On 6 August 2024, UNU will host “Youth Engagement in Politics and the Role of Education in Building the Next Generation of Leaders”, a conversation with Ryosuke Takashima, Mayor of Ashiya City, Japan. This event will start at 18:30 in U Thant International Conference Hall (3F) at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
In the 2021 Japanese general election, fewer than 10 per cent of the 1,051 registered candidates were below 40 years old. Youth in Japan lack representation across all areas of society, from politics to business to academia. When Ryosuke Takashima was elected Mayor of Ashiya City in Hyogo Prefecture in April 2023, he became the youngest elected mayor in modern Japanese history, at just 26 years old.
In his Our Common Agenda report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres requested countries to account for the interests of future generations in national and global decision-making, and to consolidate these efforts in a Declaration on Future Generations, which will form one of the key outcome documents of the Summit of the Future to be held in September 2024.
Young people and future generations will live with the consequences of our actions and inaction today. In this context, it is critical to consider how to foster an educational environment where youth are encouraged to think about their future as global citizens and engage with how their societies are led and governed.
Ryosuke Takashima will join UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala for a conversation exploring how to reinvigorate youth engagement in the government of Japan and reform the education system to elicit the desire of students. How can Japan nurture future leaders? What needs to be done to create an environment that raises the next generation of globally minded and engaged citizens?
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 audience members are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and making new contacts.
Please note that this event will be in English. Advance registration (by 5 August at 15:00) is required.
Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
About the speaker
Born in Osaka in 1997, Ryosuke Takashima graduated from Harvard College with an AB in Environmental Science and Engineering and a minor in Environmental Science and Public Policy.
From 2016 to 2023, he served as the President of the educational non-profit Ryu-fellow, which focuses on nurturing future leaders capable of addressing global challenges. He has contributed to reforming Japanese public school education and supported proactive high school students aspiring for higher education abroad.
In April 2023, Ryosuke was elected Mayor of Ashiya City, Hyogo, becoming the youngest mayor in Japanese history in May. He is dedicated to reforming public education and engaging in community development centred around dialogue with a broad spectrum of ages, particularly emphasizing the youth.
