Message from the Center Director
Prof. Yuri Yoshida
Director, Nagasaki University Center for Diversity and Inclusion
As a vice-president of Nagasaki University, I took up my appointment as Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion on April 1, 2019. I have thus far, from the perspective of my own field of developmental and clinical psychology, conducted research and practiced in child-rearing support and support for children with developmental disorders and their guardians in childcare settings. With regard to the circumstances of development from infant to child and student, as well as the adults who support that development, I have spent my days on research and practice focusing on the raising of a great variety of children. However, I never imagined that I would be placed in a position to support diversity in the ways that the faculty live and work, and attain and support work-life balance. I am prepared to continue with the diversity support policy of Nagasaki University that my predecessor, Dr. Masako Ito, worked on in a pioneering manner and has thus far been created, while carving out my own new niche. I am sure that my days will from now on be occupied with the search for what the Center can do as an organization, and I hope that I can count upon everyone’s ongoing support.
With one opportunity being provided by Nagasaki University’s selection in 2015 for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Initiative for the Implementation of the Diversity Research Environment , an array of activities have been carried out so far. In terms of research support, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides programs for fostering female leaders and support women returning to work after maternity, parenting or caring and so on, and conducts workstyle innovation activities as a means of reassessing ways of working. In terms of creating systems able to support life events, the Center established and runs the OMOYAI Nursery School on-campus childcare service to assist the balancing of child-rearing with research and work. Furthermore, as a form of assistance for balancing career and caring, the Center is working on the creation of a mechanism in collaboration between the workplace and community. The support of LGBT is also a new issue.
However, the above activities are not all-encompassing support to tackle everything that we can do. One by one, all of these themes exist in a convergent manner within each individual and are, moreover, intimately connected to society. It is inclusive initiatives that are being called for, and that is why the Center’s name focuses on the words “diversity” and “inclusion.” In addition to the “diversity” in our name, our definition of “inclusive” incorporates the sense of “comprehensiveness.” The Center will continue to promote the creation of an organization in which all faculty members can maximize their experience and knowledge, where they respect each other and feel it is easy and fulfilling to work. In addition, we will carry on spreading our message in the hope that not just the University but the whole of the Nagasaki in which we lead our lives is a pleasant place to live in. And in order to do so, I would appreciate it if everyone shares their opinions with us. I look forward to all your assistance and kind cooperation in the future.