summary
Symposium Title
Global Refugee Forum Symposium
～To support refugees in “society as a whole” now.
“Working Together for Solutions and Inclusion.”
date(s) (e.g. for exhibition)
May 31, 2023
organizing
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), JICA
Location
Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development International Conference Hall
Main Participants
opening address
Shunsuke Takei, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Katsura Miyazaki, JICA Director
keynote speech
Kelly Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees
panel discussion
Ms. Kaoru Nemoto, Director of the United Nations Information and Communications Center (facilitator), Mr. Anas Hijazee, a graduate of the Syrian International Student Refugee (JISR) Program, Ms. Takako Ito (Fast Retailing Sustainability Department), Mr. Kenya Takehisa, Mayor of Setouchi, Ms. Maiko Fujii (Save the Children Japan Overseas Operations Department), Mr. Ryutaro Murotani (Head of Peacebuilding Department, Governance and Peacebuilding Division, JICA) Department), Ryutaro Murotani (Director, Peacebuilding Office, Governance and Peacebuilding Department, JICA)
background
The Global Compact on Refugees, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, calls for a “society-wide approach to refugee support. The Global Refugee Forum (GRF) will be held from December 13 to 15 this year to promote the Global Compact.
The GRF is a forum where governments, the private sector, NGOs/civil society, local governments, refugees, and others come together to share their experiences and knowledge, discuss ways to improve the situation surrounding refugees and stateless people, and declare their commitment to resolving the issue, Japan will serve as co-chair of the second annual symposium, along with Colombia, France, Jordan, Niger, and Uganda. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the visit of UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements to Japan, representatives from various sectors that the GRF focuses on will take the stage as panelists to share their experiences and knowledge of refugee assistance and refugee problem solving in Japan and abroad, and to discuss how we can work together to promote “society-wide efforts to support refugees”. The panelists shared their experiences and knowledge of refugee support and refugee problem solving in Japan and abroad, and discussed what Japan can do to promote “society-wide refugee support.
Keynote address by JICA Director Miyazaki Keynote address by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Clementz
Contents
In his opening remarks, Vice-Minister Takei introduced the Whole-of-Society Approach as outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), emphasizing the G7’s commitment to the protection and rights of refugees in the Leaders’ Declaration of the G7 Summit held in Hiroshima in May. He emphasized the commitment of the G7 to protect and defend the rights of refugees in the Leaders’ Declaration of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May, and mentioned the need for continued cooperation by the international community with the second GRF in December this year in mind.
JICA Executive Director Miyazaki introduced JICA’s refugee initiatives in Uganda, noting that this is an important time for the GRF to renew its commitment to refugee issues around the world and to promote cooperation with various partners. JICA will also be actively involved in coordinating its contribution to the GRF in cooperation with the Japanese government.
In his keynote speech, High Commissioner Clements reminded the audience of the importance of Burden Sharing and the whole-of-society approach referred to in the GCR, and emphasized the role of the Japanese private sector, including Fast Retailing, in supporting refugees. He also commended local governments for their inclusive approach to refugee reception and community building, taking diversity into consideration. He also noted that there is a limit to what UNHCR alone can do in recent years, when funding difficulties in humanitarian assistance have become more pronounced internationally, and stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of forced displacement and working toward solutions (Solutions), including refugee participation in economic activities, protection frameworks, and development issues, He expressed his expectations for the commitment of the international community in the GRF.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Murotani, Director of JICA’s Peacebuilding Division, referring to JICA’s efforts in Uganda to assist refugees to become self-reliant and to develop an integrated development plan that integrates the needs of refugees and host society, stated that refugees are not only the target of assistance but also have the potential to contribute to self-reliance and development. He stated that refugees are not only eligible for assistance, but also have the potential to contribute to self-reliance and development, and that development cooperation, including cooperation with the private sector, can contribute to expanding the potential of refugees.
Mr. Hijazee introduced his own experience with the JISR program, noting that from the day he arrived in Japan, JISR enabled him to see his future, including future employment, and that the personal consultation support he received helped him adjust smoothly to Japanese society, and that study abroad programs involving families are few and far between in the world, The flexibility of the JISR program to adapt to the needs and circumstances of the refugees was also highly appreciated.
Mr. Ito introduced Fast Retailing’s history of raising employee awareness of refugee issues through the donation of clothing to refugees, and how it has also improved the attractiveness of the company. He also introduced the employment of refugees at Fast Retailing’s stores in Japan, noting that stores where refugee shoppers can work smoothly are good workplaces with environments that respect the diversity of the staff.
From Save the Children’s efforts in Uganda, Ms. Fujii explained the high need for psychosocial care among refugees and the significant community-based role that NGOs can play, including as a form of complementing and supporting the government’s role in child welfare by listening to the people’s hearts and minds.
Mayor Takehisa stated that local governments can also contribute to diplomacy from a different standpoint than the national government, and introduced efforts to gain understanding from the council and citizens regarding the 10 million yen donation to UNHCR. He stated that he emphasizes continuity in the form of (returned) donations through the Furusato tax system, which does not rely solely on people’s goodwill. As the only basic local government in Japan with two leprosy sanatoriums, he also spoke of his desire not to repeat the history of segregation and exclusion.
In closing, Mr. Hijazee said that refugees are not here just to ask for help, but that they can work together to solve social problems in Japan.
Panel Discussion
Prior to the symposium, JICA Director Miyazaki and UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Clements exchanged views on the linkage between humanitarian and development with the GRF in mind. The participants discussed ways to relate and disseminate JICA’s efforts to the larger framework of the GRF.
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