SWY16 - Seminars

The participants chose to participate in three seminars (each lasting 3 x 2hours) during SWY. These seminars focused on the following subjects:

Brazilian Cultures (Prof. NAKAMAKI Hirochika)

African Cultures (Prof. TAKEZAWA Shoichiro)

Global Warming and the Ocean (Prof. TSUNOGAI Shizuo)

Information Technology and Society in Modern Ages (Prof. NAGAOKA Ryosuke)
Although many people in the world use ICT in everyday life, most people have never touched a computer, nor been even close to the Internet. Unfortunately, the digital divide, e.g. the difference in knowledge about ICT, is growing every day due to rapid avancements in already highly developed countries in contrast to a slow start in many developing countries. This digital divide, mainly caused by economical and educational shortage, is further caused by today's almost monopolistic situation in the software market. A possible solution to this is the use of free and open source software and open standards. Here the communities supporting operating systems such as Linux can play a vital role. Through education of system administrators, developing countries may be able to enter the digital domain cheaper.

(Mr. IKEDA Hideo)

Sexuality and Marriage (Ms. SHIINO Wakana)
This seminar focused on differences concerning sexuality and marriage in the participant's countries. Specific topics were whether sexual relationships before marriage is accepted, the society's view on and acceptance of homosexuality, the act and responsibilities of marriage, and situation after one spouse dies. Furthermore, examples were given from certain villages in Kenya.

Mental Health (Dr. HATTORI Kuninori)
This seminar discussed various issues relating to mental health and how problems can be treated.

Youth and United Nations (Mr. Girma MULUGETTA)
Mr Mulugetta from the UN social affairs division did the lecture, giving a short introduction to the priority areas of the UN. The ten priority areas are: Education, Employment, Hunger and poverty, Health issues, The environment, Drug abuse, Delinquency, Leisure, Girls and young women, Participation in decision-making.

United Nations and United Nations University (Dr. Vinayak RAO)
Dr. Rao explained his and the UNU's perspective on some important issues like globalization, leadership.. (husker ikke helt hvilke tema som ble dekket).

United Nations Volunteers (Ms. Tahani Jawad TAHBOUB)
The UNV representative gave information about the world-wide activities of UNV. She also explained application procedures and working conditions. The seminar was finished off with a presentation on the millenium development goals (MDG). The meaning, realism and impact of the MDGs in the participating countries were discussed in small groups.

Music and Social Change (Mr. John Edward RUCYNSKI)
Music is not only for pleasure, but has also played an important part in the history of many countries. This seminar looked at the importance of music for the American civil rights movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. The slaves, mostly being illiterate, used songs for communicating important messages, escape routes, etc. Although the situation has changed, it is important to remember these songs and learn from them even today. This seminar was a motivation for starting a short series of "Protest Song Evenings", where participants would present protest songs from their own countries.