The UNU Global Seminar is an annual programme designed to enhance international awareness among the student population in Japan through active interaction with scholars and experts working in the UNU's global networks. Undergraduate students (junior year and above), those in postgraduate courses in Japanese universities, and recent graduates are eligible to apply. Applicants must understand both English and Japanese languages. Approximately 50 students are selected from the applicants to participate in the four-day course.

The participation fee of Japanese Yen 35,000, which includes seminar materials, meals, and three nights' accommodation, may be waived for students from developing countries. Applications must be submitted to the UNU Global Seminar Secretariat no later than 30 June 2000. Application forms are available from the Secretariat (telephone: 078-291-0641; fax: 078-291-0691). The keynote lecturers will be Prof. Tamotsu Aoki of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and Prof. Yuzo Itagaki of Tokyo Keizai University. Other scheduled lecturers include Prof. Mojtaba Sadria (Chuo University), Governor Toshitami Kaibara (Hyogo Prefecture), Prof. Betty Reardon, (Columbia University), Prof. Hiroshi Kimura (International Research Center for Japanese Studies), Dr. Jean-Marc Coicaud (UNU), Mr. Tadashi Yamamoto (Japan Center for International Exchange), and Mr. Jitsujo Arima (Shanti Volunteer Association). Ms. Mitsuko Ito of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs will conduct a guidance session for those interested in working in international organizations.

Individual sessions will focus on "Dialogue of Civilizations," "Crisis and Civilizations," "Cultural Values and International Negotiations" and "Civil Society in Diverse Cultures." A preliminary programme is attached.

The UNU Global Seminar - Kobe Session is jointly organized by the UNU and Kobe International Center for Cooperation and Communication, with Kobe University, Osaka University, and Kyoto University collaborating to plan and organize the seminar.

This Kobe Session is one of a series of UNU Global Seminars that are held each year. Other seminars this year are the Shimane Session ("Northeast Asia and the World in the 21st Century") and Hokkaido Session ("The State and Ethnic Groups in the 21st Century") in August, the Shonan Session ("Challenges to the United Nations in the 21st Century") in September, and the Okinawa Session ("Gender and Public Policy in the New Millennium") in December.