Empowering youth-led sustainable development: spotlight on Japan’s Youth Committee for ESD

Youth Forum: building national-level networks and discussions

One of the committee's key activities is the Youth Forum, which serves as a platform for young people from all walks of life to collaborate on ESD topics alongside high school students, educators, NGOs, and government officials. The inaugural annual Youth Forum was held in January 2024 and centred around "Addressing climate change issues and revitalizing education for ESD." Here, participants discussed the need for multi-generational cooperation to address environmental and social challenges effectively, moving beyond the common dichotomy of "Youth vs. older generations."

The forum fostered deep conversations on collective approaches to sustainable development. Ms Wakana Azuma, a committee member passionate about educational development in developing countries, observes, "Student organizations often face challenges such as fluctuating membership and issues related to continuity and budget. It's wonderful to have a platform to share insights on how to overcome these shared challenges."

Mr Kanto Kawakami, a student representative for the secretariat of an exchange programme involving 11 UNESCO Associate Schools (ASP-net schools) in Okayama prefecture, echoes this sentiment. She notes how inspiring it was for attendees to learn from other initiatives and hear different opinions, stating "It's incredibly rewarding to see our activities help broaden others' perspectives."

Local initiatives: fostering community-centred ESD efforts

In addition to national events, the committee champions ESD activities at the local level, bringing meaningful engagement to communities across Japan. One such initiative was a dialogue-based workshop held in collaboration with Higashi-Hiroshima City and Hiroshima University. This workshop focused on discussing an ideal evacuation centre in a culturally diverse setting, addressing the social and practical challenges that might arise in a crisis. This activity gave participants a hands-on experience in dialogue-based learning, an approach that is still gaining traction in Japan.

Ms Maoko Kobayashi, a committee member dedicated to promoting inquiry-based learning among high school students, highlighted the importance of such workshops. By providing opportunities for young people to engage in structured, constructive dialogue, the committee is encouraging a more inclusive, adaptable approach to problem-solving - a core principle of ESD. She explains, "This was an opportunity for participants to experience the type of dialogue-based learning that I want to promote. In Japan, such opportunities for dialogue-based learning are still rare, so it is important to provide this experience to as many people as possible."

A growing network of youth leaders and international exchange

While the committee has firmly established its national presence, it is also broadening its reach internationally, encouraging Japanese youth to participate in global dialogues on sustainable development. For example, Ms Azuma represented Japan in the Third International UNESCO Modelin Kazakhstan in 2024. "Through my participation, I was able to build connections with youth from other countries. I aim to create regional and global connections to share youth perspectives on environmental and peace issues, ensuring that the voices of youth are heard in the international community."

Through these international exchanges, committee members can reflect Japan's ESD achievements and learn from other countries' experiences. Such connections extend the impact of Japanese youth beyond their national borders, contributing to a more collaborative and unified approach to global challenges.

Many members of the Youth Committee, including Ms Kobayashi and Mr Kawakami, participated actively in ESD programmes during their high school years and now find themselves as advocates and leaders, creating ESD opportunities for current students. This cycle of influence is one of the most promising aspects of the committee's work, with each generation of young leaders inspiring the next to tackle sustainable development challenges.

Ms Kobayashi shares, "I want to continue supporting high school students' education. I am conducting research on how to promote and implement inquiry-based learning in high schools and plan to continue my research through a doctoral programme, contributing to the development of this field alongside my work with the national committee."

Through their work, committee members not only contribute to the development of ESD in Japan but also serve as role models, encouraging more young people to participate in sustainability-focused learning.

Looking ahead: The future of youth-led ESD in Japan

Though relatively new, the youth committee is paving the way for a new generation of young leaders who are committed to promoting sustainability through education. Ms Azuma hopes that as they develop more activities, the youth committee will "become a hub for youth activities in Japan, connecting youth across the country with teachers, experts, government officials, and other youth members."

And, Ms Azuma points out, "By connecting youth across Japan and with others worldwide, we are going to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and that our ideas and perspectives are represented in the pursuit of a sustainable, peaceful world."