2024/09/12
On Monday, September 2, the "Keio University SDGs Conference—2024 Keio University Student Conference Summer Camp" was held at the Hiyoshi Campus. Following last year's event, about 100 students from Keio University's elementary school to university levels gathered to consider initiatives for achieving the SDGs through discussion.
In the "Keio University Student Conference," university students selected from all faculties spend nearly a year proactively examining the SDGs, discussing visions, goals, and targets in detail, and finally presenting their compiled proposals to the President. At the Summer Camp, the participation of students from the elementary, junior high, and high affiliated schools in the discussions generates unique ideas and proposals from a wide range of perspectives, which contribute to the final proposals of the Keio University Student Conference. This year, an interim report session was held the day after the Summer Camp to strengthen continuity into the fall semester.
The day began with an encouraging message from President Kohei Ito, followed by greetings from Vice-President Akiyo Okuda and Vice-President Keita Yamauchi, and then a lecture by Professor Norichika Kanie of the Graduate School of Media and Governance, who serves as the supervisor for the Keio University Student Conference.
In the first round of discussions, under the theme "The Ideal Keio University in 2050," participants were divided into four groups—"Environment," "Society," "Economy," and "Partnership"—to exchange ideas. After lunch, a second round of discussions was held in the afternoon to consider "actions to achieve" the "ideal vision" that was identified in the morning.
While the participants were engaged in heated discussions, teachers from each of the affiliated schools also gathered in a separate classroom. Moderated by Professor Hiromitsu Kobayashi of the Faculty of Law, who serves as the head of the Keio University Student Conference project, they exchanged various opinions on SDGs initiatives and discussed future collaborations. This collaborative initiative, spanning from elementary school to university, is a pioneering example that is rare even on a global scale.
After two rounds of lively discussions, each group presented their results, proposing ideas related to reuse, self-generation of electricity, waste reduction, gender equality, and political participation. After receiving feedback from Keio University Student Conference supervisor Guest Professor (Part-time) Hiroko Kuniya and others, the event concluded with words of encouragement for future activities from Vice-President Eiji Okada.
The proposals, compiled after a full day of exchanging opinions, will be taken back to each of the affiliated schools. They will also be further considered during the Keio University Student Conference in the fall semester. The final proposals, which will outline the ideal future for Keio University, will be presented to the President in December by the university students of the Keio University Student Conference and the pupils and students of the affiliated schools.