“Through APS, I was given the opportunity to experience such in-depth exchange and discussions with students from other countries. With the classmates I became close to, I was able to openly discuss sensitive issues such as politics and religion, and through them, my opinions about conflicts in Asia and global issues that I had never known before were fostered.”
The exchanges with my APS classmates have been very useful in my job at the United Nations
Miki has made her dream come true to work for the United Nations (UN) upon graduating as the 7th batch of APS. The experiences and exchanges made with the students from all around the world during her time as an APS scholar has contributed vastly to her work at the UN.
To empathize and realize the feelings of a person affected by conflict
Miki, I understand that you are currently working at the UNRWA office in Gaza. When and why did you get interested in peace building?
It all started as my grandfather used to tell me about his experience in the war when I was a child. While showing me the photos of that time, he told me about his fellow soldiers who died and the hard felt feelings during those times. As a result, I became interested in media work to convey world conflicts and social issues, and I went on to a university in the United States to major in communication. After graduation, I applied for the Japan International Cooperation Agency Volunteer Program and worked in community development in Burkina Faso and Senegal to broaden my horizons.
After returning to Japan, I worked at an international NGO to assist in the recovery from the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. And as I gained more experience, I started to think about acquiring a master's degree to further my career. I learned about APS program when I met a APS graduate from the 4th batch who was working as UN volunteer in Haiti. Because of my grandfather, I was particularly interested in historical issues and conflicts in Asia, which made APS, learning about peacebuilding with 30 students from different countries in Asia, an ideal program for me. I was also thankful for the fact that the scholarship covered all the expenses of studying abroad including tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses – as I did not have much savings. There was absolutely no hesitation to apply.
What did you discover by learning about conflicts in Asia through APS program and talking to students in the countries involved?
I majored in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies, and in one of the classes I took, I had a project to compare the way media reports about Takeshima/Dokto Island in three different countries: Japan, South Korea and the United States in chronological order. The project had three members; students from South Korea and the US, and myself. The conflict over the Island between Japan and South Korea is not just a territorial dispute, but a deep-rooted issue involving the history of both countries. When discussing with the Korean student, the discussions sometimes became very emotional. Because of the education we have received, there were parts that both of us could not make a concession with.
However, neither he nor I had the intention to change the other’s opinion, so it was a good experience to deepen our understanding of the differences and the reasons behind them by listening to each other's opinions. Furthermore, I was thankful for the student from the US, who took a neutral stance between us.
Through APS, I was given the opportunity to experience such in-depth exchange and discussions with students from other countries. With the classmates I became close to, I was able to openly discuss sensitive issues such as politics and religion, and through them, my opinions about conflicts in Asia and global issues that I had never known before were fostered. The exchange with these classmates continued after the graduation, and since I started working in Gaza, I visited my Lebanese and German classmates to deepen my understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I think it is one of the greatest assets of APS to be able to make friends from all over the world and see the world through their eyes – even after graduating.
I was able to become a UN staff because of APS
Upon graduation, you joined the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) through the Junior Professional Officer (A system to dispatch Japanese employees to international organizations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
One of the reasons why I applied for APS was because I wanted to work at the United Nations that has a great influence in the field of peacebuilding. I specifically wanted to join UNRWA because the international NGO that worked at before going to APS, acted as a campaign office for UNRWA in Japan and through that, I became interested in UNRWA’s activities. After graduating from APS, I returned to the same NGO and applied for the JPO opportunity while working on disaster relief project in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, and on post-conflict project in Gaza after 2014 Gaza conflict.
What kind of work do you do at UNRWA?
During the two years of JPO, I was managing projects. I was involved in all aspects of project management from finance to human resources and logistics in a wide range of fields such as emergency assistance, education, health and gender during those two years. Now that I have become a full-time employee, in addition to these tasks, the level of responsibility in my work, such as projects with Japan and the development of new donors, has significantly expanded.
One thing I often remember when I am working in Gaza is the Takeshima/Dokto Island project with my classmates from South Korea and the United States. Palestinians and Israelites, who have built their own views of the conflict through the education and environment they received, and that there are claims that could never budge on. Reflecting on my personal experience with the project, I was able to empathize with both, while playing the role of a bridge as a neutral person. In the future, I would like to be involved in the creation of organizational strategy activities.
In retrospect, I am who I am now because of APS. I was able to gain valuable learning and rich experience and to study abroad to get a master's degree when I was ready to do so. JPO has an age-limit, so if I were to wait to save money to study abroad while continuing my job at the NGO, I might have never worked with UNRWA.
Another advantage of APS, which is not available in Western graduate schools, is that they also provide programs to advance skills necessary for graduate studies– such as discussions in English and how to write papers. I think this is a very practical program that supports people with a passion for wanting to work in peacebuilding, even if they have little overseas experience or have no financial means.
Miki Yoshida | Born in Aomori Prefecture, 1983. After graduating from University of California at Los Angeles, she worked as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer and as project officer at an international NGO. She joined the APS (7th batch) in 2013. Obtained a degree in Master of Arts, Media, Peace and Conflict Studies at University for Peace, and MA in Political Science – Global Politics at Ateneo de Manila University. In April 2016, she joined the UNRWA Gaza office under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs JPO dispatch system. Currently, she oversees projects and partnerships as a UN employee at the UNRWA office.
APS Programme is supported by The Nippon Foundation. Interview by Chihiro Masuho (Class of 2012, APS Batch 5). English Translation by Mario Takahashi (Class of 2012, APS Batch 5) and Miki Yoshida.