Sophia Magazine vol.1 / SUMMER 2015

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7 The Sophia University Angkor International Mission and the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA National Authority) completed Phase 1 of the collaborative conservation and restoration of the Angkor Wat Western Causeway in 2007. For Phase 2 of the proj-ect, due to be launched in the fall of 2015, Cultural Grant As-sistance will be applied; the necessary equipment and materials for the work will be provided based on ofcial development as-sistance (ODA) by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A delegation headed by Director-General Bun Narith, APSARA National Authority, visited Japan to attend a technical exchange training session held at Sophia on March 23. At the session, ex-perts from Cambodia and Japan got together to reect on Phase 1 of the conservation and restoration work and held discussions with an eye toward Phase 2. Under its international cooperation policy, “Conservation and restoration of Cambodian heritage carried out by Cambodians for Cambodia,” Sophia has conducted activities to preserve the ruins in the nation for approximately 20 years. In repairing the Western Causeway, modern architectural materials and massive machin-ery were not used; stone materials from approximately 500 years ago, when it was built, were cut from a quarry and used as part of efforts to restore it by using as much technology from those days as possible. In Phase 2, as in the prior phase, Cambodian masons will take charge of work while the center will be responsible for technical guidance and management in supporting the project. “Angkor Wat symbolizes the Cambodian people and it has to be conserved and restored by local people themselves so that they can be proud of it. Also in Phase 2 we will work on the proj-ect bearing in mind our starting point: moving it forward while respecting the local culture and society,” says Distinguished Professor Yoshiaki Ishizawa, who leads the Sophia University Angkor International Mission.Phase 2 Conservationand Restoration of Angkor Wat Begins The United Nations Weeks, originating in 2014, were held at Sophia University for the third time from June 8 through 19. Previously, on May 20, Sophia joined the United Nations Global Compact, a global initiative aimed at realizing sustainable devel-opment and growth. Plans were presented to promote educational research and cooperation with UNGC companies and organiza-tions. A special symposium in observance of the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations held on June 8 titled “The United Nations in the 21st Century: Reecting on the 70th anniversary and build-ing the future” attracted approximately 200 people from inside and outside the university. Angela Kane, former UN High Rep-resentative for Disarmament Affairs, pointed out in her keynote address that the budget for the UN’s peacekeeping operations is roughly one 200th of the world’s total military expenditure. She stressed the operations’ cost-effectiveness and called for greater understanding and cooperation. A panel discussion followed, where Yasushi Akashi, former UN Undersecretary-General, and Professor Yasuhiro Ueki, Faculty of Global Studies, discussed the UN’s activities to realize world peace and the adoption of a resolution aimed at internationally codifying the right to peace. A photographic exhibition titled “Nowhere People: The World’s Stateless” which focused on those with no nationality was held from June 8 through 20. The exhibition was co-sponsored by So-phia and the Ofce of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Japan, which have signed an educational part-nership agreement. At the opening ceremony, President Takashi Hayashita welcomed Michael Lindenbauer, the UNHCR Repre-sentative in Japan, and Naoko Obi, the ofce’s Senior Protection Ofcer. Eighteen photos were exhibited portraying people who live life resolutely even under unstable circumstances and with-out backing from states. In addition to these events, other seminars, lectures, and in-formation sessions related to the United Nations were also held.The 3rd United Nations Weeks Held at Sophia Sophia has continued activities to preserve the ruins of Angkor Wat for about 20 years.Michael Lindenbauer (second from right), Representative of the UNHCR in Japan, attended the exhibition’s opening ceremony.