This year, Universal Declaration of Human Rights will mark its 70th anniversary. The declaration was proclaimed as ‘a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations’. However, today, even after 70 years, women and girls are the most vulnerable groups from gender-based violence across the globe, be it conflict zones or our own homes.

To commemorate the global efforts on sexual violence, United Nations Information Centre Tokyo (UNIC Tokyo) and European Union (EU) Delegation will host a seminar on “eliminating violence against women and girls at home and abroad”. The event is in accordance with “International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict” that UN General Assembly observes on June 19. Both international and domestic aspects of violence against women and girls from global, Japanese and European perspectives shall be discussed.

This seminar is open to public however, seats are limited. Those interested in attending are kindly requested to register in advance with the EU Delegation, no later than 12:00 on Friday, 15 June, to ensure access to the venue.

For registration: https://euin.jp/20180619registration

Details of the event are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday, 19 June 2018
• Time: 16:00-18:00 followed by networking reception
• Place: Delegation of the European Union to Japan, Europa House, 4-6-28, Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku
https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/map.pdf　
• Language: Japanese and English with simultaneous interpretation

Programme (tbc)

16:00 – 16:02 MC’s Opening Mr. Julio Arias,  Counsellor, Head of Press, Public and Cultural Affairs, Delegation of the European Union to Japan

16:02 – 16:07 Video Message Ms. Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

16:07 – 16:17 Welcome Remarks Mr. Dirk Hebecker, UNHCR Representative in Japan

16:17 – 16:27 Opening Speech H.E. Mr. Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan

16:27 – 17:45 Panel Session (including Q&A):
Combatting violence against women at home and abroad

Moderator:
Ms. Kaoru Nemoto, Director, UN Information Centre, Tokyo

Panellists:

Mr. Fabien Fieschi, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Political Setion, Delegation of the European Union to Japan

Ms. Kyoko Hokugo, Director, Gender Mainstreaming Division, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ms. Kaori Sasaki, Founder & CEO, ewoman, Inc. Founder & CEO, UNICUL International, Inc. Founder & Chair, International Conference for Women in Business

Ms. Yukie OSA, PhD, Professor at Graduate School of Social Design Studies, Rikkyo University  President, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan

Ms. Kae Ishikawa, Director of UN Women Japan

Ms. Yuka Shimada, HR & GA Director – Japan, Unilever Japan Holdings K.K.

17:45 – 18:00 Closing Remarks Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Minister of Justice, Government of Japan

18:00 – 18:02 MC’s Closing Mr. Julio Arias, EU Delegation

18:05 – 19:30 Networking Reception

For inquires, please contact:
Delegation of the EU to Japan Tel: 03-5422-6001 / delegation-japan-event@eeas.europa.eu

For other inquiries please contact:
United Nations Information Centre Tokyo Tel: 03-5467-4451/ Email: humanrights.unic.tokyo@gmail.com

On the day of the seminar, we will conduct a video campaign to connect people in the world for promotion of human rights. This is a part of the UN’s initiatives in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). You can participate in this by recording yourself reading one of the 30 articles of UDHR in any languages including Japanese. Please join! For details, please visit: https://www.un.org/en/udhr-video/index.shtml.

*　***　*