GPPN Student Conference Tokyo 2013
The Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), the University of Tokyo, hosted “The Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) Student Conference, Tokyo 2013” on December 7 and 8. Following the Faculty Conference, where deans and professors from GPPN and guest institutions gathered to discuss current global challenges, the Student Conference was also concluded with great success.
The GPPN is a partnership between the world’s leading universities, School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore, Institute of Public Affairs at London School of Economics and Political Science, Sciences Po in Paris, Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, Fundação Getulio Vargas – EAESP in Brazil and GraSPP, University of Tokyo. Annual Student Conference has been running since 2006 and providing a great opportunity for students to exchange their ideas and build the academic network across the world. GraSPP joined the GPPN in 2012, together with the Fundação Getulio Vargas-EAESP and the Hertie School of Governance. GraSPP had the honor of hosting the conference this year. The Student Conference was organized by the Organizing Committee, consisting of GraSPP students, who had been preparing for the conference since early September.
This year’s conference theme was “Public Policy for 2020: Medium-Term agenda with a better vision”. The Student Conference had approximately 110 participants from 32 countries in total. On December 7, starting with a keynote speech by Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, the Governor of the Bank of Japan, we welcomed deans, professors and leading practitioners for round table sessions where they could share their expertise and exchange views with students. Students also had the opportunity to socialize and network with professors and other participants at the Networking Dinner Reception.
The students started the second day with “Students’ Policy Challenge”, with “Fukushima: Post Disaster Management” as the topic. Students were divided into 5 working groups and tasked to make presentations from different stakeholders’ political perspectives. In the afternoon, students made individual presentations on a topic chosen from three sub-themes that had been given by the Organizing Committee beforehand. The conference closed with the announcement and celebration of the Best Paper and Best Presentation Award, and winners received a Japanese traditional “Happi” coat from GraSPP professors. After the successful conclusion of the conference, students attended a farewell reception at a Japanese “Izakaya” and enjoyed a night out in Tokyo.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to our guest speakers, the GPPN institutions and all the participants, particularly the committee members, whose tireless efforts did so much to ensure the success of the conference. The next GPPN Conference will be hosted by the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.
Students Reports
Shinji Yasui | Eimi Yamamitsu | Tan Pengru |