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"Shine Brighter, Talk Bigger with GEM Talks!"

Empower Your Voice. Ignite Your Future.
GEM Talks, a transformative bootcamp designed specifically for high school girls, combines intensive 2-month workshops with a competitive English presentation contest. Through this unique program, finalists develop world-class presentation skills, communication abilities, critical thinking, and a global perspective. Witness firsthand at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion how these young women transform their passions into powerful messages and take their first steps towards becoming global leaders.

Final Competition Details
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Venue: "WA" Space, Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion
Organizer: 5 Crowns Japan
Operator: GEM Talks Executive Committee
Official Website: https://gemtalks.org/

Application Period: March 1 - April 30, 2025
For more details on how to apply, please visit our official website.

【Reflection】
At this year’s GEM Talks, held at the Women’s Pavilion WA Space, participants presented on the theme “The Society I Want to Create in 2045.” Each high-school student drew on their unique background and perspective to share their dreams, aspirations, and visions for achieving them in a seven-minute presentation. Following the presentations, a Q&A session challenged participants with incisive questions from the judges, requiring on-the-spot responses. Through approximately two months of training to strengthen communication skills, the students demonstrated remarkable growth, responding confidently and earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The Grand Prize this year was awarded to Riko Fujioka, a first-year student at Mita International School of Science. Her presentation, titled “Educating Women for a Brighter Future,” compellingly articulated her vision of creating learning environments where women can thrive, contributing to increased social participation and the reduction of poverty. Her confident and powerful delivery earned high praise from the judges. In recognition of her achievement, she was awarded the MEXT Minister's Award.

Reflecting on this year’s event, participants achieved more than simply conveying information. They developed the ability to analyze their values and social issues, deepen self-understanding, and express ideas in ways that reflected their individuality. The Q&A sessions and impromptu responses significantly enhanced their critical thinking and presentation skills, while the opportunity to speak on a global stage fostered greater self-confidence. In addition, engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds encouraged the exchange of perspectives, broadening learning both within and beyond the classroom.

Overall, this year’s experience contributed directly to clarifying participants’ future visions and strengthening their capacity for social impact. It also serves as a model of learning and growth for future participants, demonstrating the value of reflection, preparation, and public engagement in developing young leaders.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Through this year’s GEM Talks, it became clear that participants not only strengthened their communication and critical thinking skills, but also deepened their awareness of social issues and their own values. To ensure that this learning translates into long-term growth and social impact, GEM Talks continues to provide opportunities beyond the event itself.

First, reflection sessions are held after the competition, where participants review their own growth and hear about one another’s future challenges and aspirations. This process helps them to objectively recognize their development and further solidify their ambitions.

In addition, GEM Talks has established an alumni network, Jewelry Box, which connects participants across different years. This community provides a platform for mutual encouragement, fosters vertical and horizontal connections, and creates opportunities to engage with seniors, mentors, and broader society.

Regular academic seminars are also organized to sustain the spirit of learning beyond the event. These seminars offer participants the chance to learn directly from global corporations and women leaders, broadening their perspectives and exposing them to real-world insights.

Moreover, past participants are invited to take part in organizing future editions of GEM Talks, supporting younger students and contributing to the improvement of the program. Through this involvement, they gain practical leadership and collaboration experience while giving back to the community.

Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate that GEM Talks is more than a one-time competition—it is a platform that nurtures continuous growth, empowers participants to clarify their future visions, and strengthens their ability to make a social impact. Looking ahead, GEM Talks will continue to expand these efforts, providing an enduring environment where young people can apply their learning in practice, support one another, and grow as the next generation of leaders.