UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme - Leaders of a New Generation.
28 April 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) opened a call for applications for the "2025 UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme - Leaders of a New Generation" programme. The programme is for students attending high schools in Hiroshima Prefecture. It aims to deepen their understanding of peacebuilding, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and seeks to cultivate young leaders who can convey messages of peace from Hiroshima to the world. The programme will run from 29 June to 24 August 2025. The application deadline is 30 May 2025, 6 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).
The Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme will be held in person in both Japanese and English and is offered free of charge. Participants will work together to create proposals for projects centred on peace education, involvement of citizens (hibakusha [atomic bombing survivors]), or human rights/international law (humanitarian assistance). At the end of the programme, the Youth Ambassadors will present their proposals to leading figures on the global stage for discussion and exchange of ideas. A certificate of completion from UNITAR will be awarded at the end of the programme.
The Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme is organized by UNITAR Hiroshima Office with support from the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and in cooperation with the UNITAR Association.
Details
Programme Dates
The 2025 Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme will run on the following dates:
- Sunday, 29 June: Orientation, lectures by UN staff and international conference participants, group activities
- Sunday, 6 July: lectures by participants of international conferences on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and peacebuilding, group activities
- Sunday, 13 July: lectures by participants of international conferences on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and peacebuilding, group activities
- Sunday, 27 July: lectures on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and preparation of group presentations
- Wednesday, 6 August: Youth Ambassador presentations to leading figures and exchange of ideas (join session conducted with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government)
- Sunday, 24 August: programme completion ceremony (certification of completion to be awarded)
(Programme content and timing are subject to change.)
Eligibility
The Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme is for students who
- are attending high schools in Hiroshima Prefecture
- can engage in conversations in Japanese and English (the programme will primarily be conducted in English)
- can participate in all sessions and complete the programme
- are interested in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and peacebuilding, or are motivated to engage in international cooperation and peace activities in the future
How to Apply
Students can apply from the link below.
The application must include a 400-word essay in English that answers the following questions.
- What have you learned in peace education?
- What experiences do you have in peacebuilding or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and what did you learn from them (if any)?
- What action do you feel is important in sustainable peacebuilding and nuclear disarmament?
Deadline for Applications: Friday, 30 May 2025, 6 p.m. JST (UTC+9)
