APN

ASIA-PACIFIC ACADEMIC NETWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice (APN) is a university-led regional platform for dialogue, cooperation, knowledge-sharing, awareness-raising and capacity development across the Asia-Pacific region, operating in close collaboration with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

APN brings together universities, practitioners, policymakers, diplomats, students, media professionals and international organisations to strengthen understanding, cooperation and engagement in international criminal justice.

WHY APN?

Key Challenges

  • Universality:Promoting engagement across diverse legal systems and perspectives.
  • Awareness:Strengthening understanding of international criminal justice.
  • Capacity:Expanding educational and professional development opportunities.
  • Representation:Broadening participation from different countries, institutions and professional communities.

APN ECOSYSTEM

APN connects universities, practitioners, policymakers, diplomats, students, media professionals and international organisations through a shared platform for dialogue and cooperation.

Through annual forums, regional events, educational activities, research collaboration, community-building and knowledge-sharing, APN seeks to strengthen awareness, capacity, networks and cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

WHAT APN DOES

  • Annual Asia-Pacific Forum
  • Regional Events
  • Education and Capacity Development
  • Research and Academic Exchange
  • Community Building

FROM THE FORUM TO THE NETWORK

APN is the outcome of more than a decade of activities, discussions and relationship-building across the Asia-Pacific region.

A particularly important catalyst was the ICC High-Level Regional Seminar held in Seoul in 2023 with support from a European Commission grant. The ideas and relationships developed through that process contributed directly to the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Forum held in Tokyo in 2025 and to the establishment of APN.

Today, APN brings together ten leading universities from Japan, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia and cooperates with partner institutions including the ICC and the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), while maintaining its character as a university-led academic network.

Timeline

2019
Doshisha University
2020
Kyoto University
2021
EWHA Womans University Seoul National University
2024
National University of Mongolia Keio University Korea University
Jun 2024
ICC President Tomoko Akane delivered a lecture at Keio University
2025
Hitotsubashi University Yonsei University Utsunomiya University
Nov 2025
The ICC, with the support of the EU and in cooperation with Keio University, organized the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Forum.
Mar 2026
Keio University hosted a lecture by former ICC Judge Bertram Schmitt, with the cooperation of UNAFEI.
Jun 2026
An official opening of the Center for International Criminal Justice at Keio University.
Nov 2026
The Second ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Forum is scheduled to be held at Keio University.

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES & PARTNERS

Participating Universities

Japan

  • Keio University – Asia-Pacific Regional Focal Point/National Focal Point
  • Doshisha University
  • Hitotsubashi University
  • Kyoto University
  • Utsunomiya University

Republic of Korea

  • Seoul National University – Co-National Focal Point
  • Ewha Womans University – Co-National Focal Point
  • Korea University
  • Yonsei University

Mongolia

  • National University of Mongolia – National Focal Point

Partners

  • International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI)

TOWARDS A REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM

APN seeks to become a trusted regional platform connecting education, research, policy and practice in international criminal justice.

Over time, the Network aims to strengthen regional dialogue, expand participation, support capacity development and create opportunities for cooperation across universities, professional communities, public institutions, international organisations and society more broadly.

By facilitating the circulation of ideas, people, information and opportunities, APN aims to contribute to a stronger and more connected international criminal justice community throughout the Asia-Pacific region.