Author: Inge Odendaal
Stellenbosch University (SU) is a member of the International Network of Universities (INU), a global consortium dedicated to promoting international collaboration and innovation in higher education. In August, this network hosted two events: the International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace and the INU Leaders’ Summit. These events took place in Hiroshima throughout August and were attended by members of the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre (SUJC), Thami Mahlobo and Inge Odendaal, as well as senior SU members.
About 60 students from various academic fields and INU member universities participated in the International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace programme. It was a packed 10-day event featuring lectures, discussions, and workshops. The theme this year, Addressing the Climate Emergency, focused on energy insecurity and sustainability in light of the climate crisis. Attendees engaged in interdisciplinary workshops led by experts from different fields, covering topics like engineering, international law, climate justice, and sustainable solutions to climate challenges. Forming part of this team was Thami Mahlobo, who served as a facilitator. Thami is an ABE Initiative Hiroshima alumnus, SUJC member, and Coordinator of Internationalisation Support at Stellenbosch University International.
The seminar concluded with a Model United Nations (MUN) General Assembly simulation. Students were assigned to represent country delegations and collaborated in groups to discuss and pass a draft UN resolution. The MUN simulation allowed students to engage with the complex issues of climate change and provided opportunities to practise cooperation, negotiation, and intercultural communication. The INU seminar emphasised the importance of students approaching issues of climate change as global citizens and active agents of change to collectively build a sustainable future.
Participants also enjoyed many social activities and had the opportunity to explore Hiroshima. These activities were not only exciting but also offered students from different backgrounds the opportunity to get to know each other better and experience Japan. This included a concert by Hiroshima University students featuring singing and dance performances, a visit to the Hondori arcade for Okonomiyaki, a trip to Miyajima Island, and experiences in traditional Japanese arts like calligraphy, paper crane folding, and a Japanese tea ceremony. Another highlight was the Hiroshima Toro Nagashi Matsuri festival, where participants had a picnic and made special handwritten lanterns. These lanterns were lit and set afloat on the Motoyasu River at sunset and dusk. The students wrapped up their trip with a fun group karaoke session on their last night.
This year, the seminar was organised around the August 6th commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Two of the most emotionally resonant events were the personal account of Ms. Keiko Ogura, an atomic bomb survivor, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. During a special INU seminar event, Ms. Keiko Ogura shared her experiences from 1945. Ms. Ogura, who was eight years old at the time of the bombing, is one of the few remaining survivors old enough to recall the events. In her address, she shared the realities of the atomic bomb and her advocacy for a world without nuclear weapons.
Seminar participants also had the privilege of attending the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, marking the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing. During this memorial, there was a silent prayer, the ringing of the Peace Bell, and the reading of the Hiroshima Peace Declaration. The event was attended by Japan’s Prime Minister, PM Kishida, government members, survivors, delegates from 111 countries, as well as representatives of the UN. Afterwards, participants visited the memorial museum, which deepened their understanding of the historical context and the impact on Hiroshima’s residents. This ceremony served as a crucial reminder that, in the face of the climate emergency and other global challenges, a commitment to peace and international cooperation must always come first.
Alongside the student seminar, the INU Leaders’ Summit and the 36th INU Council meeting also took place. During this summit, university leaders signed a charter to celebrate the network’s 25th anniversary. Stellenbosch University assumed the INU Presidency for the 2023–2025 term, with Professor Hester Klopper, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategy, Global, and Corporate Affairs, serving as acting president. Joining her in Hiroshima were Sarah Van der Westhuizen, the Director of the Centre for Global Engagement and Co-Director of the SUJC, and Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Professor Wim de Villiers. Dr. Morne Mostert was also part of the delegation and served as the facilitator for this event.
Another highlight was the special student symposium, which took place after the charter signing. It provided students with the opportunity to share their perspectives with university leaders and the audience. This symposium, titled Students Talk, We Listen, served as a bridge between the leaders’ summit and the student seminar. Inge Odendaal, a SUJC intern, represented Stellenbosch University as a panellist. The symposium featured valuable contributions from the student panel, covering serious topics with moments of humour.
The INU global forum in Hiroshima strengthened university and student connections. It highlighted academia’s vital role in shaping global citizenship and emphasised the value of mobility networks for research collaboration and finding sustainable solutions to address global, regional, and local issues. Stellenbosch University Japan Centre also functions as a research and student/staff mobility partner with Hiroshima University. Apart from fostering research networks, the INU seminar was an experience where students and academics discussed important global issues facing young people. More importantly, they formed friendships that transcended borders and language barriers.
To learn more about mobility opportunities with our partner institutions, please visit our Mobility Hub Page or get in touch with Stellenbosch University International.