The United Nations University will hold a press briefing on Monday, 14 September 1998 from 15.00 hours at the UNU Headquarters (5th floor Committee Room No. 1) to announce the forthcoming launch of its "UNU International Courses" (UNU/IC).

The UNU/IC are aimed at select groups of postgraduate students and professional people from Japan and abroad who are seeking positions in international fields, including the United Nations, and national foreign-service organizations. They will be held at the UNU Centre in Tokyo and organized in close cooperation with the UNU’s research and training centres and programmes (RTC/Ps) and other United Nations agencies. In addition to regular lectures, the UNU/IC will employ a range of educational modalities, including seminars, workshops, conferences, as well as print, broadcast, and multimedia products. The number of participants is limited to 15-20 per course, and English-language proficiency is essential.

The UNU/IC will offer an initial set of six-week modular course in the spring of 1999 on the following topics: “The United Nations System: Structure and Activities”; “Environment and Sustainable Development”; “International Trade and Dispute Settlement”; and “Human Rights: Concept and Issues.” Teachers will include the UNU’s academic staff from the UNU Centre and the RTC/Ps, as well as adjunct professors, researchers involved in UNU projects, prominent international scholars and professional experts in the respective fields, and representatives of UN agencies and internationally oriented organizations.

Participants will receive a certificate for successfully completing a course; they will be granted a UNU diploma for the completion of five courses. The UNU will request international organizations, including UN agencies, to take these certificates and diplomas into account when they are included in an employment application dossier. In addition, the UNU will help to make arrangements with the United Nations and other relevant organizations to provide internships for successful UNU/IC participants.

Also at the press briefing, details of the UN Day Symposium to be held on 23 October will be announced. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Symposium will focus on the human rights and the role of the United Nations. Participants include Dr. Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the briefing.

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For further information, please contact:

UNU Public Affairs Section:     Tel.: (03) 5467-1243, -1246     Fax: (03) 3406-7346

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