1 July 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - For seven years, Mariya Asagi from Japan worked in educational and humanitarian NGOs in Afghanistan, Laos, and Myanmar. Motivated by her goal of joining the United Nations, she participated in the Primary Course of The Programme for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development in early 2025, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and held online and in Hiroshima and Tokyo, Japan, in January and February 2025.

Hiroshima University is implementing this Programme, in collaboration with the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Mariya also came to a profound realization during a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum – an experience that left her at a loss for words. She realized that people can define peace in different ways: some people fight for peace, while others fight for justice. She understood that defining peace is not only personal but also delicate. Mariya realized that peace isn't something that can be imposed from the outside. An individual understanding of peace is important to spreading the idea of peace by sharing it with others.

Having completed the 4-week training, Mariya set off on a one-year UN Volunteer assignment at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Jordan as an Associate Programme Officer. There, she hopes to apply the knowledge she gained from the Primary Course, particularly on the workings and mandates of the UN system. 

Mariya is determined to adopt a flexible approach during her UNV assignment, reminding herself that the peace process is not linear and needs to be adjusted according to what is happening on the ground.

Thanks to the course, Mariya feels better prepared for a career as a development professional. She hopes to propose sustainable solutions during the transition from the emergency crisis phase to the peacebuilding phase. She aspires to contribute to creating a fairer world where individuals can live with dignity and peace of mind.

Although I'm still navigating many uncertainties, I feel genuinely motivated by the opportunity to contribute in some way through my work on the ground. Witnessing the instability surrounding refugee situations and how it affects aid delivery can be challenging at times, inspiring me to keep making a meaningful difference. I aim to continually improve by embracing each opportunity to contribute.”

—Mariya Asagi, The Primary Course alum, Japan

The original version of this article was published on the website of the Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD) Office of Hiroshima University.