Iwate University Graduate School and Harvard University Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies (RIJS) jointly conducted the Rikuzentakata Global Seminar as a pilot for both institutions at Rikuzentakata Global Campus.   The Program is consisted with the disaster management and crisis leadership at the classroom lectures and testimony by city officials, and the community activity participation to the local festival, Kenka Tanabata (Star Festival).   All participants made their presentations on their disaster management after the speech and Q&A session by Mayor Futoshi Toba, and received the Certification of the Completion. 

A Harvard University student shared his impression as follows: “Thank you everyone for the incredible few days – I thoroughly enjoyed the event, and sincerely hope we can do it again!”

Another one also mentioned “thank you for such a wonderful program in Rikuzentakata! It was incredibly humbling and enlightening to see the progress the city has made towards rebuilding, and it certainly inspired me to help out in whatever way I can”.