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From the destruction of the natural environment to the crisis of democracy and capitalism, the global environment is in a state of unprecedented turmoil. As we consider the future, the choices we make for the next step are of critical importance. In this session, which explores the concept of ‘ethical living’—a lifestyle that prioritises ethical choices in clothing, food, and housing—we would like to welcome legendary pioneers and challengers who have opened new doors in areas such as fair trade, organic products, and traceability, as well as activists who continue to push the boundaries of ethical fashion. Together, we aim to create a space for meaningful dialogue to explore what the next crucial step should be for our collective future.

<Programme Summary>
The session centered on the concept of 'ethical living,' which encourages individual behavioral change to build a sustainable society in response to global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. It was made clear that ethical living is not just a personal lifestyle choice but deeply tied to structural transformation in society. Through the practices and research shared by the panelists, the discussion reaffirmed that ethical consumption and lifestyle choices can generate new social value and that institutional design and education are crucial to support them sustainably. The session emphasized the importance of a shared vision and ongoing dialogue among people of different backgrounds to co-create and deepen the concept of ethical living.

<Speaker Summary-Yoshiko Ikoma>
Yoshiko Ikoma, a long-time advocate of ethical fashion and sustainable lifestyles, opened the session by stating that 'everyday ethical choices' can drive social change in the face of global challenges. She pointed to issues throughout the supply chain such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and labor exploitation, emphasizing the importance of embedding socially conscious decisions in daily life. She highlighted the fashion industry’s significant environmental impact and exploitative structures, stressing the power of consumer engagement. Ikoma described 'ethical' not as a trend, but as a fundamental philosophy for rebuilding relationships with people and nature, requiring deep societal perspective. She introduced alternative values emerging among the younger generation and local circular economy models, advocating for collectively nurturing the 'standard of the future.' She concluded that ethical living is not about restriction, but about transitioning to a richer and more meaningful way of life, and stressed the value of Expo 2025 as a space for co-creation across sectors.

<Speaker Summary-Safia Minney>
Social entrepreneur and founder of REAL Sustainability CIC, Safia Minney, spoke passionately about the transformative power of ethical consumption. She raised awareness about child labor and exploitation within the fashion industry, referencing her 'Slave to Fashion' campaign that exposed the structural violence consumers unknowingly contribute to. She emphasized that each piece of clothing we choose can impact someone’s life and urged consumers to understand the weight of their purchasing decisions. Minney argued that both companies and consumers must undergo a shift in consciousness to enable sustainable production and consumption. She demanded full traceability and transparency from global brands and ethical standards throughout the supply chain. Citing youth-led movements for climate justice and ethical consumption that are already influencing policies, she emphasized the importance of offering alternative choices and storytelling to inspire change. She concluded by stating that education, business, and policy must collaborate to evolve into an economy grounded in ethics, and expressed her commitment to using Expo 2025 as a catalyst for this change.

<Speaker Summary- Gordon Renouf>
Gordon Renouf, co-founder of Good On You, emphasized the importance of providing information to empower consumers to make sustainable and ethical choices. Based on his experience developing evaluation criteria and data-driven platforms, he stressed the necessity of both the 'power to choose' and 'environments that enable choice.' Good On You independently rates fashion brands on environmental impact, labor rights, and animal welfare, providing consumers with accessible scores. He explained that maintaining credibility and fairness in evaluations requires extensive research and cooperation across the industry. He noted that companies increasingly use these evaluations to identify areas for improvement. Renouf pointed out that information asymmetry contributes to consumer indifference and advocated for greater transparency to build trust. He also highlighted the importance of respecting local contexts and cultural differences when designing evaluation criteria. He concluded by stating that consumption is a daily vote on the state of the world and that spreading information literacy and ethical decision-making is key to creating a better economy and society.

<Speaker Summary- Sally V. Fox>
Sally V. Fox, an organic cotton breeder since the 1970s, offered a perspective connecting agriculture and clothing. She criticized conventional agriculture for degrading soil and ecosystems and promoted organic farming as an alternative. She shared her long-term research on naturally colored cotton, which reduces the need for chemical dyes and minimizes environmental impact. Fox emphasized the link between textiles and climate change and called for a redesign of supply chains starting with agriculture. She spoke of blending scientific knowledge with natural wisdom and collaborating with generations of farmers and artisans to balance tradition and innovation. She conveyed that 'what is good for the soil is good for our bodies,' and framed soil health as fundamental to ethical living. She also discussed the potential of 'carbon-positive' agriculture, showing that farming can be part of the solution to climate change. She concluded by stating that sustainability means listening to nature's cycles and living in harmony, expressing hope that Expo 2025 will spread this message globally.

<Speaker Summary- Arisa Kamada>
Arisa Kamada, co-founder of unisteps and fashion model, shared her insights on connecting sustainable living with social activism through personal experience. She began by pointing out that younger generations are increasingly sensitive to future uncertainties and social issues, and stated that personal questions and interests often serve as the starting point for taking action.She shared her efforts to expand empathy through clothing choices and communication. Kamada emphasized the importance of promoting a positive perception of sustainability not as sacrifice but as a discovery of creative choices. She highlighted the significance of 'relationships' in sustainability—between people, nature, and generations. She introduced initiatives to visualize social impact and local circular economy projects using regional cultural assets. Her message resonated deeply with the audience, illustrating how grassroots action can influence broader societal systems.

<Discussion Summary>
In the latter half of the session, all panelists exchanged opinions on the practice, challenges, and future of ethical living from their respective perspectives. Moderator Yoshiko Ikoma emphasized that 'awareness is the foundation of ethical living,' and raised the role of education and how media communicates information. Safia Minney responded by highlighting the need for consumer education and institutional support to promote ethical choices. Gordon Renouf reiterated the importance of transparency in influencing consumer behavior, and also discussed the ethical responsibilities of platform design and algorithms. Arisa Kamada emphasized that personal emotions and everyday sensibilities can drive social change, and shared how youth-led actions influence institutions and companies. Sally V. Fox reflected again on the philosophy of coexistence with nature and described ethics as 'starting from listening to the voice of nature.' Audience members raised concerns about the price and accessibility of ethical products. In response, panelists discussed viewing sustainability as a form of long-term cost-saving and suggested the need for community-led distribution reform. Toward the end, the discussion addressed the challenge of differing ethical definitions across cultures and religions, concluding with a shared recognition of the need to build a common ethical foundation grounded in diverse perspectives. Overall, the session reinforced the idea that ethical living is not just about doing good deeds, but a philosophical and social practice of 'how we live.' The panelists closed the session with the hope that Expo 2025 will become a starting point to pose this question to the worl