UNAFEI
The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) is a United Nations regional institute, in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. Out of all of the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNI), UNAFEI has the longest history.
It was established in 1962 by an agreement between the United Nations and the Japanese government, with the aim of promoting improvement of Criminal Justice Systems from the cooperation of the nations of the Far East and the Pacific Region. The regions of focus have expanded from Asia and Latin America to East Europe and to Africa. UNAFEI has achieved 4,800 alumni, in more than 131 countries.
UNAFEI is guided by the United Nations Conventions, Criminal Policies, and Standards of Norms, as well as being administrated by the Japanese government. The Japanese government has been funding UNAFEI since 1970. Training is financed by the ODA (Official Development Assistance), which is a corporation assisting developing countries.
participants. UNAFEI fights against transnational crimes such as organized crimes, economic crimes and corruption, and cybercrimes, and assist the development of sound criminal justice systems, promoting cooperation. International Activities held by UNAFEI include international courses and senior seminars, for example, regional seminar on Good Governance for Southeast Asian countries, dispatch of staff as experts, and overseas joint seminars. Extracurricular activities include study tours, sports, cultural activities, and Japanese lessons, which are arranged by volunteers. Participants get to know each other and build friendship.
In 1962, UNAFEI held its first International Training course. Since then, one seminar and two international training courses are held every year.
For each course and seminar, a theme is chosen on the crime prevention and criminal justice by the professors and director. The theme has to fit the policies of the United Nations and the Ministry of Justice, and to fit the International Trend, based on the needs of the participating countries. Developing countries lack of resources and equipment, so they need cooperation from other countries. The United Nations works to develop friendly relations and peace between the nations of the world. The Ministry of Justice works to achieve prosperity. Cooperation is always the key to solving problems.
Training includes activities of public lectures and group discussions between experts, professors, and participants. Visiting experts have professional or expertise that they are can apply to the discussion topics, and they encourage and enhance the participants.
There are 3 fundamental approaches of training. The first approach is the practical approach. This involves practical work-lectures and group discussion, allowing the exchange of knowledge for finding effective solutions related to everyday work. The second approach is the integrated approach. By discussing with people who have different methods, authorities, expertise, backgrounds, and experiences, the solutions build up from different aspects. This is an opportunity of breaking down occupational boundaries. The third approach of training is the comparative approach. When comparing problems (using presentations), participants can experience different cultures and legal practices.
Their facilities are the library, the lounge for participants to socialize, the dorms, the rooms for visiting experts, the sports room, and the cafeteria.
Lectures are held in the conference rooms in English. There is a small both that allows for 2 interpreters to translate from English and Japanese. The International School Network is planning to hold a discussion meeting at this conference room on June 16th, 2014. Please contact us if you are interested
(Reported by Madoka Nishina)
Participants
Madoka Nishina 10th Saint Maur International School
Karen Nishina 4th Saint Maur International School