The UNU Global Seminar is an annual programme designed to enhance awareness about global issues among students and young professionals in Japan by providing them an opportunity for active interaction with international scholars and experts. Undergraduate students (junior year and above) and postgraduate students in Japanese universities as well as recent graduates are eligible to apply. Applicants must understand both English and Japanese languages. Approximately 50 students will be selected from among the applicants to participate in the four-day seminar.

The participation fee is Japanese yen 30,000, which includes seminar materials, meals, and three nights' accommodation. International students who are not receiving a scholarship for their study in Japan may apply for a waiver of this fee. Applications must be submitted to the Tohoku UNU Global Seminar Secretariat no later than 26 July 2002. Application forms are available from the Secretariat (telephone: 03-3499-2811; fax 03-3499-2828; e-mail: gstohoku@hq.unu.edu). Further information and application forms are also available from the UNU website at http://archive.unu.edu/globseminar/index.htm.

The UNU Global Seminar - Tohoku Session will open with keynote lectures by His Excellency Mr. Afrab Seth (Ambassador of India to Japan), Mr. Shiro Asano (Governor of Miyagi Prefecture) and Mr. Karl Leifland (Minister of the Embassy of Sweden in Japan). Other scheduled lecturers include Dr. Yasutaka Iguchi and Prof. Tadahiro Ohmi (Tohoku University), Prof. Koichi Ogasawara (Saitama University), Mr. Hitoshi Nakazato (Tohoku Welfare Association "Sendan no Mori") and Prof. Mari Osawa (University of Tokyo). Individual sessions will focus on "Science, Technology and Life in the 21st Century," "Welfare Society in the 21st Century," and "Gender and Welfare." There will also be a panel discussion on "Gender, Science and Technology" and a guidance session on finding employment with international organizations. A preliminary programme is attached.

The 10 September opening ceremony and keynote lectures, which are open to the public, will be held at the Sendai City Information and Industry Plaza. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend. Other seminar sessions will take place on the campus of Tohoku University.

The UNU Global Seminar - Tohoku Session is organized by UNU with support from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Miyagi Prefectural Government and the City of Sendai, with collaboration by several local universities. It joins the series of UNU Global Seminars that are held throughout Japan each year. Other UNU Global Seminars this year include the Shimane Session ("Prevention and Resolution of Conflict") and Hokkaido Session ("Information and Media in the Age of Globalization") in August, Shonan Session ("Cross-border Movement of People") in September, Kobe-Awaji Session ("Building Peace: Towards Inclusive Society") in October, Kanazawa Session ("Environment and Development - A Global Approach") in November and Okinawa Session ("From Conflict to Peace") in December.