Division For Prosperity Newsletter – August 2023

Major News

UNITAR

UNITAR’s 60th Anniversary and UNITAR Hiroshima Office’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

This year marks UNITAR’s 60th and UNITAR Hiroshima Office’s 20th anniversaries. To celebrate this special occasion with its partners, supporters and the public, UNITAR held several events in Japan. UNITAR is thankful for all the support it has received over the years and reaffirm our commitment to continue training and empowering changemakers around the world. Learn more about the events here.

Hands of business people signing a contract

Photo by a_medvedkov, Envato Elements

UNITAR Embarks on New Partnerships

UNITAR signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoU) to embark on new partnerships. On 28 June, UNITAR signed an MoU with Pasona Group Incorporated to contribute to the digital upskilling of women and youth. On 5 July, UNITAR announced a new partnership with Princeton in Asia wherein a Princeton in Asia intern will work at the UNITAR Hiroshima Office as a leadership and inclusion trainee. On 7 July, UNITAR and JICUITANG (Shanghai) Information Technology signed an MoU to collaborate on micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) development in support of the SDGs. UNITAR began a collaboration with the Hiroshima Corporation for Higher Education that established Eikei University of Hiroshima to develop young people’s talents to address and overcome pressing global challenges.

UNITAR

“‘Peace & XX Ideation’ – Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Futures” Youth Pitch Event

On 6 August 2023, UNITAR held a public youth pitch event “‘Peace & XX’ Ideation – Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Futures” at Eikei University in Hiroshima. Thirty-nine youth living in Japan discussed nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation for a sustainable future and presented their ideas to a panel of experts. The panellists emphasized the importance of youth taking action to bring about a sustainable future of their dreams.

Photo by AnnaStills, Envato Elements

Digital Upskilling Programme for Ukrainian Women in Poland

The UNITAR Bolstering Livelihoods: Digital Reskilling for Ukrainian Women in Poland training programme is starting in September 2023. The programme, delivered in partnership with Pasona Group Incorporated, Ukrainian and Polish institutions and organizations, will equip Ukrainian women taking refuge in Poland with digital skills and so they have more opportunities to secure decent employment and sources of income. The programme, which will run until end-March 2024, is offered free of charge thanks to the financial support of the Government and People of Japan. The deadline for applications is extended until 11 September 2023.

About 15 people are seated in black leather chairs around a long, gleaming table in a carpeted meeting room. Some people are jotting notes on the paper before them, others are looking at the blue slides projected on the screen on the wall (far center).

Photo by Fudan University

Forging Partnerships in China

In June 2023, UNITAR Division for Prosperity Director Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto travelled to Shanghai, China, to forge new partnerships that will enable UNITAR to promote high-quality learning services and solutions in China. UNITAR and JICUITANG (Shanghai) Information Technology held an MoU signing ceremony wherein the organizations committed to developing training services in small and medium-sized enterprise development, risk management and SDGs development. Ms. Kumamoto also visited Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, Shanghai Service Industries Development & Research Foundation and Fudan University to exchange ideas on the Shanghai Climate Week programme and discuss climate change, SDGs training, youth sustainable development and revitalizing cultural heritage in rural areas in China.

A laptop, a headphone, a pencil and a notebook placed on a wooden table.

Photo by mstandret, Envato Elements

Great Ideas Space Entrepreneurship Programme for Entrepreneurs and Innovators in Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, South Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa

Three out of four Great Ideas Space 2023 training programmes were launched this month! Women entrepreneurs, business leaders and those running MSMEs will join four programmes. The Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon programme, which focuses on health security and economic development, welcomed 200 participants. The South Sudan programme, which advances innovation for food security, accepted 326 participants. The programme in Afghanistan, which trains on key topics in entrepreneurship for job creation and food security, brought on 249 participants. The sub-Saharan Africa programme, centred around entrepreneurship and financial literacy, will launch the programme soon. These programmes further develop participants’ entrepreneurial mindsets and skills to help advance their communities and address social problems through innovative solutions.

UNITAR

Reappointment of UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Dai Tamesue

On 30 June 2023, UNITAR announced the reappointment of renowned Japanese athlete Mr Dai Tamesue as UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador. This marks the third year of Mr Tamesue’s partnership with UNITAR. The Goodwill Ambassador, who is a Hiroshima native and a third-generation hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor), has supported UNITAR by raising public awareness about the SDGs, peace and UNITAR learning programmes. Mr Tamesue shared his insights on the opportunities, challenges and needs of today’s youth at the “Empowering Changemakers: A Force for Sustainable Futures” forum on 1 July 2023. UNITAR is honoured to continue working with Mr Tamesue.

Piled collection of paper cubes featuring the SDG logos placed on a table with flyers and SDG pins.

UNITAR

UNITAR Association’s Seminar on SDGs

On 5 June 2023, Hiroshima companies gathered for a UNITAR Association seminar on the SDGs. The seminar offered an opportunity for companies to reflect on the philosophical and practical lessons they have learned while advancing the SDGs and integrating the SDGs into their businesses.

An exhibit space featuring a vertical banner on the left with the SDGs. There are three smaller posters on the wall (center) featuring a male, an information about UNITAR's training programme, and a woman. On the lower center is a white table where a laptop is placed in the center surrounded by flyers.

