NEWS

On Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30, the Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) hosted the Asia Pacific Conference 2025.

As the largest English-language international academic conference in the humanities and social sciences in Japan, the AP Conference has been held annually since 2003 to provide researchers from around the world with opportunities to present their work. The conference aims to contribute to the realization of APU’s vision of “Shape Your World” by engaging in academic discussions on the challenges facing the Asia Pacific region and the wider world.

This year’s theme was “Rediscovering Cooperation in a Fragmenting World.” Over the two days, more than 300 participants from 43 countries and regions gathered for a total of 67 sessions, including 45 presentations by researchers and 22 by students. Attendees represented over 60 universities and institutions worldwide, including Kyoto University, Waseda University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Warsaw.

In his opening remarks, APU President Hiroshi Yoneyama addressed the participants by saying: “We face a fundamental contradiction: global challenges that demand cooperation and an increasingly divided world. As you engage in panels and conversations over these two days, I encourage you to move beyond simply analyzing fragmentation toward actively practicing cooperation. Build networks. Find common ground across disciplines and borders. Leave here not just with new knowledge but with new partnerships. Let us rediscover cooperation—together.”
The keynote speech entitled “Forging Cooperation in a Fragmented World” was delivered by APU alumnus Morse Flores (College of Asia Pacific Studies, Class of 2006, Philippines), who currently works as Human Rights Officer at the Secretariat of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. In his speech, he emphasized the following point: “Fragmentation is not inevitable. In times like these, we must rediscover pathways of dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation. The Asia Pacific region embodies profound diversity and immense potential for leadership in promoting peace through collaboration. Rediscovering cooperation begins with choices made in classrooms, research labs, and communities. Even in a fragmented world, cooperation remains humanity’s greatest resource and the surest path to peace.”
The lecture was followed by an active Q&A session and discussion among the participants.

In an era of division, this conference itself, which brings together scholars, practitioners, and students from dozens of countries to share knowledge and build networks, stands as a testament to the possibilities of cooperation. Participant feedback was positive, with comments such as: “The wide range of research presentations allowed me to engage in discussions beyond my own field. It was a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspectives.”

APU will continue to provide platforms for academic exchange and contribute to solving social issues through initiatives like the AP Conference.