At this event, we will welcome young staff members working at the United Nations, WHO, and other organizations, who will report on the current situation in conflict zones around the world and their activities on the ground.

This event is open to the public and provides an opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of global issues and consider how they can contribute.

Furthermore, as a pre-event for the Osaka, Kansai Expo, we aim to inspire action among the next generation, providing a space for participants to come into contact with solutions for a sustainable future through the Expo and broaden their global perspective.

【Reflection】
This event provided a valuable opportunity to welcome young professionals from United Nations agencies and organizations such as UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), who are active around the world, to speak about the current situation in conflict zones and their on-the-ground activities. On the day of the event, participants from a wide range of age groups attended in person or joined online. They listened attentively to the speakers' firsthand accounts, gaining a deeper understanding of the global challenges we face—such as refugee issues and human rights violations.

Furthermore, the event also served as a pre-event for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, creating a platform to explore the first steps toward a sustainable future under the Expo's theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

The Rotaract Club is a service organization composed of young adults aged 18 to 30 who gather to cultivate leadership skills and contribute to their communities. Approximately 800 Rotaractors from across Japan participated in the event, along with guests from overseas, including Korea and Taiwan. This allowed for international exchanges of ideas and information, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds.

Through its collaboration with the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the event provided an opportunity for participants to connect with the Expo's vision and explore solutions for building a sustainable future, encouraging them to approach global issues from a broader perspective.

Expected outcomes include raising awareness and promoting action among youth, fostering the development of future leaders, and increasing interest and attendance for the Expo. It is hoped that participants will reflect on their own potential contributions and enhance their motivation to engage with global social issues.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
To further build upon the learning and dialogue gained from this pre-event, we will host a comprehensive program on August 1, 2025, during the "Peace and Human Rights Week" of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The theme of the program is "Peacebuilding and the Protection of Human Rights," aiming to provide a platform for deeper discussions and concrete proposals. This program goes beyond simple knowledge sharing—it seeks to empower younger generations to proactively engage with social issues and take the first step toward building a sustainable society.

In the first session, we plan to hold a keynote lecture by a renowned Japanese legal scholar, former member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, and current president of Konan University. Drawing on his expertise in international human rights policy, he will offer insights into the challenges facing today’s society and the perspectives needed to address them. Additionally, former recipients of the Rotary International scholarship, who now serve as young professionals at organizations such as the United Nations, ILO, UNRWA, and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will share their on-the-ground experiences and the challenges and possibilities they have encountered in their work.

In the second session, high school students will present the results of their six-month-long research projects. These students have been exploring the impacts of conflict and war, the current threats to human rights, and the roles they can personally play in creating a more peaceful world. On the day of the event, they will present their proposals on peacebuilding and human rights protection, sharing their visions and actions for the future.

We will continue to promote dialogue and collaboration, and remain committed to contributing to the creation of a society based on peace and human rights.