On 27 August 2026, UNU will host "Shaping the Present, Defining the Future: Youth Involvement in Public Policy", a conversation with Ms. Kaoru Fukuda, Member of the House of Representatives and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. This event will begin at 18:30 in the 2F Reception Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
The 2026 International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” recognizes that while young people worldwide live in diverse circumstances, they share many of the same hopes for a peaceful, inclusive and sustainable future. These aspirations are taking shape within societies that are increasingly interconnected and undergoing rapid changes such as demographic shifts, technological transformation, conflict and economic uncertainty. For aspirations to become reality, institutions must work to understand different experiences, engage with a wider range of perspectives and create meaningful opportunities for people, especially young people, to contribute to decisions that affect their future.
For this special Conversation Series event held as part of UNU Youth Month, Ms. Kaoru Fukuda will join UNU Junior Fellow Yurika Morii for a conversation exploring how political leadership can incorporate diverse perspectives into policymaking and how youth can proactively engage with this process. The discussion will cover questions such as: How can public institutions better connect with people of different ages, genders, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds? What does meaningful engagement look like beyond elections? And how can young people contribute to policymaking at local, national and international levels?
The UNU Conversation Series aims to foster audience participation; you are encouraged to engage with the speakers during the conversation and at the reception that will follow, where all event attendees are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and making new contacts. Young people will be especially encouraged to actively contribute throughout this session.
Please note that this event will be in English. Advance registration (by 26 August at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page. Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
Please note that food and photography are prohibited during events at UNU Headquarters, unless prior permission is granted by UNU.
About the Speaker
Kaoru Fukuda is a Member of the House of Representatives and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Before entering elected office in 2024, Ms. Fukuda served as a civil servant at Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. During her career in public administration, she gained experience in domestic and international policymaking, including work related to agriculture, food security and international cooperation. She has also undertaken internships with international organizations.
Ms. Fukuda holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and a master’s degree from Columbia University. She has worked on a wide range of policy issues affecting the future of people's lives, including employment and wages, social security reform, education and food security. As Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, she is currently focused on promoting lifelong learning and reskilling opportunities, reforming higher education and advancing the participation of diverse talent in the teaching profession, with the aim of building a society in which people can continue to work with confidence amid rapid social change.
