Ms. Shion Natsuyama, a master’s student in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Okayama University, paid a courtesy visit to President Yasuto Nasu on December 18 following her selection as a participant in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) “UNESCO Internship Programme” for FY2025.

Vice President Prof. Atsufumi Yokoi (Global Engagement), UNESCO Chairholder, and Professor Naozumi Kurokami (Faculty of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences), Ms. Natsuyama’s academic supervisor, were also in attendance.

The UNESCO Internship Programme, launched in FY2024 by MEXT (Japanese National Commission for UNESCO), provides Japanese youth with opportunities to undertake long-term internships (in principle six to twelve months) at UNESCO Headquarters and its regional offices. The programme aims to deepen understanding of UNESCO activities, cultivate globally active professionals capable of working in international organizations, and contribute to regional revitalization through engagement with UNESCO initiatives.

As a member of the programme’s fourth cohort, Ms. Natsuyama will be dispatched to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, for one year beginning in January 2026. She will work with the Education Sector, which is responsible for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)—a field also advanced by the Okayama University UNESCO Chair.

President Nasu encouraged her, stating that working at a United Nations agency as a student is a rare and invaluable opportunity. He expressed hope that she would not only engage fully in her professional responsibilities but also enrich her learning experience by immersing herself in the culture and arts of Paris. Ms. Natsuyama expressed her deep gratitude for the support she has received and stated her intention to share the knowledge and professional experience gained at UNESCO Headquarters—particularly in the field of ESD—with fellow students upon her return.

Through the initiatives and activities of the Okayama University UNESCO Chair, the University will continue to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote global well-being and contribute to shaping a desirable future for both the region and the planet.