NEWS

Symposium 'Realities and Hope: The Darkest Corners of the World' Dialogue with CEO of World Vision International Was Held

Update: April 10, 2024

On April 3, 2024, ICU's Peace Research Institute, ICU's Reconciliation Forum, and World Vision Japan hosted a symposium titled Realities and Hope: the Darkest Corners of the World at the Alumni House on campus. The symposium started with President Shoichiro Iwakiri's opening speech and chaired by Prof. Mikiko Nishimura with more than 60 students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Rev. Andrew Morley, President and CEO of World Vision International, gave a key note speech on his experience representing this humanitarian and development organization in various parts of the world, bringing the topic of 'Hope' at the center of the conversation. Additionally, four ICU students, Apollo Sseyange, Ikko Komiya, Sirine El Halabi, and Silvia Luz González Márquez, from diverse backgrounds, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Japan, served as panelists to share their experience aiding vulnerable populations, indigenous peoples, youth and refugees. They engaged in dialogue with Rev. Morley and the attendees to broaden up the conversation about issues that concerns humanity as a whole.

From his perspective as a Christian minister, Rev. Morley started his presentation with the Bible verse "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of this brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). He shared stories about children in the most extreme situations, facing death, hunger, abuse, child marriage and war. Some of them World Vision was able to help, and others could not. Facing the reality we have in our present time, with technology and the world interconnected, Rev. Morley emphasized that there is "enough" for everyone to access food and the essential elements that are needed to preserve life.

During the Q&A there was a vibrant discussion about various matters, such as what it means to be a 'global citizen' and how to deal with people's various and often conflicting definitions of peace. Overall, this symposium brought a sense of hope, unity, and urgency to participate actively in alleviating the need and suffering of people regardless of their origins. Finally, Rev. Ikuko Williams of the ICU Reconciliation Forum and Prof. Sawa Omori, Dean of Graduate School, commented on the importance of hopeful dialogue and the relevance of learning at the university.