On 7 November 2026, UNU will host the Second Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality "Our Well-being in the Digital Age, Paved by Gender Equality". This event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and co-organized by UNU, will start at 13:30 in Elizabeth Rose Conference Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Efforts to advance gender equality and women's empowerment continue to evolve in response to changing social and technological realities. In Japan, the 6th Basic Plan for Gender Equality, launched this year, identifies the realization of diverse forms of well-being through gender equality as a key policy pillar and emphasizes the importance of addressing both the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
At the international level, UN Women has begun implementing its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which prioritizes women's leadership and decision-making, women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and humanitarian action. Reflecting the growing impact of technology on gender equality, the organization has also adopted a strategy to prevent and eliminate technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. Against this backdrop, empowering and connecting the next generation of leaders who will drive progress towards gender equality will be essential to building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.
Building on the success of the First Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality held in December last year, this year's forum will focus on well-being and the digital age. Through dialogue, research exchange and networking opportunities, it aims to equip young people with the knowledge, perspectives and connections needed to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities, while empowering them to contribute to a more gender-equal future.
This forum will welcome a high-level speaker from UN Women to deliver a keynote speech on international issues and trends surrounding gender equality. The keynote will be followed by panel discussions and presentations from young researchers.
The event will be held in English and Japanese with simultaneous interpretation. Advance registration (by 15 October) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please be prepared to present a photo ID and a digital or printed copy of the "registration completion" email (not the "application received" email) at the event registration desk.
Programme
13:00–13:30 — Registration
Opening & Keynote Speech
Panel Discussion 1
"Realizing Well-being through the Promotion of Gender Equality"
- Moderator: Renge Jibu, Associate Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo
Panellists:
- Kanako Chiba, Secretariat, Kesennuma Tsubaki-kai
- Mai Kimura, Diversity promotion/Gender Inequality Prevention Office, the Toyooka City Government, Hyogo
- Sohei Kushiyama, Chief Diversity Officer Office, People & Culture Division, NEC Corporation
- Misora Ochi, Representative director, NPO manma
- Saki Umehara, PhD student at Institute of Science Tokyo
Report from Young Researchers
- Yukino Kozaka, Japanese Youth Representative at 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
- Riyuka Suzuki, a young researcher dispatched to The Peace Research Institute Oslo
- Asuka Tomonaga, a young researcher dispatched to Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Panel Discussion 2
"Gender Equality in the Digital Age"
- Moderator: Miki Nagashima, Advocacy Group Leader, Plan International Japan
Panellists:
- Elizabeth Oda, Technical Project Manager, Braid Technologies / Co-founder, Women in Science Japan
- Akari Matsunobu, Undergraduate student at Kyushu University
- Sumire Nagamori, Representative of Hiiragi Net
- Akiko Suginohara, CEO of Code for Everyone (NPO)
Closing
Networking Reception
For the latest information about this event, please visit the website of MOFA Japan.
