INU Student Seminar on the Climate Emergency in Hiroshima, Japan

Undergraduate DMU students are eligible to participate in this opportunity, however, students will need to demonstrate a clear interest in the seminar topic of climate action. Academic performance will be considered as part of the application process, with students needing to be averaging over 60 in their studies at DMU. Students may also be invited to attend a brief interview after being shortlisted for this opportunity.

The maximum number of places on this opportunity is 2. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

DMU in cooperation with the International Network of Universities and Hiroshima University are able to offer 2 DMU students the chance to participate in the annual student seminar on the topic of ‘Climate Emergency and Action’ from 1-10 August 2023. Further information about the programme can be found via the link below:

The 10-day program includes lectures, case studies and small group discussions.  The program also offers field trips to local attractions and cultural learning experiences, and culminates in a United Nations role play activity where groups of students represent different countries, and negotiate to pass a draft resolution.

Seminar topic – Climate Emergency and Action

Over the last year, two important factors have converged in articulating one of the most immediate global crises. On the one hand, the broader shift from a paradigm of climate change to one of climate emergency highlights the need to re-evaluate globally our engagement with alternative, sustainable energy sources. Civil society participation has seen the development and mobilisation of global networks of action at unprecedented levels. A grass-root campaign-driven Climate Emergency Declaration has already been adopted within over forty countries. Increased emphasis is being placed on shifting patterns of production and consumption towards more sustainable grounds, with sustainability education and increased regulatory practices providing important ‘carrot and stick’ incentives.

The global relevance of these issues is highlighted in the way they permeate the entire UN Sustainable Development Agenda. Two of the Sustainable Development Goals focus explicitly on addressing the climate emergency: Affordable Energy (Goal 7), and Climate Action (Goal 13), while several others embed within them clear goals to pursue bio-diversity (Goals 14 and 15), sustainable technology and communities (Goals 9 and 11), etc.

On the other hand, within this broader trend, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has exposed the volatility deriving from the reliance on traditional energy sources. As highlighted in a report by the World Economic Forum, the conflict has had seismic effects globally. Energy price and supply volatility (and their financial and economic consequences) are felt world-wide, with poorer countries bearing the brunt of these consequences. States have stepped up their engagement with energy policy changes with conflicting trends emerging: on the one hand, there is a renewed push towards renewable energy and technology, while on the other, there is regress through a return – in the short term – to coal use.

The purpose of the seminar is to explore current geo-political climate debates with a view to evaluate local, regional and global dynamics concerning energy security, sustainability and development.

Who should apply?

The student seminar is designed for highly motivated students who are interested in:

Practical information

Students that participate in this two week seminar will be provided with hotel accommodation at the Green Morris Hotel near the University of Hiroshima. The expected cost of accommodation will be approximately £500 and will be paid by DMU. Students will be required to pay for and arrange flights to Hiroshima via Tokyo (approx. £1000-1200). DMU will refund students the full cost of the return flights to Hiroshima.

There is no expected cost for students for flights and accommodation, as funding will be provided by DMU to cover these. Students will be expected to cover the cost of airport transfers, food and drink, personal cultural activities and visa costs (if applicable).

Cultural Activities

As part of the itinerary, and to align with the anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima students will engage in a number of cultural activities to learn more about the moment. This will include attending an event hear a testimony from Ms Ogura, a survivor of Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Students will also visit the Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. They will also take part in the remembrance activities that align with the 78 anniversary of the bombing.

COVID-19 information

Travel to Japan is permitted according to the travel rules for England as listed on UK Government website. Students are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travel as per the guidance on the FCDO webpage for Japan.

For arrivals who are triple-vaccinated, there is no longer a requirement to have a COVID-19 test before you fly. Valid certificates must be shown to prove vaccination with three doses of any of the COVID-19 vaccines on the Emergency Use List of the World Health Organization (WHO). Some airlines may require these documents to be shown before boarding as part of their internal rules.

All students that are offered a place on this DMU Global opportunity will receive further COVID-19 advice and guidance by email and in pre-departure briefing sessions. More details and COVID-19 Travel Information can be found here.