Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development

From April 2024, Hiroshima University has been commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to implement the Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development in close cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This Program was established by the Ministry to strengthen civilian capacity for peacebuilding and development. It consists of several types of training courses, as well as activities to support career development for people wishing to work in international organizations working in peace and development.

During fiscal year 2025, Hiroshima University will organize the following training courses:

Primary Course (for Japanese and non-Japanese participants)

Mid-Career Course (for Japanese and non-Japanese participants)

Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Pre-Assignment Course (for Japanese candidates who passed the JPO examination).

Primary Course

The Primary Course is designed to prepare early career professionals in peacebuilding, international development and related fields to work with a high level of competence, agility and skills. In the FY 2024 course held in January and February 2025, 13 participants from Japan and 10 participants from Bangladesh, Fiji, El Salvador, Lebanon, Ukraine, Palestine, Mali, South Sudan, Uganda and African Union Commission (AUC) participated.

In FY2025, the course will be made up of two components:

Japan Training Component: This is a 4-week training course encompassing substantive sessions related to peacebuilding and development, practical skills needed to work effectively in these sectors, and career planning and preparation.

UNV Assignment: After the Japan Training Component, Japanese participants will be assigned to work as UN Volunteers in UN offices and agencies around the world for 1 year (please note that this component is only for Japanese participants).

The dates of the FY2025 Course are November 3-November 30, 2025, with 2 pre-training sessions scheduled to take place in October (dates to be announced).

The deadline for applications from non-Japanese participants is Friday July 11, 2025 (9:00 am Japan time).

For more information for non-Japanese applicants, please see the Primary Course page.

For more information for Japanese applicants, please see the Primary Course page for Japanese applicants (in Japanese).

Mid-Career Course

The Mid-Career Course is a professional development course for mid-career professionals working in peacebuilding, international development and related fields. This 7-day intensive training course will help participants to take stock of where they are in their careers, and to develop strategies for achieving their career goals. The training is useful for those already working in the UN system, as well as those wishing to apply for mid-level positions in international organizations. Approximately 20 Japanese and non-Japanese people will participate from all over the world.

The training is scheduled to take place in January 2026 (the dates will be announced in July 2025).

For more information, please see the Mid-Career Course page.

For more information about the Mid-Career Course in Japanese, please see here.