We will host the 'Welcome Japan Symposium 2023', a linked event of the Global Refugee Forum 2023

 

Date and Time: December 12, 2023 (Tuesday) from 18:00 Japan Standard Time（10:00 Geneva Time）, Online Event, Free Participation

 

Welcome Japan, a coordination body aiming to realize an inclusive society for both refugees and communities, is set to host the 'Welcome Japan Symposium 2023'. This event is a linked event of the Global Refugee Forum 2023 (GRF), the world's largest international conference on refugee matters, which will be held from December 13, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum is co-hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Switzerland, and co-convened by Japan, Colombia, France, Jordan, and Uganda. The Symposium is scheduled for December 12, 2023 (Tuesday), beginning at 18:00 Japan Time （10:00 Geneva Time）, and will be conducted online (free participation).

 

If you wish to participate, please register using the form below.

https://forms.gle/Vx9TWvf5mZVSFHtM8

 

About 'Welcome Japan Symposium 2023'

As a linked event of the GRF, this event is positioned as a catalyst for initiating a new four-year cycle of the Forum. It aims to bring together and propel forward the collective voices advocating for refugee inclusion from Japan and around the globe. While the event is organized by Welcome Japan, it aims to highlight and showcase the whole-of-society approach in refugee inclusion, by featuring contributions from a variety of stakeholders including refugee support organizations, corporate sectors, government agencies, and NGOs/NPOs, both in Japan and in Asian countries.

 

The event comprises two sessions. Session 1 focuses on 'The second Global Refugee Forum and Japan’s initiatives' introducing the pledges of Japanese NGOs, NPOs, corporate sectors, and government agencies for enhancing refugee inclusion as part of the Global Refugee Forum. Session 2, ' Voices for Inclusive Future with Refugees from and beyond Asia' will facilitate dialogues with organizations committed to refugee support across Asia, creating a bridge between Geneva and various location in the region. Session 1 will be conducted in Japanese, while English will be the primary language for Session 2.

 

■ Event Summary

Event Title

Welcome Japan Symposium 2023 for Global Refugee Forum

Session1: Global Refugee Forum 2023 and Japan’s Initiatives

Session2: Voices for an Inclusive Future with Refugees from and Beyond Asia

 

Organizer

Welcome Japan

 

Supporter

UNHCR, Forum for Refugees Japan, APRRN(TBC), APNOR(TBC)

 

Format 

3.5hours online event

Session１: broadcasted from Tokyo, Japan

Session２: broadcasted from Geneva to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other countries     in Asia (TBD)

 

Language

Session １：Japanese

Session ２：English

 

Date and Time 

Date: December 12, 2023

Session１:　10:00-12:00 Geneva Time     (18:00-20:00 Japan Time)

Session２:　12:00-13:30 Geneva Time     (20:00-21:30 Japan Time)

 

Event Schedule

Session 1: 18:00 (10:00 GVA)

Moderator: Ms. Yiqun Gong, Director, Welcome Japan

 

18:00-18:05 [5 min]

Opening Remarks and Housekeeping

Speaker: (TBC)

 

18:05-18:10 [5 min]

Introduction of Welcome Japan including Welcome Challenge at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Speaker: Jintate Kim, Representative Director, Welcome Japan

 

18:10-18:20 [10 min]

Introduction of GRF

Organization: Ayaki Ito ,UNHCR Representative in Japan

 

18:20-19:35 [75 min]

Introduction of pledges from Welcome Japan working groups and actors in Japan

Presenters: pledge submitting entities

 

19:35-19:50 [15 min]

Q&A session

 

19:50-20:00 [10 min]

Break

 

Session 2: 20:00 (12:00 GVA)

Moderator： Mr. Jintae Kim, Representative Director, Welcome Japan

 

20:00-20:05 [5 min]

Opening Remarks and Housekeeping

Speaker: Najeeba Wazefadost ,Founder of Asia Pacific Network of Refugees and Global Refugee-led network

 

20:05-20:20 [15 min]

Overview of pledges and commitments made by stakeholders in Japan

Speaker: Satomi Hiyama, Forum for Refugees Japan

 

20:20-20:50 [30 min]

Presentations on situations, good practices, and pledges from Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Speakers: (TBC)

 

20:50-21:10 [20 min]

Expected commitments from East Asia countries beyond the GRF 2023

Speakers: Refugee-led hub by APNOR in Geneva (TBC), APRRN (TBC)

 

21:10-21:25 [15 min]

Q&A and Wrap-up

 

21:25-21:30 [5 min]

Closing Remarks

Organization: (TBC)

 

■ About Global Refugee Forum 2023　https://www.unhcr.org/global-refugee-forum-2023

The Second Global Refugee Forum is the world's largest refugee-related international conference, held every four years by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

 

■ About Welcome Japan　https://welcomejpn.org/

Welcome Japan is a coordination body aiming to realize an inclusive society for both refugees and communities. Established as a general incorporated association in June 2022, Welcome Japan has worked with various members including academia, NPOs, private companies, and refugees to achieve a diverse Japanese society through refugee inclusion and refugees' self-reliance by 2024. In communication with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Welcome Japan is dedicated to "assessing the current situation, challenges, and possibilities for refugee inclusion," "collective impact through the whole-of-society approach," and "provision of educational and employment opportunities for the achievement of wellbeing".