UNITAR

Vienna Exhibit of the UNITAR Hiroshima Training Programme on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

From 31 July to 11 August 2023, UNITAR held an exhibit in Vienna, themed “Dialogue as a key to achieving global peace”. The exhibit featured the UNITAR Hiroshima Training Programme on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation and included alumni testimonials. It was held alongside the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Our Impact

A woman from a Pacific small island developing state stands in front an audience (not shown) as she holds a large piece of white paper containing some texts which she is reading. Behind her are the flags of Samoa and Japan (both partially hidden) and the United Nations flag – all hanging on flagpoles.

UNITAR

A Passion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Tonga

Talita Tuipolutu is a Tongan national who is passionate about disaster risk reduction and management in Tonga. Talita and her colleagues created a disaster risk management strategy for a hypothetical situation in Samoa as part of the UNITAR Hiroshima Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme.

Tariq Rauf, expert trainer. He is shown wearing a black suit as he stands (right side of the photo) while facing an audience (not shown). Behind him is a large glass window featuring a city view.

UNITAR

Meet Our Expert: Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Tariq Rauf is an expert trainer for UNITAR’s Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme with a deep commitment to and wealth of experience on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. He believes the UNITAR programme, by bringing diplomats to Hiroshima, fills a critical gap and centres the humanitarian cost of nuclear warfare in the nuclear disarmament debate.

A smiling young Vietnamese woman wearing a black blazer suit as outer wear. She is is sitting on a chair and behind her is a glass window showing the view outside including the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome (right) and on her left a book shelf where small flags of Japan and the United Nations stands forming an X shape.

UNITAR

A Young Vietnamese Diplomat’s Vision for World Peace and the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Lê Nguyen An Khanh, is a young Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, who works in diplomacy and is passionate about contributing to the development of her country. Lê completed the 2022 UNITAR’s Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme and believes peace is a universal value which is needed for the development and stability of every country.

A photo of a Filipina standing (center). She is holding a microphone as she speaks and beside her (left and right) are women from different nationalities. They are seated while listening to the Filipina woman.

UNITAR

Renewed Perspective of Disaster Risk Reduction

Nikki Antonette De Vera is an Filipina alum of the UNITAR Hiroshima Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day. Nikki is an advocate for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Her participation in the UNITAR Hiroshima Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme brought a transformative shift in her perspective of DRR, igniting a renewed commitment to DRR within her.

UNITAR

Teaching Asian Diplomats to Promote Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Since 2016, Yurij Kryvonos has been training diplomats through UNITAR’s Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (NDNP) Training Programme in Hiroshima. Yurij sees the UNITAR programme as a piece of the broader United Nations work in peace and disarmament education. He is confident that the programme participants learn real-world knowledge and skills to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation within their ministries and on the international scene.

UNITAR

Nuclear Disarmament Training Programme Gives Invaluable Lessons to Malaysian Diplomat

Malaysian diplomat Mohd Ishrin Bin Mohd Ishak was deeply moved by his visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park during the UNITAR’s Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme. He gained invaluable insights in the training that will help him advance his country’s interests in achieving regional and global peace.

Announcements

Call for Applications: Youth Ambassador Asia-Pacific 2023

Applications are open for interested Asia-Pacific high school students (aged 14-17 years) to apply for the UNITAR Youth Ambassador Asia Pacific Programme 2023.

For 10 consecutive Saturdays starting 23 September 2023, Youth Ambassadors will join webinars and mentoring sessions with professionals in the field to develop and practice skills in critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, communication and leadership. They will join a network of experts and like-minded peers in the Asia-Pacific and collaborate on developing innovative solutions to global and social issues.

The deadline for applications is 1 September 2023. Apply here.

Call for Applications: UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023

UNITAR invites women from around the world, particularly those living in or from the Pacific small island developing states and the Asian region, to apply to join the UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023.

The 10-week online programme will teach the participants how to develop inclusive disaster risk reduction plans that match the needs of their communities. Participants will learn from Japan’s experiences with major disasters and its reconstruction efforts, as well as from experiences from the Pacific and Asian regions. The deadline to apply is 1 September 2023. Apply here.

Call for Applications: Developing Green Livelihoods for Women and Youth in Africa: Strengthening Food Security, Supporting Climate-Resilient Economies

Women and youth in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are invited to apply for the Developing Green Livelihoods for Women and Youth in Africa: Strengthening Food Security, Supporting Climate-Resilient Economies.

Over six months, participants will learn entrepreneurial and digital skills so they can develop climate-resilient businesses and create inclusive, environmentally responsible and viable employment and livelihood opportunities. The deadline for applications is 4 September 2023. Apply here.

Call for Applications: Developing Essential Digital Skills for Women and Youth in Africa: Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Livelihood Development in the Digital Economy

Applications are open for women and youth in Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to apply for the UNITAR programme Developing Essential Digital Skills for Women and Youth in Africa: Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Livelihood Development in the Digital Economy.

The six-month free training programme will teach participants high-demand digital skills so they can develop socially responsible digital start-ups. Participants will strengthen and improve their leadership and entrepreneurial skills to drive change and innovation in their communities. The deadline for applications is 4 September 2023. Apply here.

Launching of the Third Phase of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment III (GEWE III) Programme

On 11 July 2023, UNITAR Division for Prosperity launched the third phase of its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment III (GEWE III) online training programme to build the leadership and gender-responsive capacities of 36 government officials in Jordan and Lebanon to address gender inequalities. The programme aims to strengthen the officials’ advocacy and communication skills to inspire and promote gender-sensitive communities, share good practices and encourage gender equality.