The courses, which will be taught in English, are intended to give students a deeper understanding of selected global issues as well as help them to sharpen their analytical and problem-solving skills and develop specific research skills. Each course will be taught by a team of both in-house and outside experts, including practitioners from a number of different UN organizations. These courses are open to postgraduate students and professionals from Japan and abroad who are interested in working in international fields in public service or private organizations, including the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), multinational corporations and national foreign-service agencies. Tuition is ¥100,000 for one course or ¥150,000 for two courses (the maximum that can be taken simultaneously). Participants from developing countries who take two courses and who can successfully demonstrate a need for financial assistance are invited to apply for a limited number of UNU fellowships.

The UNU/IC programme is offered annually as an integral part of the UNU's training and capacity-building activities. Participants who successfully complete a course of the UNU/IC will receive a UNU certificate of completion.

Those who wish to enroll in the 2003 UNU/IC programme should visit the UNU website (http://archive.unu.edu/ic/) for a copy of the course brochure and applications forms. The deadline for applications is 20 January 2003.

For further information, please contact Ms. Wilma James at the UNU Centre: tel. +81-3-3499-2811, fax +81-3-3499-2828, e-mail Wilma James.

* These courses will be supported by the Yutaka Akino Memorial Donation from the Government of Japan and are designated the "Akino Memorial Courses for 2003."