On Wednesday, April 9th, Ambassador Rick Barton visited Kyoto University of Advanced Science’s Uzumasa Campus.
Rick Barton has served as the Deputy High Commissioner under the late Sadako Ogata at the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, first Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations, and as the U.S. representative at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, among other appointments. He has promoted peaceful and democratic change in more than 40 conflict zones. He is also a lecturer at Princeton University and the author of Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World.
A lecture was held where the Ambassador explained to an audience of over 100 students and faculty about the social changes and political history in the United States leading up to President Donald Trump’s inauguration. He emphasized the importance of building partnerships and finding areas of cooperation in the current uncertain global political climate.
Students actively asked the Ambassador questions and exchanged views on the relationship between the U.S. and Japan and current political events. Topics included: America’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the future of the organization, the reasons for President’s popular support among the people of America, and the future accountability of America and their role in peacekeeping operations worldwide.
In closing, he urged students to be interested in the political processes which shape the lives of everyday people.
（Graham Boden, International Office）