Hiroshima University, in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is now accepting applications for an intensive training program focused on peacebuilding and global development. This distinctive opportunity is aimed at preparing individuals with the expertise, practical abilities, and connections necessary for impactful careers in international peace and development sectors.

The course is structured in two phases: a virtual component in October 2025, followed by face-to-face sessions held in Japan from November 3 to 30, 2025. The in-person portion will take place in both Tokyo and Hiroshima. Around 25 professionals, including both Japanese and international participants, will be chosen to attend. The training promotes intercultural cooperation, hands-on learning, and leadership development within the framework of global peace and development work.

Applications are welcomed from individuals who are not Japanese nationals and reside in specific countries and regions. These include Armenia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ecuador, Guatemala, Iraq, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, and Timor-Leste. Additionally, applications may be accepted from individuals associated with the African Union Commission, though those applications are subject to internal arrangements and not open to public submission.

Participants will begin with two virtual orientation sessions in October to prepare for the program. These online meetings will allow them to meet fellow attendees and receive assignments to complete before traveling to Japan. The training will then commence in Tokyo with foundational discussions on peacebuilding strategies, development practices, and the roles of major international institutions such as the United Nations. Following this, participants will relocate to Hiroshima for the core portion of the program, which will involve in-depth workshops, hands-on simulations, academic seminars, and site visits, all hosted at the university’s Higashi-Hiroshima campus.

Those selected for the course will benefit from comprehensive financial support funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes coverage of international flights to and from Japan, in-country travel costs, travel insurance, accommodation for the full duration of the training, and a daily stipend for food and other minor personal expenses. Participants may need to bear minimal out-of-pocket expenses, and further logistical details will be shared with those accepted into the program.

To be considered, applicants must show a clear dedication to pursuing careers in peacebuilding or international development. They must also have accumulated a minimum of three years of experience in related sectors such as law, education, governance, media, healthcare, IT, human resources, logistics, or environmental work. A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification is required, and applicants must be between 27 and 39 years old as of April 1, 2025. Proficiency in English is essential, demonstrated either through standardized test scores—such as a TOEFL iBT score of 90 or above, a TOEIC score of 900 or higher, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or more in all components—or via a formal letter from a referee attesting to their communication skills in English. All candidates must also be in good mental and physical health to participate fully in all aspects of the training.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity