The existence and challenges faced by sexual minorities, including LGBT individuals, are gradually becoming recognized nationwide through various activities. However, compared to large metropolitan areas like Tokyo, there are fewer individuals in rural areas who are able to come out, making it difficult to view issues related to sexual minorities as personal concerns.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in September 2015, promote a society where everyone can live authentically and equally, based on the philosophy of “leaving no one behind.” Various stakeholders are encouraged to form partnerships and work towards this goal. This forum aims to collect insights and experiences from education, business, local governments, and civil society to discuss creating a more livable society centered around LGBT issues, ultimately sending a message from Kanazawa about a “local model for SDG implementation.”
Organizer: LGBT and Education Forum Executive Committee
Co-organizers: United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Kanazawa Operating Unit
Cooperation: Rainbow Kanazawa, Certified NPO Good Aging Yells
Support: United Nations Information Centre (UNIC Tokyo), Ishikawa University Consortium, Kanazawa Young Men’s Association, SDGs Business Consortium Kanazawa, Chūnichi Shimbun, Hokuriku Chūnichi Shimbun, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and others.
Schedule:
10:30-12:00 Session 1: “What Children Are Looking For from the Perspective of Teachers”
Panelists:
- Shigetoshi Suzuki (Openly gay elementary school teacher in Tokyo)
- Sumiko Doi (Teacher and educational counseling officer at Kanazawa Nisu High School)
- Kazuya Morita (Medical student at Kanazawa University involved in campaigns to improve knowledge and awareness regarding youth and sexual issues)
Moderator: Hiroyuki Taniguchi (Professor, Takaoka University of Law)
13:00-14:30 Session 2: “Education through Sports and Culture Looking Towards 2020”
Panelists:
- Hiroshi Hase (Member of the House of Representatives / Chair of the Parliamentary Group on LGBT Issues)
- Kazushi Fujiwara (Popular gay YouTuber from Fukui Prefecture, known for his realistic LGBT films)
- Naoki Ota (Gay individual from Osaka, operates the entertainment site “Yaru Kiaribi” focusing on LGBT themes)
Moderator: Fumino Sugiyama (Representative of Tokyo Rainbow Pride, former member of Japan’s women’s fencing team)
14:45-16:15 Summary Session: “SDGs x LGBT in the Community – What It Means to Create Learning Spaces for Citizens”
Panelists:
- Ken Matsunaka (Director, Certified NPO Good Aging Yells, from Kanazawa City)
- Nobusuke Kawakami (2018 Chair of Kanazawa Young Men’s Association)
- Takeyoshi Iwamoto (Associate Professor, Kanazawa University)
Moderator: Mikiko Nagai (Secretary-General, UNU-IAS OUIK)
16:30-18:30 Networking Reception: “Discussing, Learning, and Connecting with LGBT in Kanazawa!”
Venue: Reception Hall, 2nd Floor, Shiinoki Geihinkan
Participation Fee: 1,500 yen (to be paid on the day of the event at the registration desk)
Hosts: CHIGA OGAWA and Tora Abu (Abudora)
Participants are welcome to use their real names, nicknames, or aliases during registration. Partial participation in sessions or attendance at the reception only is also welcome.
For Those interested in Childcare (for preschool-aged children):
There will be no childcare services at the event venue. Attendance with preschool-aged children is not permitted during forum sessions until 16:15. However, participation with children is welcome at the networking reception starting at 16:30.
Nearby childcare facilities can be found, the closest being the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum Daycare room (5-minute walk away).
Childcare Room Information
If space is available, you can use these facilities, so please make a reservation as soon as possible if needed. A portion of the costs will be covered by the executive committee, so please remember to keep the receipt.
If you need any additional accommodations, kindly let us know during your registration so we can do our best to address your needs. Please feel free to reach out.
