On the afternoon of November 19th, a special event introducing Japanese culture took place at the Thai Pavilion during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Mari Honda, a student at Kanazawa University-affiliated High School, demonstrated the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, and OUIK’s researcher, Dr. Juan, spoke about the connection between Japan’s traditional culture and climate change initiatives.

The event was attended by numerous Thai government officials, including Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Director General of the Climate Change and Environmental Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Participants enjoyed Kanazawa’s traditional confectionery, kintsuba, paired with matcha while experiencing the delicacy and profound spirituality of Japanese culture.

Honda, a member of her high school’s tea ceremony club, shared her reflections: “Connecting with people from different countries through the Japanese culture of tea ceremony has been a meaningful and fresh experience for me.” Her heartfelt preparation and graceful movements captivated the audience.

The Spirit of “Ichigo Ichie” and Sustainability

Prior to Honda’s tea ceremony demonstration, Dr. Juan delivered a speech highlighting the spiritual connection between Japanese culture and environmental preservation. Dr Juan referenced the concept of “Ichigo Ichie” (treasuring each unique moment), stating, “The philosophy of valuing each moment, as well as handling water and tools with care, is deeply connected to respecting nature and using resources responsibly. Integrating these Japanese philosophies into climate change action holds great significance.”

Dr. Juan emphasized the power of Kanazawa’s tea culture and garden traditions in promoting harmony with the environment and shared thoughts on applying these ideas to global climate action strategies.

This event not only showcased the charm of Japanese culture but also provided a unique perspective on how traditional practices can inspire sustainable approaches to pressing global challenges.

This year, Nanako Kaji from Izumigaoka High School and Mari Honda from Kanazawa University Senior High School participated in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) as part of the OUIK’s “Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2024 (Youth Empowerment Program).”

A report on their appearance at the UNU-IAS talk event on November 19, 2024, can be found here.

On Saturday, November 2nd, a Mock COP29 event was held in collaboration with Kanazawa University’s COI-NEXT project, engaging high school students, international students, and researchers from Kanazawa.

The event began with an introduction by Ms, Tomita (UNU-IAS OUIK), discussing the key agenda items for COP29, which will take place in Azerbaijan this November. The upcoming COP29 is expected to address topics such as the setting of new climate finance targets, transitioning away from fossil fuels, enhancing support for climate disaster relief, and raising greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Following this, high school students involved in the “Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2024” shared their research findings in English. Their presentations offered innovative solutions to regional issues, covering topics such as sustainable port development, the utilization of abandoned farmland, methods for repurposing food waste as fish feed and etc.

During the final discussion session, participants exchanged views on how the discussions at COP29 relate to their own local issues and research. Attendees deepened their understanding of climate change and felt a stronger connection to both their local community and the global context.

This experience is expected to act as a driving force for their development as future leaders and their impact on the community.

Starting from 2024 fiscal year, OUIK has launched a new initiative aimed at youth called the “Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2024 (Youth Empowerment Program)“.

In light of the urgent and long-term impacts of various global issues such as sustainable development and climate change, opportunities for youth participation and education in these fields are increasingly vital. As a regionally rooted United Nations academic and educational institution, UNU-IAS OUIK aims to cultivate globally-minded next-generation leaders who can connect various challenges spanning global issues and local environmental, social, and economic contexts, proposing solutions through compelling dialogue.

1. Objectives of the Program

• To nurture regional youth leaders who address various global issues, including sustainable development and climate change:
  • Enhancing youth knowledge regarding global challenges, such as sustainable development and climate change, at both global and local levels.
  • Improving essential skills for effectively tackling global issues, including networking, critical thinking, research, and effective presentation.
• To position youth as key stakeholders in decision-making related to various global issues, thereby promoting their engagement.
• To empower youth to leverage the experiences and knowledge gained from this initiative to propose solutions to local challenges, contributing to a sustainable future for Kanazawa City and Ishikawa Prefecture.

2. Program Details This initiative is currently providing training courses focused on various global challenges, such as sustainable development and climate change, to 13 high school students in Kanazawa selected in April. Training topics have included local environmental issues, biodiversity and biocultural diversity, climate change challenges, and presentation skills in English. Simultaneously, the students are exploring solutions to local problems, with their findings scheduled to be presented in September. Furthermore, several participants will be selected to represent Kanazawa as youth leaders at international conferences addressing global challenges.