In August, the Department of Global Studies proudly hosted four Kyoto Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Challenge programs, each focusing on different SDG themes. We welcomed high school students from from Okayama Gakugeikan High School, Nara Ikuei High School, Omi Kyodaisha High School, and Osaka YMCA for an immersive two-day experience.

During this enriching program, participants delved deeply into the SDGs through a series of engaging activities. The first day featured interactive lectures, hands-on challenges, and field visits to Kyoto’s notable locations, offering a thorough exploration of sustainability. The second day highlighted the high school student presentations, where participants shared their insights and reflections with the support and guidance of our DGS students. Our students played a crucial role in helping the high school students develop thoughtful and creative presentations based on the program. This initiative not only deepened the students' understanding of the SDGs but also fostered valuable teamwork and leadership skills. It’s a testament to our commitment to inspiring the next generation of sustainability leader.

Program 1 ( Zero Hunger) by Remi Higuchi

Our team’s focus was on Zero Hunger, a key SDG goal that addresses both reducing hunger and creating sustainable food systems. On the first day, we introduced ourselves, played an ice-breaking game, and delivered a presentation on SDGs with a focus on hunger, including a worksheet and Q&A session. The students had a blast with the “Marshmallow Challenge,” where they built the tallest tower using pasta, string, tape, and scissors. We then heard from Chuck Kayser of Midori Farm on sustainable agriculture and visited a tsukemono shop, Kyoto Tsukemono Mori, to make nukazuke and learn about minimizing food loss. On the second day, the students prepared and presented their learnings, and we wrapped up with a small snack party.

Midori Farm: https://www.midorifarmkyoto.com/
Kyoto Tsukemono Mori: https://kyoto-mori.co.jp/en

Program 2 ( Climate Change) by Diaz Verna Luisa Aquino

We recently hosted a memorable 2-day program with a group of high school students, allowing for meaningful connections and learning. We began with a lecture on SDG 13, climate change, followed by an ice-breaking game to foster understanding and camaraderie. Our fieldwork included a visit to Kyoto Aquarium to explore marine environments and a trip to "Zero Waste Kyoto," where students practiced English with a UK chef and learned about zero-waste practices. On the second day, students worked hard on creating English presentations, and despite the challenge, they delivered impressively. The experience was enriching for both the university and high school participants, showcasing significant growth and learning.

Kyoto Aquarium: https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/cn_han/index.html
Zero Waste Kyoto: https://zerowaste.kyoto/

Program 3( No poverty) by Ikuma Ichizono

Our program focused on No Poverty, specifically introducing the causes of poverty in Japan. We explored income disparities, such as those between single-parent families and others, through two impactful fieldwork projects. Regarding our fieldwork site, first, a visit to Hiden-in revealed the historical efforts to alleviate poverty and highlighted the importance of helping those in need. Then, at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History, participants gained insights into how education impacts poverty, learning about the role of education in overcoming poverty and the effects of educational disparities. These experiences underscored that poverty is deeply intertwined with history and society, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to address current issues.

Hiden-in:　https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single02.php?category_id=9&tourism_id=2182
Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History: http://kyo-gakurehaku.jp/guide/english.html

Program 4 (Life on Land) by Nao Shimamoto

Kyoto SDGs Challenge program connects high school and university students to explore SDGs together. Our team chose to focus on SDG 15, specifically on animal protection and biodiversity. This focus is crucial for preserving biodiversity, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and ensuring a good environment. Protecting animals also boosts well-being and raises awareness about environmental issues. By emphasizing animal protection, we aim to highlight the importance of keeping land ecosystems healthy and sustainable, and to educate high school students on these critical environmental topics. Our program included visits to the Kyoto Animal Welfare Center and the Kyoto Biodiversity Center.

Kyoto Animal Welfare Center: https://kyoto-ani-love.com/
Kyoto Biodiversity Center: https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/biodic/

Nineteen KUFS students and three faculty members participated in the annual Japan University English Model United Nations (JUEMUN) at Notre Dame Seishin University, Okayama from June 28th to 30th. Joining over 163 delegates from 18 countries, the delegates simulated a UNESCO meeting. Along with students from Japanese universities, students also joined from universities in Canada, Ukraine, and Germany. The delegates had a wonderful opportunity to share and cross over cultural experiences and a solid understanding of each other.

JUEMUN is an annual, collaborative, and student-organized conference. Since its inception in 2010, JUEMUN has grown into a well-established English MUN experience for university students. JUEMUN participants bring various backgrounds and perspectives to make an exciting, engaging, and unforgettable UN simulation. The conference is organized by a volunteer team of university students, staff, and teachers from several host universities, who believe that JUEMUN is a wonderful way for students to learn about the most challenging global issues our world faces today by representing the government of a nation, other than their homeland, at a simulation of United Nations meetings.

The agenda of the JUEMUN 2024 was “Education for Sustainable Development”, and focused on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The agenda also included discussions related to 5 other SDGs, which are SDG12: Responsible Consumption And Production; SDG13: Climate Action; SDG14: Life Below Water; SDG15: Life On Land; and SDG16; Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions. Delegates were divided into large meetings, smaller committees, and regional blocks. During sessions, delegates delivered speeches, presented proposals, and collaborated in committee meetings to write draft resolutions on the agenda topics.

JUEMUN is an important member of the numerous and diverse global communities that have come together to try to make the world a just place for more people. JUEMUN and other international youth conferences play considerable, often underestimated roles, in encouraging students to find ways they can usefully contribute to the global community. Friendships formed among conference colleagues, destined to last a lifetime, will serve the interests of peace.

JUEMUN 2025 will be hosted by Kyoto University of Foreign Studies from June 27th to 29th on the KUFS campus.