The Ritsumeikan Super Global Forum (RSGF) 2025 will be held from November 9–13, 2025 at Ritsumeikan High School, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, Japan. This year’s theme is “Coexistence – What Might We Do to Create a Society Where Everyone Can Live Together Peacefully and Harmoniously?”, with five focus areas: equity and equality, cultural identity and diversity, natural environment and sustainability, technology and society, and mental health.
The forum brings together high school students (ages 15–18) and teachers from around the world to research, present, and discuss global issues. Through poster sessions, cultural performances, and collaborative activities, participants will share ideas, develop action plans, and build international friendships.
Yasuhiro Higashitani
Principal
Greetings, dear students, friends, dreamers, and changemakers. Welcome to Ritsumeikan! Welcome to the 2025 Ritsu Super Global Forum!
We are gathered in this milestone year marking Ritsumeikan’s 120th anniversary, not only to make history but to shape the future. It brings us great pleasure and honor to once again bring together so many brilliant and passionate minds who are committed to building a brighter world. Your presence is a spark of hope...hope that the challenges of today can be transformed into the opportunities of tomorrow.
This year’s theme, “Coexistence,” invites us to look beyond ourselves. It asks us: How can we live together – not only with one another, but also with nature? How can the many diverse cultures and systems that shape our world come together in harmony? As global citizens, we are called not only to understand differences, but to nurture relationships rooted in mutual respect, empathy, and collaboration that will guide the world forward.
In the face of today’s urgent global challenges—from environmental crises to social division—coexistence is no longer a choice; it is a necessity. Through this forum, we hope you will explore the true meaning of coexistence: not merely peaceful coexistence, but active cooperation toward the regeneration and protection of our shared planet.
A special highlight of RSGF 2025 is the student-led project chosen through the Ritsumeikan 120th Anniversary Student Challenge. As part of this initiative, students will create “Candles of Coexistence” using recycled materials—an inspiring symbol of hope, sustainability, and shared purpose. These handmade candles embody the spirit of renewal and collective creativity, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The Rits Super Global Forum has always been more than just a conference. It is a gathering of minds and hearts, a celebration of diversity, and a space where your ideas matter and your voices can be heard. As you join the discussions and workshops, we encourage you to remain open-minded, engage wholeheartedly, speak bravely and build meaningful connections across borders—intellectually, emotionally, and as fellow human beings. Let these encounters be moments of learning and transformation.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the principals, educators, and supporters who have made RSGF 2025 possible. Your dedication continues to empower the next generation of changemakers. Together, let us make this forum a meaningful step toward a world where coexistence is not just an ideal, but a lived reality for all. And may the spark you bring today become a flame that lights the ways for others tomorrow.
Thank you!
Rinka Yamada
Student Representative
Hello everyone! I’m Rinka Yamada, the student representative of RSGF 2025. On behalf of the executive committee, it is my great honour to welcome all of you from all over the world.
First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers and staff who have supported us in organising and preparing this year’s RSGF, as well as to the executive committee members for their hard work over more than half a year. Without their efforts, this RSGF would not be possible.
The main theme of RSGF 2025 is “Coexistence – How Might We Create a Society Where Everyone Can Live Together Peacefully and Harmoniously?” This is not just a simple question, but a challenge that touches every corner of today’s world. We live in an era where global issues affect all of us. None of these problems can be solved by a single community or country. That is why it is so important for us to be gathered here from around the world here at RSGF: to listen, to learn, and to create solutions together.
Coexistence is not simply about living side by side. It is about respect, understanding, and creating systems that allow every person to thrive. To explore this theme more deeply, we have set up five topics: equity and equality, cultural identity and diversity, environment and sustainability, technology and society, and mental health. I believe our discussions will not only bring valuable insights but also generate fresh viewpoints that can inspire action beyond this forum.
Over the next five days, we will engage in thoughtful discussions on these issues. However, RSGF is not only about exchanging ideas, it is also about sharing your lived experiences, your own cultures, and your hopes for the future. Together, we can weave these perspectives into a collective vision of coexistence.
In addition to discussions, we have prepared several opportunities for you to experience Japan, such as cultural exchange events, Japanese cultural workshops, fieldwork, and more. I hope these experiences enrich your stay and spark friendships that will last long after RSGF ends.
Finally, I truly hope that RSGF 2025 will be a meaningful experience for each of you. Let’s make RSGF 2025 an unforgettable one that inspires us all to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.