summary
Dates: November 11, 2022 (Ethiopia) and November 13, 2022 (Djibouti)
Location: Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Djibouti, Djibouti
Main participants:.
Kouji Tsuruoka, Former Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom
Vice President Emebet Mulugeta of Addis Ababa University, Ambassador Kyoko Ito of Japan in Ethiopia, Ambassador Toshihiko Horiuchi of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the African Union
Djibouti: Mr. Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa, Director of the Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies; Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Djibouti; Mr. Kaio Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan in Djibouti
Background and Objectives
On Friday, November 11, 2022, former Japanese Ambassador to the U.K. Mr. Koji Tsuruoka delivered the “JICA Chair Special Lecture” at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia to a total of 111 students, faculty members, and government officials from the university.
This will be the third JICA Chair’s special lecture at Addis Ababa University. The country is in the midst of domestic peacebuilding and is approaching an important phase in the rebuilding of relations with the international community. Mr. Tsuruoka, who has extensive experience as a diplomat and professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, gave a lecture on Japan’s diplomacy after World War II, looking back on Japan’s history since the Edo period.
On Sunday, November 13, a similar lecture was held at the Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies for a total of 51 young diplomats and government officials from the institute.
This was the first JICA chair lecture in Djibouti. The institute is in charge of capacity building for diplomats and other officials, and this lecture was well received by the participants as it provided an opportunity to consider Djibouti’s foreign policy based on Japan’s experience.
Both institutions will also hold a book donation ceremony in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation’s Read Japan Project, and the donated books will be used for Japanese studies in both countries.
Program Content
Addis Ababa University:.
(1) Explanation of the purpose of the JICA Chair (Katsuki Morihara, Director, JICA Ethiopia Office)
(2) Opening remarks by Dr. Emebet Mulugeta, Vice President, Addis Ababa University, and Ambassador Kyoko Ito, Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia
(3) Nippon Foundation Book Donation Ceremony (Ambassador Kyoko Ito)
(4) Special Lecture “Japanese Diplomacy in a Turbulent World” by Kouji Tsuruoka, former Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom
(5) Q&A and discussion
(6) Closing remarks by Dr. Yonas Ashene, Dean, Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Addis Ababa University
Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies:.
(1) Opening remarks by Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa, Director of the Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies
(2) Explanation of the purpose of the JICA Chair (Mr. Kanada, Director)
(3) Congratulatory speeches by H.E. Mr. Kaio Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan to Djibouti, and Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti
(4) Nippon Foundation Book Donation Ceremony
(5) Lecture “Japanese Diplomacy in a Turbulent World” by Kouji Tsuruoka, former Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom
(6) Q&A and discussion
(7) Closing remarks by Mr. Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa, Director, Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies
Summary of Lecture and Q&A Session
In his lecture, Mr. Tsuruoka explained how Japan, as a non-Western country, overcame diplomatic hardships in the international order after World War II and returned to the international community only 20 years after the war, and how it has consistently and sincerely respected the rule-based international order in the midst of such hardships. He also explained how he had consistently respected the rule-based international order in the midst of such hardships. He also emphasized the importance of everyone’s constructive involvement in the maintenance and development of a rule-based international order, and the importance of investment in people and human security in global peace and stability.
In response to questions such as “How has Japan achieved pacifism and respect for the rule-based international order? If results are not being achieved, it is necessary to identify the causes and make efforts to solve them together, and for this purpose, equal partnership, not pressure, is necessary, and it is important for each country to have an attitude of respect for national diversity and sincere reflection on its history. He also mentioned that JICA’s steady cooperation with Africa and TICAD, which has continued for 30 years, reflect the spirit of the above points.
Djibouti] Mr. Tsuruoka explained, looking back on his own experience and history, that diplomacy is important for small and medium-sized countries, and that Japan, in particular, has promoted diplomacy with the greatest priority placed on maintaining international peace. After the lecture, participants asked a variety of questions, including the role of women in diplomacy, Japan’s position in the war in Ukraine, and the diplomatic skills needed to protect one’s own interests. Ms. Tsuruoka spoke about the war in Ukraine and the need for the international community to take a united stance against violations of international law, as tolerating such violations would lead to further violations and eventually war. As for the diplomatic skills needed, Mr. Tsuruoka answered that the key is “Honesty” and that it is important to build and accumulate trust, even if it is not 100%, as even a half step forward is a good thing.
JICA will continue to place importance on building a relationship of trust with both countries and will develop support for human resource development.
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