Dunya Chen: Why Do We Communicate?

2023/03/27

With changes in our environment, such as the evolution of technology, the media available for communication has increased dramatically, and options have become abundant. Now that user-generated content is widespread, we need to consider what that communication is for.

Communication serves as a foundation for people to express and exchange information, experiences, thoughts, and needs. It also contributes to enhancing people's creative drive and broadening their perspectives. At the Keio University Graduate School of Media Design (KMD), students conduct various social implementation projects where communication functions as a platform for diverse actors to exchange opinions. For example, there are projects such as the "Cycle project," which connects small and medium-sized enterprises with students through upcycling activities; the "Inclusive employment projects," which discuss corporate inclusive agents to create new social value; and the "Global workshop," which aims for Japanese high school students to acquire global competence. In each project, new interactions are born through the act of communication, allowing participants to inspire each other, understand one another, and move in a better direction.

As human beings, we communicate to connect with one another. These connections build relationships, form communities, enable cross-disciplinary collaboration, and expand the possibilities for innovation. I believe this trend is particularly evident in global issues such as environmental impact, the concept of social inclusion, and the importance of young people with international competencies. When like-minded people connect through communication, communities are formed to explore and solve these challenges.

While the word "communication" may seem like an abstract concept, it is an ability that everyone is born with. From a baby's cry to large-scale campaigns for social awareness, communication is always around us. In today's complex media landscape, it is a field that requires careful consideration and has become indispensable in all industries.