KGU International Student Volunteers

The Kwansei Gakuin University International Student Volunteers initiative comprises two programs: the United Nations Student Volunteers program, and the International Cooperation program.

Based on an agreement with United Nations Volunteers (UNV), KGU began sending student volunteers to various developing countries in academic year 2004, for the first time as an Asian university. Since then, about 70 students have been dispatched to developing countries thus far.

In addition to the United Nations Student Volunteers program, beginning in academic year 2013, KGU is further strengthening its volunteer initiatives in developing countries by launching the International Cooperation program. This will increase opportunities by providing students with firsthand experience in various activities under way in international cooperation organizations.

United Nations Volunteers

The United Nations Student Volunteers program, coordinated through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) office, sends student volunteers to United Nations offices, governmental organizations, or NGOs in developing countries. Under the program, students are dispatched to assist with public relations (website and poster creation, etc), project management and other activities, aiming to help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in such areas as education, health and hygiene, the environment, gender issues, and poverty reduction. Participating undergraduate/graduate students of KGU will be engaged in development support activities for about five months in a developing nation, together with staff of United Nations agencies and international NGOs as well as local residents there. The program offers a precious opportunity for students to work firsthand at United Nations agencies and international cooperation organizations.

International Cooperation Activity

Beginning in the 2013 academic year, KGU is strengthening its initiatives for volunteer efforts in developing countries. More specifically, KGU has commenced the International Cooperation program in order to send students to developing countries to experience working in practical settings of various types of international cooperation, such as offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross in each country and offices of NGOs conducting activities abroad. Along with the United Nations Student Volunteers program that has conventionally been implemented, the International Cooperation program will constitute the pillars of KGU’s student volunteer dispatch projects, providing many KGU students with opportunities for learning thorough volunteer work in developing nations.