Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University
On November 30, 2024, Kobe University’s Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS) hosted a highly anticipated online seminar. Co-hosted by the CAMPUS Asia Plus Program and the Global Network Program via Zoom, the event highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event welcomed Ms. Yuki Haramoto, Humanitarian Project Officer at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka, who delivered a talk on “The Role of the UN in Promoting SDGs: Case of UNFPA Sri Lanka.”
The seminar commenced with a welcome speech by Professor Keiichi Ogawa, who introduced the distinguished speaker. Ms. Yuki Haramoto began by providing an overview of the United Nations’ role in advancing the SDGs, focusing on her experiences at UNFPA Sri Lanka. She then shared an in-depth overview of UNFPA’s initiatives in Sri Lanka, particularly their work in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and data generation under the 10th Country Program (2023–2027). She elaborated on how UNFPA provides technical support for gender equality and women’s empowerment by strengthening the capacities of health facilities and community centers to deliver SRH services. Furthermore, she highlighted the organization’s efforts to enhance multisectoral coordination between health and protection systems, ensuring the safety of women and girls and enabling an uninterrupted GBV response at divisional and district levels in Sri Lanka.
Among the key outputs of her project, Ms. Haramoto emphasized critical interventions such as augmenting the availability of essential medicines and equipment, refurbishing health facilities in underserved areas, championing midwives, and setting up safe spaces for GBV survivors. UNFPA Sri Lanka has also been instrumental in enabling women’s health in workplaces, improving public transport for women, mainstreaming gender considerations in public governance, and fostering social cohesion and climate change resilience. These efforts collectively aim to empower women and youth to take active societal roles.
Ms. Haramoto also shared her motivation for working with international organizations, drawing upon her eight years of experience at Deloitte, a global professional services firm specializing in consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services. She explained how her private sector background equipped her with valuable skills, including project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, which seamlessly transitioned into the development sector and enhanced her ability to drive impactful initiatives.
The seminar concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, where online participants engaged actively. The speakers graciously responded to numerous questions, providing further insights and motivation for students aspiring to work with international organizations. This seminar not only inspired future development professionals but also offered a deeper understanding of global development challenges and the pivotal role of the UNFPA in addressing them.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Haramoto for her invaluable contribution and to the organizers for facilitating this engaging seminar. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Keiichi Ogawa for hosting this invaluable seminar.
Authored by Md Efrat Jahan Bhuiyan Shafin (Master’s student)
