Hyogo, Japan - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Pasona Group Inc. have jointly implemented training sessions in Awaji Island (Awaji-shima), Hyogo, Japan, for 50 leaders from 18 Asia-Pacific countries. The training sessions, held from 10 to 12 February 2025, provided them with first-hand experiences and practical skills to effectively address sea and human security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This collaboration marks a significant strengthening of the partnership between Pasona Group Inc. and UNITAR, which was formalized through a memorandum of understanding in 2023 .
Learning Sea and Human Security from Awaji Island Cases
The training sessions kicked off in Awaji Island as part of the 12-day workshop for the Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security Training Programme , which is part of the Japan-funded Shimanami Collective initiative.
Pasona Group Inc. announced the partial relocation of its head office functions to Awaji Island in 2020 as part of their broader initiative to promote regional revitalization and create new job opportunities in rural areas. In the implementation of this training, UNITAR and Pasona Group Inc. jointly designed and managed learning activities, including fieldwork and interactive lectures, on Awaji Island.
The sessions covered key topics on the sea and human security, with the first day featuring a session on regional development by Pasona Group Inc. Additionally, participants took part in a lecture and tour by Pasona Agri-Partners Inc. Under the theme of "Living with Agriculture", participants learned about best practices for food safety and sustainable agriculture through hands-on agricultural experiences. The programme also included a hands-on session by a startup company focused on seaweed-bed restoration, as well as a fieldwork session on microplastics led by the University of Tokyo DLX Design Lab, among other engaging activities.
The session at Pasona Agri-Partners. Inc. was truly eye-opening. Utilizing nature-based energy solutions and managing water consumption are key to sustainability, especially in disaster-prone areas. I gained valuable insights into how humans can coexist harmoniously with nature. - Hafford Norea, UNITAR training participant (Papua New Guinea)
Holding sea and human security training in Awaji Island closely aligns with the Shimanami Collective . The initiative was named after Shimanami Kaido - a set of six bridges connecting islands in Japan. Some of the islands are in Hiroshima Prefecture, where the UNITAR Office is located, while Awaji Island is located nearby in the area sharing the same inner sea. The Shimanami Collective symbolizes UNITAR's desire to act as a bridge, connecting diverse cultures, ideas and people across the Asia-Pacific region, including many small island nations.
Partnership for Global Capacity Development
The memorandum of understanding between UNITAR and Pasona Group Inc. serves as a framework for the two parties to collaborate on knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at enriching the learning experience of UNITAR training participants from across the world.
The first milestone of the partnership was the collaboration under UNITAR's project " Bolstering Livelihoods: A Digital Reskilling Programme for Ukrainian Women Evacuees in Poland ," funded by the Government and People of Japan. Launched in October 2023, the project trained a total of approximately 500 Ukrainian women refugees in Poland in high-demand digital skills, enhancing their livelihood and income generation opportunities. Pasona Group Inc. contributed learning content and was part of the programme organization.
Chisa Mikami, Head of the UNITAR Hiroshima Office, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating,
The success of our collaboration in the digital reskilling initiative for Ukrainian evacuees and the training sessions in Awaji Island, which involved study visits to see practical lessons related to sea and human security, exemplifies how strategic cooperation can drive effective and meaningful impact. Cross-sectoral strategic partnerships play a critical role in a world where we must accelerate our efforts towards the common goal of sustainable development.
We would once again like to extend our gratitude for visiting Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture as the site for this training session. With its vast nature and thriving agriculture, fishing, and livestock industries, but also proximity to urban areas, we believe that Awaji Island will become a vital center in Japan for research and action on environmental issues. We look forward to further collaborations with UNITAR. ー Makiya Nambu, Managing Executive Officer & Director, Pasona Group Inc.
UNITAR's collaboration with Pasona Group Inc. highlights the significance of multi-sector partnerships in tackling the world's critical challenges. By bringing together diverse expertise, resources and networks, such collaborations pave the way for effective capacity-development solutions that empower changemakers and global leaders, contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous world.
About Pasona Group Inc.
With the corporate philosophy of providing "Solutions to Society's Problems" unchanged since its founding, Pasona Group has promoted diversity and developed its business with the aim of creating a society in which each and every individual is able to freely choose work that they desire and which complements their lifestyle.
