Press Releases
Dialogue between Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA and the Youths
July 22, 2024
On July 22, commencing at 1:40 p.m., for approximately 90 minutes, Foreign Minister Kamikawa attended the “Dialogue with the Youths: Toward the Summit of the Future” event at the United Nations University (UNU), co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the UNU, with the cooperation of the United Nations Information Centre Tokyo. The summary of the event is as follows:
- This event was held to listen to the views of the youths and to consider them in Japan's foreign policy, in the midth of the surging necessity of reflecting voices of various stakeholders, towards the Summit of the Future focusing on the SDGs and the future of the international community. 36 youths from Japan and overseas exchanged views and learned from each other.
- After the opening remarks from Prof. Marwala, Rector of the UNU, Minister Kamikawa made the following remarks:
- At a time when the world is at a historical turning point, we need to seek new ideas, innovations and a longer perspective. I strongly believe that Japan’s foreign policy should be better informed by involving the youths, the reservoirs of free ideas. Younger generations are taking the solution of global issues as their own challenge and lead a new way of life which is environmentally friendly and sustainable. By ensuring an environment where the youths and the future generations can realize their full potentials and by mainstreaming the youth in all areas of foreign policy, I believe that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can better perform our duty.
- In relation to the Summit of the Future in September, I would like to hear from the participating youths what well-being or happiness means to them. How can we enhance each other’s well-being? How can we pass those important elements of well-being to the future generations? I also would like to learn how they would like to participate in these global efforts. What is a meaningful participation in decision making? What should be done both at domestic and global settings? I will be thrilled if today’s mutual learning opportunity gives a hint for their own future.
- The participants then livelily expressed their views on the themes such as “Well-being we should seek in the future and what elements are necessary to pursue it,” and “What is meaningful participation of the youths in decision making to be involved in global initiatives and what should be done to achieve it?”
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