On March 16, 2024, a special event titled “Mirai Shikou Kanazawa” (Future-Oriented Kanazawa) was held at Kanazawa University. This event consisted of a Presentation Forum for high school research results and an International Conference for high school students (side event). In collaboration with Kanazawa University, the United Nations University co-hosted the “Youth and Climate Action Conference,” which saw the participation of 30 high school students from both within and outside Ishikawa Prefecture.
During the presentation forum (main conference), students presented their research findings and received evaluations from experts, including university faculty, in order to deepen their learning and research. Additionally, the forum provided opportunities for students to exchange ideas and interact with each other, enhancing their knowledge and expanding their social networks.
Meanwhile, the Side event “Youth and Climate Action Conference” aimed to encourage youth participation in addressing the urgency of climate change and its long-term impacts. Workshops and discussions were held to connect local and global issues, covering topics from fundamental knowledge to the latest trends.
In the morning session, lectures and a Q&A on climate change were conducted. Presentations were delivered by Akio Takemoto (UNU-IAS), Professor Ikuho Kouchi (Kanazawa University), and researcher Dr. Juan Pastor-Ivars (UNU-IAS OUIK), covering foundational knowledge about climate change, as well as the latest global discussions, circular economy concepts, and the relationships between biodiversity and climate change.
In the afternoon session, a workshop was conducted with the support of Mana Saza (SWiTCH General Incorporated Association). Through Saza’s presentation, participants learned about the global impacts of climate change and how these issues relate to their daily lives.
Furthermore, in the second half of the workshop, groups discussed how to perceive challenges and translate them into actionable initiatives.
This event aimed to cultivate the next generation of leaders by sharing knowledge and discussing climate change, working towards building a sustainable future. Participants deepened their understanding under the guidance of experts and enhanced their motivation to take action toward problem-solving from both local and global perspectives.
