Fostering the Ability to Listen to Diverse Voices and Shape the Future
Global human resources fostered at Japan Women’s University require not only the English proficiency needed for communication, but also an awareness of what is happening in the world and an understanding of diverse countries, peoples, cultures, societies, and ways of thinking. The ability to embrace diversity and empathize with others is essential for connecting with people around the world.
Thinking about global issues as matters that concern us personally and engaging with the world will help us shape the future. To do so, we must cultivate the qualities and abilities to listen to others, understand different cultures, and live together with mutual respect. From kindergarten through university, we provide education that fosters global competence in a variety of ways.
Goals for Participants in the Global Competence Program – Integrated Education
Aims of Global Competence Education and Program Characteristics at Each Educational Stage
University
Becoming a Person Who Can Act with Empathy for the Future
Goals
- Learn about world affairs and explain their backgrounds in one’s own words.
- Exchange opinions with diverse people and empathize with them.
- Consider what one can do and present a concrete plan of action.
Programs
- Special Liberal Arts Lectures.
- Liberal arts courses (e.g., Peace Studies, Social and International Relations of Japan, etc.).
- University-approved short-term study abroad programs (Cambodia Short-Term Study Program, Overseas Social Work Research, Cross-Cultural Understanding Research, etc.).
- Community engagement course (“Social Issues and NPOs/NGOs”).
High School Affiliated with JWU
Developing the Ability to Apply Learning from a Global Perspective
Goals
- Develop an understanding of diversity, empathy, listening skills, and the ability to build consensus through dialogue.
- Develop the ability to view events and issues in one’s surroundings as personally relevant and take action.
- Develop the ability to apply learning from a global perspective.
- Develop the ability to act independently and flexibly through participation in the school’s long-standing tradition of diverse student self-governance activities.
Programs
- Learning about current events and developments in Japan and abroad through required geography, history, and civics classes.
- “Examining Contemporary Society” and other programs offered as part of the Saturday Special Lecture Series “Fountain of Knowledge” (the AY2025 theme was refugee issues).
- Exchange events with foreign internship trainees from Mount Holyoke College in the United States.
Junior High School Affiliated with JWU
Recognizing Social Issues and Considering Them as Personally Relevant
Goals
- Reflect on oneself and deepen self-understanding.
- Exchange opinions with people from various countries and become aware of biases in oneself and society.
- Share ideas for applying what one has learned to the future.
Programs
- Global Studies Program.
- Zoom exchange with junior high school students in Finland.
- Visit to Tokyo Camii Mosque (optional for first-year students).
- Global competence class on peacebuilding in Afghanistan (all second-year students).
- Hiroshima Peace Studies (optional off-campus class for third-year students).
- Singapore and Malaysia Study Program (optional off-campus class for third-year students).
- Fukushima Inquiry-Based Learning (Hope Tourism: learning in disaster-affected areas) (optional for third-year students).
- Global Competence Workshop.
Homei Elementary School Affiliated with JWU
Looking Out to the World and Broadening One’s Horizons
Goals
- Take an interest in the cultures of countries around the world.
- Compare the cultures of other countries with that of Japan.
- Recognize and appreciate the positive qualities of Japan.
Programs
- International Understanding Program (nine countries).
- Lecture on Korea (third-year students).
- Lessons using peace education materials (Japanese language classes, grades 3–6).
- Exchange with international students from the University.
- Exchange of creative works with Denmark.
- New Zealand Homestay Program.
Homei Kindergarten Affiliated with JWU
Expressing Oneself, Recognizing Each Other’s Strengths, and Cooperating
Goals
- Express oneself while recognizing and accepting others in everyday life.
- Take an interest in the world and seek to learn more about it.
