On Tuesday, October 25, the Hyogo Prefectural Chapter of the United Nations Association of Japan seminar “SDGs and International Exchange” was hosted at the Himeji School of Human Science and Environment Campus. The first section was a lecture about “SDGs and International Exchange” by Professor Ayako Takahashi of the School of Human Science and Environment. In the second part, Yuna Kishida of the School of Human Science and Environment presented examples of initiatives for international cooperation.

This event was hosted by the Hyogo Prefectural Chapter of the United Nations Association of Japan, Hyogo International Association, and University of Hyogo as a related event of Hyogo Prefecture SDGs WEEK, which had started on the previous day, October 24. The event is for gaining an overall picture of SDGs, which are currently the subject of increased anticipation and interest, and to communicate how the utilization of the teachings of SDGs in international exchange contribute to the development of local areas.

Approximately 150 participants, including both students of the University of Hyogo and local residents interested in international exchange, came to the event, and, with a packed venue, we could sense the degree of interest in the topic.

In the lecture “SDGs and International Exchange” in part one, Professor Takahashi began by taking about the questions concerning SDGs, and their background, history, and overall picture, and gave an easy-to-understand explanation of SDGs. The professor then explained the SDGs initiatives of the Japanese government and local regions, and explained the state of global initiatives from the perspectives of international cooperation, international development, and corporate initiatives, and then finished by talking about multi-culturalism in Hyogo Prefecture and about SDGs.

In part two, in the presentation of example initiatives, Kishida explained, as initiatives for international cooperation, the details of the activities by affiliate International Student Cooperation Organization CHISE.

CHISE conducts activities with the goal of improving the learning environment of children living in a mountain range in Laos.

The organization is currently engaging in study tours that can be taken online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other activities that can be performed in Japan. The organization is also contributing to the fermentation of inclusive thinking by providing support to Laotian children through various activities with children in Hyogo Prefecture who experience certain disabilities as well as with children belonging to minority populations, such as foreign nationals.

Following the presentation by Kishida, Shimada, Secretary of the hosting organization, Hyogo International Association, gave an explanation about the support being provided to Ukrainian refugees in Hyogo Prefecture.

Shimada shared an interim report on the Hyogo Ukraine Support Project – Hyogo Is with Ukraine -, and its support for 44 groups (92 people) of Ukrainian refugees in Hyogo Prefecture.

Thereafter, Professor Takahashi and Kishida participated in a Q&A session with participants.

This event was a significant opportunity for sharing what we learn about SDGs from the perspective of international exchange and how it contributes to the development of local areas in Hyogo Prefecture.