Military invasion of Ukraine Message from researchers to students April 11, 20:42
Lectures for the new year have begun at each university.
What are researchers now specializing in international law and criminal justice, and college students interested in international affairs, feeling and trying to learn about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine?
I interviewed the site.
What do you want students to think about?
Faculty of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.
Except for the exercises for first-year students who entered the school last fall ...
"What do you think it makes sense to learn international affairs in an era of war of aggression?"
This question was asked by Associate Professor Moe Ochi, who specializes in international law and international criminal justice.
There was a message I wanted to convey to the 16 students who attended.
Associate Professor Moe Ochi
I feel helpless and hopeless when I see the news in Ukraine, and I think that there are some parts where students cannot be positive about the way international affairs should be.
So what can we do?
I want you to not give up thinking and find the meaning of learning from it.
From doubts to the world of international law
Mr. Ochi became interested in his field of specialization because he was in junior high and high school about international conflicts and poverty that could not be resolved as he expected.
When she was a junior high school student, she visited the Philippines on a school program to see children living in slums.
High school students investigated the problems of Palestine and the victims of the conflict, and faced the challenges that occur in the world, such as making presentations at the school.
Then I learned how to resolve conflicts and wars from a legal point of view at university.
Associate Professor Moe Ochi
Why is there an unequal society in the world and why so many people have to be killed?
I wondered about such absurdity and went on to study international law and international criminal justice in an attempt to correct it.
I would like the current students to learn the background, etc., rather than ending with the doubts, anger, and sadness that they felt during this military invasion.
It's worth learning
Amid growing concerns about increased civilian casualties, fellow researchers often say they feel helpless.
Even so, Mr. Ochi did not want him to look away from this military invasion because of the ongoing tragedy, so in the lecture at the beginning of the semester, he worked on exchanging opinions in a small group.
The aim was to ask them to think about what they could contribute to in the field they were studying.
There is also a problem with the Northern Territories in Japan, so it doesn't seem like a thing.
I think it is great that the spread of SNS has made it possible to obtain a lot of images and information.
But getting to the right information is very difficult.
If it does not affect developed countries in regions far from Europe, it may not be treated as much internationally.
I think it's a strange story.
At the end of the lecture, Mr. Ochi emphasized that it is important for him to find meaning in his own research in the field when deciding on a research theme at the university.
Associate Professor Moe Ochi
Based on the many "failures" found in military invasions and war crimes, please do not choose a theme that is often taken up but you do not feel the significance of this mechanism.
Please choose the theme that you will surely feel that it is meaningful if you study this.
Through future lectures, Associate Professor Ochi will teach how international law and international criminal justice can respond to Russia.
Associate Professor Moe Ochi Just
because you couldn't prevent it, you can't leave it alone after you wake up.
The processing after the military invasion is also very important.
For example, a person who survives the battlefield may suffer from trauma for a long time in the future.
It is important to take care of it.
There are many things you can do instead of lamenting that you can't do anything.
I also want to convey that it is useful for people in need.
College students also thought about it again
Even for students who are already studying international law, Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is an opportunity to reconsider the significance of learning.
The International Law Study Group at Waseda University is the only university-wide circle to learn about international law.
The main activity is to participate in and win the international law mock trial competition for university students held in Japan and overseas.
We have achieved excellent results in past competitions.
On the 8th of this month, the study group held an exchange meeting with current students for new students who are interested in activities.
Following this military invasion, I see it as an opportunity to think more concretely about the problems of international law.
Third grader Taku Ohashi
How can the effectiveness of international law be shaped by the invasion of Ukraine?
By properly thinking about what is wrong legally, I think we can logically blame Russia.
After that, I would like to be able to analyze measures to prevent actions like Russia.
It is said that there are many people who join the club every year because they like world history, are interested in law, and want to use it for job hunting, but there are many applicants who are interested in international law. ..
Freshman Moriya Kojiro (left photo)
I've learned from high school students that there are countermeasures against various conflicts, so I have a simple question as to why this time I can't solve it.
There is even more interest in how the international community will respond.
Mr. Yasuo Yamawaki, a freshman
, has some mess, but Russia also has a case, so I would like to study at this study group including such things.
Mr. Ohashi was inspired by the high level of awareness of new students.
I am renewed that I would like to work on this year's activities with everyone in mind that what is not logical about Putin's claim is not only moral but also legal.
Third grader Taku Ohashi
"President Putin is bad" probably everyone thinks.
Can you properly argue against President Putin who wants to justify himself?
Is it possible to argue and refute in international law?
I have come to want to learn more about international law through the activities of the study group.
On the 17th of this month, the International Law Study Group will hold a mock trial with the plaintiff in Ukraine and the defendant in Russia to let first-year students who wish to join know the details of their activities.