SDGs series: Lecture by HIROKI Shigeyuki, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Sweden
On November 9th (Wed) and 10th (Thu), 2022, we invited HIROKI Shigeyuki, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Sweden, to give special lectures titled “Swedish Approach to SDGs” co-hosted by International Affairs Division and Faculty of Economics, YU.
Japanese and international students, as well as faculty members and staff, attended to Ambassador’s lecture each day, and they listened to the lectures attentively.
Based on his experience as an ambassador to Sweden, South Africa, and Afghanistan, as well as the chief of protocol, the Ambassador emphasized the followings: you can gain a broader understanding of the world by acquiring means of communication and experiencing different cultures; it is necessary to respect diversity and live in your way taking advantage of your strength and weaknesses; it is essential to understand others, then yourself to live in the global society.
After introducing Sweden ranked first place (Japan ranks 17th) in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement ranking in 2020, he explained how women in Sweden play active roles, current Swedish social welfare according to their life stages, and Swedish progress towards a welfare state.
Swedish environmental policies (SDG 12, 13, 14, 15) emphasize “to take only the amount of resources you can return to nature, to choose energy above ground rather than underground, and to respect biodiversity.”
Furthermore, regarding SDG16 (peace and justice for all), after explaining that Sweden was a “neutral country” from 1814 to 2022, based on the current situation in Ukraine, Ambassador HIROKI called for volunteers who act the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and the United Nations, then role-play where they argued against each other was held in the podium.
After the lecture, Mrs. HIROKI talked how she and the Ambassador supported each other at diplomatic activities.
Audience of the lecture commented, “It was a fascinating and meaningful lecture based on the Ambassador’s rich experience.”
YU plans to continue holding lectures related to SDGs.
