【Event Report】Exploring Pathways into International Cooperation: A Cross‑Talk with Mr Furuta, UN Staff on “Career and Commitment”

On 12 April, 2026, Lumanai Samoa hosted an online cross‑talk event featuring guest speaker Yutaro Furuta, whose career spans the JICA Volunteers, entrepreneurship, and now the United Nations. Together, we explored the diverse ways individuals can engage in international cooperation.

More than 30 participants joined the session, which was filled with energy and enthusiasm—so much so that questions continued even after the scheduled end time.

This article highlights three key insights shared during the event that capture the “realities of international cooperation.”

Grassroots vs. National-Level Work: Perspectives and Tensions

Drawing from his experiences across three different layers—grassroots support as a JICA volunteer, policy work at the Ministry of Education in Jamaica, and his current role in an international organization—Furuta shared the unique roles and challenges of each.

Grassroots (JICA Volunteer) Perspective:  

He emphasized the value of being able to support individuals directly, seeing their faces, emotions, and real needs up close. At the same time, he experienced the frustration of how difficult it is for one person to change entire systems at the national or regional level.

International Organization (UN Staff) Perspective:  

Working with large budgets and influence allows for dynamic, system‑level change across an entire country. However, the distance from the field can make it harder to see whether support is truly reaching the people who need it most.

Furuta’s message—

“Because I experienced the messy realities of the field in my twenties, I can now imagine local needs even when working from a large institution like the UN.”  

—served as a powerful guidepost for young people aspiring to work in international cooperation.

80% of Your Career is Determined by Chance: Applying the Theory of Planned Happenstance

One of the most surprising and relatable topics for participants was the discussion of the Theory of Planned Happenstance, which suggests that around 80% of one’s career is shaped by unexpected events. Instead of clinging too tightly to rigid goals, being flexible and open to unforeseen opportunities ultimately shapes one’s career path.

Furuta connected this theory to his own journey:

Flexibility over rigid planning:  

• Rather than creating a strict roadmap, what matters is being ready to jump when opportunities appear.

The courage to “let go”:  

• Sometimes gaining something new requires giving up stability or familiar environments.

Choosing your environment:  

• It’s not about waiting for chances—it’s about placing yourself where opportunities are more likely to arise.

His story about resigning from his teaching job to stay in Jamaica, which later opened the door to his UN career, deeply resonated with many participants.

Why Human-to-Human Dialogue Matters in the Age of AI

During the Q&A session, the conversation turned to international cooperation in the age of AI. While AI translation and automation continue to advance, Furuta stressed the irreplaceable value of messy, human-centered consensus building.

“Finding common ground among people with different backgrounds—building agreements through genuine human connection—is something AI cannot do. Only real people can.”

His words reaffirmed the mission of Lumanai Samoa, which values face‑to‑face exchange and intercultural understanding even in an increasingly digital world.

Below are some of the comments we received from participants after the event.

In Closing: Finding Your Way of Contributing

Furuta left participants with a warm message:

“Even supporting a volunteer activity for a few hours a week from Japan counts as international cooperation. I hope you will find a way to stay involved that fits your life and circumstances.”

The event showcased many different ways to engage in international cooperation, offering valuable insights for anyone considering their future career path.

There is no single “correct” way to contribute.

Each person can choose the form of involvement that suits them—and this message from Furuta surely gave hope to many participants.

Lumanai Samoa will continue striving to be a platform that connects Japan and the world, working toward a future where everyone can express their authentic selves.

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