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         17 June 2004
PR/E23/04
 
 
 
PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM ON "FAIR GLOBALIZATION": 1 JULY AT UN HOUSE IN TOKYO

"Globalization" is a crucial yet divisive issue - one that will affect the future of each one of us, individual countries as well as the destiny of our globe. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently warned that we now stand at "a fork in the road." If we take the correct turn, it is in our power to make the world safer, fairer, and more ethical, inclusive and prosperous for the majority of humankind. But if we choose the wrong path, if we prevaricate and ignore the road signs, the world we all share may slide into further spirals of political turbulence, conflicts and wars.

On Thursday, 1 July 2004, United Nations University (UNU) will host a public symposium entitled "In Pursuit of an Inclusive Global Community - A Fair Globalization in a Turbulent World." This full-day symposium, which is being held in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), will begin at 10:00 AM at UN House in Tokyo.

Symposium participants will discuss a report published earlier this year by the ILO's World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. That report, A Fair Globalization: Creating Opportunities for All, analyses the dynamics of globalization based on six broad policy themes. It calls for a focus on, and greater accountability to, people; democratic and effective states; sustainable development; productive and equitable markets; fair rules; solidarity and deeper partnerships; and a more effective effort by the United Nations.

The symposium's morning session will open with remarks by Mr. Shinichi Hasegawa, Assistant Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare, and UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel. Mr. Padmanabha Gopinath, Executive Secretary, World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, will then present the findings of the report, followed by comments from Prof. Toshiaki Tachibanaki of Kyoto University. The afternoon session will feature talks by Mr. Taizo Nishimuro, Chairman of the Board, Toshiba Corporation, Mr. Shigeru Nakajima, Executive Director, International Affairs Dept. of Rengo, and Prof. Yozo Yokota, Chuo University/UNU. Each session will also include a roundtable discussion.

Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation will be provided. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend. The symposium is open to the public, but advance registration (by 28 June) is required. A registration reply form and symposium programme are available online at http://archive.unu.edu/hq/rector_office/events2004/events2004.html#7. Registration may also be done by e-mail (conference@hq.unu.edu) or fax (03-3499-2828). For those unable to attend, the symposium will be "webcast" live (and archived) at http://c3.unu.edu/ unuvideo/?37.

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