Students listening to a special lecture by Iceland’s ambassador on March 5, 2026.
- Students explore global security and gender equality through UN, Iceland lectures
- UN lecture highlighted truth, safety and accuracy in AI systems
- Iceland ranked No.1 in gender equality in WEF’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) recently hosted lectures by two high-level officials in early March, providing students with the opportunity to explore perspectives on the role of the United Nations in global security issues, as well as current political and diplomatic priorities in Iceland, widely recognized as the world’s leading country for gender equality.
Students had the opportunity to gain insights from Tshilidzi Marwala, rector of the United Nations University and UN under-secretary-general, and Hreinn Pálsson, Iceland’s ambassador to Japan, at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
On March 3, 2026, Marwala of the United Nations visited TUJ to deliver a lecture on global challenges facing the international community and the role of artificial intelligence. After an introduction by Benoit Hardy-Chartrand, a senior lecturer in international affairs and political science at TUJ, Marwala noted that it was his second visit to Temple University, recalling that he had previously visited the university’s main campus in Philadelphia in 1991.
He explained that the UN is facing major challenges as the world undergoes significant changes since the current international system was established after World War II in 1945. He pointed to growing geopolitical tensions, which have raised concerns about the erosion of territorial integrity. In this context, he said, the role of the UN is becoming more important in upholding its mandate to maintain peace and security, promote human rights, and support development.
His presentation also highlighted his research on artificial intelligence, stressing the importance of improving truth, safety and accuracy in AI systems. During the Q&A session that followed, students raised questions about environmental concerns, particularly as the rapid development of the AI industry is increasing the number of data centers and water consumption. Other questions focused on escalating tensions in the Middle East and the role of the United Nations in supporting African nations and developing countries.
Gender Equality in Iceland
Two days later on March 5, Iceland’s ambassador Pálsson, visited TUJ and held a lecture entitled “Life in Diplomacy: Advancing Equality, Trade, and Global Cooperation.” The ambassador shared his deep and extensive experience being a diplomat in countries including Russia, China and the U.S. He also shared his personal experience and challenges and difficulties for instance when he had to move countries with his family as he needs to be mindful with his family to smoothly adapt to the new environment in the countries he is assigned.
Pálsson explained extensively about Iceland’s initiative to promote gender equality and how this was deeply rooted in the country over the years. Over the years, the country promoted on initiative including subsidized high-quality childcare that is available, shared parental leave that provides six months of leave for each parent with six weeks transferable between them, gender quotas as well as robust legislation requiring equal pay and gender balance on company boards. These kind of initiatives put Iceland as No.1 in gender equality in Global Gender Gap Report from the World Economic Forum in 2025.
After the ambassador’s presentation, TUJ students’ questions focused on the country’s gender equality policies and many students also sought advice from the ambassador on how to become diplomats.
Background
Tshilidzi Marwala became rector of the United Nations University in March 2023. Prior to joining UNU, he served as vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg from 2018 to 2023. Earlier in his career, he was a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London. His research focuses on artificial intelligence and its applications across engineering, economics and the social sciences. Marwala earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge and completed executive leadership programs at Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School.
Hreinn Pálsson has served as Iceland’s ambassador to Japan since 2025. A career diplomat, he has held several senior diplomatic postings, including assignments in China from 2009 to 2011, Russia from 2013 to 2017, and the U.S. from 2017 to 2021. As ambassador to Japan, he works to strengthen bilateral relations and promote cooperation in areas such as trade, sustainability and gender equality.
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