Details of the Initiative

This program is a program in which Japanese Consortium Universities (*), participating in an agreement with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), an international organization contributing to peace and development in the world, work together to dispatch students to developing countries as volunteers.

Coordinated by UNV, the students were sent to UN agencies, mainly in developing countries, for approximately five months (from late September to late February). In this program, implemented with the support of the Japanese government, UNV will provide local living expenses, housing expenses, and round-trip travel expenses if the dispatch is decided.

(*) With Kwansei Gakuin University as a core university, as of April 2022, this consortium is working with seven universities in Japan (Osaka University, Akita International University, Tsukuba University, Toyo University, Meiji University, Meiji Gakuin University and Rikkyo University). Beginning in the 2023 academic year, the program will be held at four universities: Kwansei Gakuin University, a core university cooperating with Meiji University, Meiji Gakuin University, and Rikkyo University,

Since 2013, Meiji University has sent ten students. In September 2022, two students (from the School of Business Administration and the School of Global Japanese Studies) will be sent to Egypt and Nepal. We will continue our activities with the aim of creating a world where “no one is left behind.”

■ Message from participants

―I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in international cooperation and wants to seriously think about his/her future career. As a senior, I am always ready to help you, so please feel free to contact me. (From a participant in FY2021)

―I am sure that you will be able to overcome any difficulties and gain confidence in yourself. (From a participant in 2019)

―”Believe in your passion”, even if you can’t see the results or can’t put your reasons into words. (From a participant in 2016)

■ Related sites

Meiji University United Nations Youth Volunteer Program

https://www.meiji.ac.jp/cip/chouki_kaigaijisshu/index.html

Special website for the United Nations Youth Volunteer Program

https://ciec.kwansei.ac.jp/unyouth/

■ Outbound students from Meiji University under the UN Youth Volunteer Program

2015 India (UNDP UNV)
2015 Ghana (UNDP UNV)
2016 Ethiopia (UNV)
2019 Egypt (UNESCO)
2021 Egypt (UN-WOMEN)