From 2024, the Hiroshima Training Component of the Primary Course will be delivered over 4 weeks by Hiroshima University, in close cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Volunteer Programme (UNV). Around 13 participants from Japan and 10 participants from other countries are invited to participate in the course. 

Participants from the following countries and organisations are invited to participate: Bangladesh, Fiji, El Salvador, Ukraine, Lebanon, Palestine, Mali, South Sudan, Uganda and African Union Commission (AUC) (please note that for the African Union Commission, the application process is not open to the public and depends on arrangements with AUC).

The information on this page is taken from the Primary Course Application Guidelines for Non-Japanese Applicants. Please be sure to read these Guidelines before applying. The Application Guidelines and other relevant documents can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

Week 1 (online): January 26 - February 1, 2025

Weeks 2 to 4 (in-person training in Tokyo for 2 days and Higashi-Hiroshima City for all other days): February 2-22, 2025

This course has been designed around the "5Ps" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely People, Peace, Planet, Prosperity and Partnerships. The training will cover three main themes:

• Substantive Knowledge such as the guiding principles of the United Nations: multilateral approaches to preventing and addressing conflicts; economic, social and environmental frameworks such as the SDGs and international conventions; and emerging issues, such as the impact of new technologies and social media on peace and development activities.
• Effective Working Skills such as program planning and project management skills, including theory of change, gender mainstreaming, and monitoring and evalution and soft skills such as communication and negotiation.
• Career Development Skills such as UN competencies, values and behaviors; career planning; mental health and well-being; and interview preparation.

Instructors are current or former staff members of international organizations, as well as experts in the fields of peacebuilding and development from Hiroshima University and other institutions. 

Tokyo and Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan (about 4 hours by bullet train from Tokyo). Training will take place on the campus of Hiroshima University. Program associates will stay in this facility:  https://miraicrea.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/

No fees will be charged for non-Japanese participants accepted for the training. The costs of the in-person training in Japan (February 2 - 22, 2025) will be covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (travel fees to/from country of origin and Japan; travel within Japan; insurance; accommodation; and a daily allowance to cover other expenses).

1. A strong will to work in the field of peacebuilding and/or international development in the future
2. At least two years of work experience in peacebuilding and/or development-related fields (e.g., law, public administration, economic development, education, public health, logistics support, IT, human resources, media, environment, etc.)
3. A university degree (Bachelor's degree) or equivalent
4. Aged 25 or older and under 40 on the date of application
5. English proficiency equivalent to scores of or above 90 on TEOFL iBT, 900 on TOEIC, or 6.5 on IELTS
6. Health condition suitable for participation in the program and the ability to attend the entire duration of the Course. Selected applications may be asked to submit a Certificate of Good Health prior to the training.

Please send the following documents by email to gpad-primary@office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp. In the subject line, please write "Application for Primary Course."  The documents can be downloaded from "9. Application documents" at the bottom of this page.

1. 2024 Primary Course - Application Form (with photo)
2. Essay about your career plan in the field of peacebuilding and/or development following the completion of this program (in English and no more than 500 words in free format)
3. Certificate of English proficiency. The applicant needs to submit either a certificate or a score sheet of an English proficiency test such as TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS taken in the last five years. A photocopy is acceptable. In cases where the applicant cannot submit such a document, reference to the applicant's command of English may be made in a Letter of Recommendation and used as a substitute.

If you don't receive a confirmation email from Hiroshima University within a few days after your submission, please contact us again by email.

Thursday October 24, 2024 (9:00 am Japan Time)

For further information, contact

Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD)

International Office, Hiroshima University

Email: gpad-primary@office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp