[Musashino University] A Day to Rethink World Peace: Hosting the "Displaced Student Reunion Day"

Musashino University (Koto-ku, Tokyo; President: Seiko Konishi) co-hosted the "JEPN Student Reunion Day" with the Japan Education Pathways Network (JEPN) at its Ariake Campus on Monday, March 16.

Four years have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and unstable social conditions continue to persist for long periods in countries like Syria and Afghanistan. Amidst these circumstances, the "JEPN Student Reunion Day" is held once a year as a place for displaced students and graduates living in Japan to gather and interact.

This event aims to create an opportunity for participants to reflect on their experiences in Japan and think about their futures. This year, the event was held at our university in three parts. Students from Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan, as well as Japanese students, participated and engaged in interaction. During the third-part reception party, Lilia Morska, who completed her graduate studies at our university last September, participated and performed a song.

[Event Overview] Date and Time: Monday, March 16, 2026, 13:00–20:00 Venue: Musashino University, Ariake Campus, Buildings 4 and 5 (3-3-3 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) *7-minute walk from Kokusai-tenjijo Station (Rinkai Line) / 6-minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station (Yurikamome) Organizer: Jointly hosted by the Japan Education Pathways Network (JEPN) and Musashino University

[What We Want to Convey to Japanese Society Based on the Differences Between Our Home Countries and Japan] In the first part, under the theme of "My Home Country I Want to Share" and "What I Honestly Want to Convey to Japanese Society," one student representative each from Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan gave a presentation. While all the students held complex feelings about the strong image of war and conflict associated with their home countries, they introduced the culture and charms of their nations. Many students nodded in empathy as the speakers touched upon the difficulty of talking about war and their struggles with the label of "refugee," while expressing their desire for deeper understanding of their home countries.

On the other hand, Japanese participants commented that the information obtained from the news is fragmented and that the event made them rethink the current situation where peace is taken for granted.

Following this, group work was conducted on the same theme. Opinions were exchanged on how to communicate the situation in their home countries and the commonalities between each nation, serving as an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding.

In the second part, an opportunity was provided to think about careers through stories from corporate representatives and senior students who have experienced job hunting in Japan. While many students aim for careers that utilize the skills and experiences cultivated in both their home countries and Japan, there are not a few cases where they are bewildered by Japan's unique job-hunting process. Participants took time to think about their own careers for the purpose of finding employment in Japan (The second part was co-hosted with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)).

[Reception Party] In the third part, faculty and staff from our university also participated, and a reception party was held with a total of about 100 people. The participants appeared relaxed and enjoyed interacting with friends they had reunited with after a long time. At the end of the gathering, Lilia Morska, who completed her graduate studies at our university last September, performed the Ukrainian song "Na Nebi" (In the Sky) and the Japanese song "Michiteyuku" (Filling Up). As both are famous songs in their respective countries, some participants were seen humming along, making it a peaceful moment where they could spend time harmoniously with friends even amidst difficult circumstances.

[Continuous Interaction and Support for the Growth of Diverse Students] This event served as a valuable opportunity for students with different backgrounds to share their experiences and values, deepen their understanding, and think about their futures. We will continue to support the learning and growth of diverse students through such initiatives.

[About Musashino University] Founded in 1924 as Musashino Joshi Gakuin with the ideal of character education rooted in Buddhist spirit. Preceded by Musashino Women's College, it was renamed Musashino University in 2003. Since becoming co-educational in 2004, it has promoted university reform and developed into a comprehensive university with over 13,000 students across 13 faculties, 21 departments, 13 graduate schools, and a correspondence division. In 2019, it established the first Faculty of Data Science at a private university in Japan. In 2021, it established the first Faculty of Entrepreneurship in Japan and launched the university-wide common foundation curriculum "Musashino INITIAL," which makes "AI utilization" and "SDGs" compulsory subjects. In 2023, it established the first Department of Sustainability in Japan. In 2024, it celebrated its 100th anniversary and established the world's first Faculty of Well-being. The university is advancing reforms to foster creative talent for the future of 2050. Musashino University Website: https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/