Keio University law students visit ITTO for insights into international forest governance
2025/06/04
Law students listen eagerly to the stories of ITTO staff members. Photo: Paula Sarigumba/ITTO
A group of law students from Keio University visited the secretariat of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) as part of a course examining the legal and institutional dimensions of international organizations. To complement their legal studies, the students sought an inclusive programme that would offer insights into the substantive and operational work of ITTO, recognizing that a thorough understanding of legal frameworks requires real-world context.
Law students from Keio University spent an insightful afternoon at the ITTO secretariat. Photo: Paula Sarigumba/ITTO
Dr Gerhard Breulmann, ITTO’s Director of Operations, provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s mission, projects, and the pressing issues facing forests, forestry, and the environment today. The session sparked engaging dialogue on international forest governance. ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru, a lawyer by training, joined the discussion to share inspiring reflections and personal anecdotes. The students also had the chance to hear from Ms Maiko Suzuki, ITTO’s Senior Finance and Administrative Assistant and an alumna of Keio University’s law school, further enriching the exchange with her perspective and experience.