How Can We Be Responsible for Attaining Sustainable Development Goals

(Adapted From Official Website)

• Date: August, 5^th (Thu.) 1:00 - 4:00 to 6^th (Fri.) 10:00 - 14:00

• Venue: Nihon Fukushi University and Online

Many people predict that we will not reach the SDG goals by 2030. So far, there have been some improvements. Extreme poverty and infant mortality rates have fallen. Decent work is expanding. However, peace and democracy are still far away, and many children still do not have enough basic education. In addition, racism and discrimination against women have not improved.

　At our World Youth Meeting last year, we made a presentation on SDGs and had a lot of discussions about them. Was that enough?

Was it enough to simply introduce research and case studies?

In order to regenerate and accelerate the process, we would like to see a tight international collaboration. We would like to see a concrete indication of the direction of the next step.

The world moves on every second of every day. Our daily lives are woven into that movement, creating history day by day. Surprised and heartbroken by a coup in one country, we still go about our daily lives wishing for peace.

Shaken by problems with peace, democracy, global warming, education, and environmental issues, we row our small boat forward to the SDGs.

The world exists outside of us, but it is also inside of us. What kind of dialogue should we continue to have with ourselves and others to try to face up to the SDGs?

Sharing your thoughts in the form of a discussion could help you come up with a concrete your daily activity that could change your attitude towards the world. It will surely be one ingredient used in many possible solutions.

We don't need merely critiques. We don't need just commentaries. I will listen to your voice and I will speak up again. Honest dialogue and intellectually challenging confrontation are crucial for us all. Isn't this the kind of responsibility what will lead to the "acceleration" toward a better society?