[Call for Participants] Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2025 (Youth Empowerment Program)

The OUIK is excited to announce the launch of a new program aimed at developing youth leaders in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, since the 2024 academic year.

As the urgency of various global challenges—such as sustainable development and climate change—grows, it is increasingly important to create opportunities for youth to participate in and learn about these vital issues. As a UN academic institution rooted in our community, UNU-IAS OUIK seeks to connect global challenges with local environmental, social, and economic contexts. Our goal is to propose actionable solutions through engaging discussions, thereby cultivating a new generation of global leaders who are ready to tackle these challenges.

Highlights of the 2024 academic year main activities:

For those interested in joining the program, please make sure to read the application guidelines carefully before applying.

For a PDF version of this announcement, please click here.(in Japanese only)

Program Goals

To nurture local youth leaders who can address pressing global challenges such as sustainable development and climate change.
・To increase youth awareness and understanding of both global and local issues related to sustainable development and climate change.
・ To enhance essential skills necessary for effectively responding to global challenges, including networking, critical thinking, research, and presentation abilities.
To empower youth to become key stakeholders in decision-making processes related to these global challenges.
To contribute to the achievement of a sustainable future for Ishikawa Prefecture by encouraging youth to leverage the knowledge and experience gained from this program to find solutions to local issues.

Program Structure and Content
We will select up to 13 high school students from Ishikawa Prefecture to participate in training sessions addressing various global challenges, including sustainable development and climate change. Throughout the training period, students will engage in activities aimed at exploring and proposing solutions to local issues. Some participants will also be chosen to represent Ishikawa as youth leaders at international conferences focusing on these global challenges. Here are the details:

Training Overview:
The training will focus on acquiring the following knowledge and skills:

Understanding global and regional climate change and other environmental issues.
Developing skills necessary for effectively addressing global challenges, including networking, critical thinking, research methods, and presentation techniques.
The ability to investigate local issues related to global challenges and propose actionable solutions.

Tentative Training Schedule:
Training activities will occur between June and August 2025. (Dates may change due to operational needs.)

Session 1 (Orientation): June 11, 2025 (Wednesday) after school*
Session 2: June 25, 2025 (Wednesday) after school*
Session 3: July 9, 2025 (Wednesday) after school*
Session 4: July 23, 2025 (Wednesday) after school*
Session 5: August 4, 2025 (Joint Online Training with UNU-IAS Midori Platform)*
Session 6: August 5, 2025 (Joint Online Training with UNU-IAS Midori Platform)*
Presentation and Interview: August 23, 2025 (Saturday) afternoon

*Sessions will be held in a hybrid format (participants can attend in person at the Shiinoki Cultural Complex seminar room or join online).

Opportunities for Domestic and International Conferences: A select number of participants may be chosen based on their research presentations and interviews to serve as youth leaders at international conferences. Interviews for those wishing to participate in these conferences will take place after the presentation event on August 23, 2025. Please note that the specifics regarding dispatch to conferences may change based on various circumstances.

Outreach Activities: An event summarizing insights and experiences from this program, including training and participation in international conferences, is scheduled for February-March 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants:

High school students attending school in Ishikawa Prefecture who are interested in global issues like sustainable development and climate change (Application period: April 6 to May 4, 2025).
Individuals with a strong commitment to participating in program activities and contributing to problem-solving.
Language proficiency: Ability to communicate in English (lectures and presentations will be conducted in English).
Consent: Agreement to allow the use of photos/videos taken during training and reporting activities in UN University promotional materials.
Submission of all application documents, including a parental consent form, by the deadline.

Number of Participants:

Up to approximately 13 students (with a few selected for international conference participation).

Costs:

Training course: Free of charge.
Note: Participants may need to bring their own PCs for the training sessions. Travel expenses to the training venue will be covered by participants.

For those selected to participate in international conferences, the UN University will cover the following expenses, consistent with its policies:

Round-trip airfare (economy class) from Komatsu to the conference location.
Visa fees: Costs associated with obtaining entry visas (if applicable).
Per diem: Expenses for accommodation, meals, and local transportation.

Please note: Participants will be responsible for other expenses, such as passport application fees and overseas travel insurance.

Support from the United Nations University
UN University researchers and coordinators will provide support in the following ways:

Guidance on exploratory activities during training (including advice on problem framing, research methods, and outputs, along with connections to experts).
Preparation for participation in international conferences (including tips for presentations and conference activities).

Application Period

From April 6 to May 4, 2025.

How to Apply
Please submit the following documents via email or postal mail:

Application form for the Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2025 (Youth Empowerment Program).
Parental consent form for participation in the training course.

You can download the required documents here.

Note: Please remember to download the documents before making any edits.

Submission Address:
Email: unu-iasouik@unu.edu (please attach documents in PDF format)
Postal: 2-1-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0962
3rd floor, Shiinoki Cultural Complex
United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Operating Unit Ishikawa Kanazawa (OUIK)
Attn: Tomita
TEL: 076-224-2266

Selection Process and Result Announcement
Selections will be made based on the submitted documents.

The selection results are planned to be announced via email on May 14, 2025.