Dr. Makiko Tagashira, Director, Social Policy Analysis Division, United Nations Economic and Social Welfare Bureau (UNDESA) Overview (October 31, 2020, Japan Time)

≪Yokohama International Human Resource Development Project≫

―Lectures for university students in Yokohama by Japanese staff of the United Nations -

Dr. Makiko Tagashira, Director, Social Policy Analysis Division, United Nations Economic and Social Welfare Bureau (UNDESA) Overview (October 31, 2020, Japan Time)

●Date and time of implementation:
10:00 to 12:15, Saturday, October 31, 2020 Japan Time Reiwa 2 (Saturday)
(NY time, Friday, October 30, 2020, 21:00 to 23:15)
●Speaker: Ms. Makiko Tagashira, Director, Social Policy Analysis Division, Comprehensive Social Policy Department, United Nations Economic and Social Welfare Bureau (UNDESA)

●Method of implementation: Online
●Participant: 13 students from Yokohama City University Kazushi Yoshinaga (Management Organization) Seminar

●Contents of the lecture:
①"What is the United Nations?"
②"About SDGs"
③Operations at the United Nations Headquarters
④“Recruitment”
⑤Others

In the lecture, Mr. Tagami talked about the background related to the establishment of the United Nations, the outline of the organization, the background of the SDGs being set (main international conferences and MDGs in the 1990s), the significance and importance of the SDGs, the content of individual goals and the linkage between different goals, and various issues such as the HLPF (High-level Polytechnic Forum).
He also introduced his experiences before becoming a United Nations employee, the United Nations staff recruitment test at the time of the examination, the current work environment and duties in charge.
During the Q & A session, the participating students asked enthusiastic questions, and asked questions such as "SDGs and technological innovation," "expansion of COVID-19 and inequality," and "poverty issues," from the perspective of staff members who are actually active at the forefront.
At a later date, a student said, "I learned the fun and importance of working at an international organization, and came to be considered as one of the options for employment." "I felt that the environment where I can work and connect with people from all over the world is attractive, and the sense of mission and achievement gained through my work is great." It was an opportunity for students studying in Yokohama to think about a career image that will be active internationally in the future.