Connecting with People around the World for a Peaceful Future
Global human resources nurtured at JWU require not only English proficiency for communication but also an understanding of current world events, and of the countries, peoples, cultures, societies, and ways of thinking that make up our world. Japan’s Constitution, in Article 9, renounces war and declares a pacifism that aspires to world peace. For us, connecting with people around the world for a peaceful future is essential. This requires cultivating the qualities and abilities to understand, respect, and coexist with other cultures.
Since its founding in 1901, JWU, under the leadership of its founder Jinzo Naruse, has provided “peace” education. We believe that by understanding and respecting not only themes such as war and peace but also issues close to us, such as gender, equality, and diversity, we can contribute to the realization of a peaceful future. From kindergarten through university, we provide education that fosters global competence in various forms.
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 Contributes to World Peace
Goal
- Learn about world affairs and their backgrounds.
- Understand one’s own opinions and discuss with diverse people.
- Think about what one can do and take action.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Regarding world affairs (gender, diversity, equality, peace, etc.) and the issues we face (war, poverty, human rights violations, environmental destruction, etc.):
・Be able to think about their background
・Be able to hold one’s own opinions and discuss with diverse people
・ Be able to consider what one can do and take action
Programs
- Special liberal arts lectures
- Liberal arts courses (e.g., Peace Studies, SOCIAL AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF JAPAN)
- University-accredited short-term study abroad programs (Cambodia Short-term Study Abroad, Overseas Social Work Research, Cross-cultural Understanding Research, etc.)(in Japanese, opens in new tab）
- Student self-governance activities
High School Affiliated with JWU
Learning About and Deepening Understanding of Peace Issues in Japan and Abroad
Goal
- Learn about peace issues and organize one’s own opinions.
- Share ideas with peers and develop them further.
- Consider what one can do and put it into action.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Understand and respect different positions and values, and accept diverse perspectives.
- Communicate the importance of peace to others and take the initiative toward its realization.
Programs
- Field study (Peace and Human Rights) in Regional Studies for all 3rd-year students (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Fundraising activities by the Student Council’s Economics Division
- Publication of the “Peace Newsletter” (about twice a year), donation of stationery, and donation of proceeds from the school uniform bazaar by the Student Council’s General Affairs Division
- Peace studies in classes across subjects (1st-year required: Contemporary Japanese Language, Comprehensive History; 2nd-year required: Literary Japanese, Public; 3rd-year required: Literary Japanese; electives: Politics & Economics, etc.)
- Special lectures on peace and human rights at “Chi no Izumi” (about twice a year) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Māori cultural experience during the New Zealand study program
Junior High School Affiliated with JWU
Experiencing the Importance of Peace
Goal
- Cultivate an attitude of respecting others by taking interest in cultures and ways of thinking different from one’s own.
- Learn about past wars, view current wars and conflicts as personal issues, and think about and carry out actions toward building peace.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Observe conditions on site, hear directly from experts, and think deeply about the importance of peace.
- Learn about and respect diverse cultures and religions, and develop an attitude of working peacefully on global issues.
Programs
- Visit to Tokyo Camii Mosque (optional for 1st-year students) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- International understanding class on peacebuilding in Afghanistan (mandatory for all 2nd-year students) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Hiroshima peace studies (optional off-campus class for 3rd-year students) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Study program in Singapore and Malaysia (optional off-campus class for 3rd-year students)
- Fukushima field study (Hope Tourism – learning in disaster-affected areas) (optional for 3rd-year students)
Homei Elementary School Affiliated with JWU
Looking Out to the World and Broadening One’s Own Horizons
Goal
- Take an interest in the cultures of countries around the world.
- Compare the cultures of other countries and Japan.
- Recognize the appeal of Japan.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Experience the diverse cultures of eight countries through English and understand differences.
- Listen with interest to talks on Korean culture.
- Read stories about war, feel the history that occurred in Japan, focus on peace in everyday life, and build mutual understanding with friends.
- Interact with diverse cultures and understand differences.
- Learn about differences and diverse values by exploring “festivals” from various countries.
Programs
- International Understanding Program (eight countries) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Lecture on Korea for 3rd-year students (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Lessons using peace education materials (Japanese language classes, grades 3–6)
- Exchange with international students from the University (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Learning about overseas countries and cultures in preparation for the 120th anniversary festival
Homei Kindergarten Affiliated with JWU
Expressing Oneself, Recognizing Each Other’s Strengths, and Cooperating
Goal
- Recognize and try to express oneself.
- Accept others and live together.
- Take an interest in Japan and the world.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Experience the joy of living together while interacting with others.
- Take an interest in Japan and the world.
Programs
- Express oneself in a secure environment.
- Interact with friends during play and notice others’ feelings.
- Recognize each other’s strengths and cooperate in play.
- Gain interest in Japanese and world games, cultures, and other topics. (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
