DAY-1 Arrival & Orientation
Participants from ASEAN countries including the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos safely arrived in Japan. They were welcomed by Japanese participants at their first destination, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. From the observation deck on the 45th floor of the building, they enjoyed an aerial view of the entire Tokyo, a major cosmopolitan city where both traditional Japanese culture and contemporary life co-exist. Then the participants traveled by bus to the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center (NYC), the main venue for the program. TYCA Vol. 8 officially kicked off with a warm welcome from the organizers and all staff at the opening ceremony, followed by an ice breaker, which gave all participants a chance to get to know each other’s names through games. On Day-1, the participants seemed a bit nervous at first, but they soon seemed to enjoy meeting new people. TYCA programs would start in full swing on Day-2.
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DAY-2 GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER & DIVERSITY OF ASIA
Every day before activities start, the participants take part in Morning Check-in. In addition to sharing the day’s schedule and checking their physical conditions, the participants also had a refreshing time and got closer to each other by playing fun games.
The first program on Day-2 was the “Introducing Japan – The Past, Present, and the Future” by Mr. Keisuke Omori (TIFO). Using photographs and videos, he introduced various aspects of Japan, including its culture, economic growth, and the social issues behind it. The lecture prompted the participants to think about what kind of future they aimed to create.
At the General Session, facilitated by Mr. Omori and a navigator, Mr. Tyler Harth, each participant had the opportunity to talk about themselves, and to share their aspirations for TYCA programs and their areas of interest in the SDGs. At the end of the morning session, the groupings for subsequent activities were announced. The participants were divided into Groups T, Y, C, and A and they enjoyed lunch together by groups.
In the afternoon, Ms. Hideko Hadzialic, Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)’s Representative Office in Japan, gave a lecture on “UNDP and Sustainable Development,” providing comprehensive insights into the evolution of global development goals, UNDP’s pivotal role, and the power of youth-led social innovation. The lecture was followed by team discussions. Each team discussed “how can we overcome polarization?”and “how can we make sustainable development possible?”. Through interactive exercises, participants explored practical approaches to achieving sustainability.
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DAY-3 LEARNING BASIC TOOLS
On Day-3, the participants took a bus in the morning to Musashino University in Ariake, Tokyo, where they spent all day for lectures and workshops.
First, Dr. Naoki Ishibashi, a professor of Musashino University, gave a keynote lecture on “Question Formulation Technique (QFT) – An innovative method to enhance your power of critical thinking”. The main focus of his remarks was redesigning society through science, mainly using Data Science, and it emphasized on implementing ideas to change society. This was followed by a workshop where the participants practiced QFT. Through the workshop, they learned how to formulate questions and that all ideas start with a question, skills that will be useful in preparing their presentations later in the program.
After lunch, the participants played the “Logy & Nomy” game, a board game which explores the interplay between ecology (environment) and economy. The session was facilitated by Ms. Misato Kishi and supported by students from Keio Shonan Fujisawa Senior High School. They engaged in the game, prompting them to think critically about environmental conservation and sustainable development, and also learned how they could create an ideal society.
After a full day of learning, the students enjoyed eating at the Ariake Garden food court, from where they could choose restaurants from among ramen, tonkatsu (pork cutlets), udon, and soba.
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DAY-4 SDGs CASE STUDIES/ POWER OF TECHNOLOGIES
Day-4 opened with a lecture “SDGs case studies Workshop on Water” by Dr. Oki Taikan, a professor of University of Tokyo, who was recently awarded the 2024 Stockholm Water Prize. He presented the concept of “virtual water” and its significance of considering the issue of water resources from the holistic viewpoint, including how water is used in global production system of food. During group discussions, each team deliberated on potential SDG additions, contemplating an 18th goal not covered by the existing targets, fostering group engagement and critical thinking on water and sustainability issues. In the subsequent session, Professor Oki also addressed the climate change and its key challenges, and stressed not only scientists but also citizens, businesses, and governments must work closely together to effectively tackle the climate action and its impacts.
After that, the participants took a bus to the Wakuwaku Aqua Water Treatment Center run by Kawasaki City, near Tokyo, to learn how the city is recycling water using the leading-edge technologies in water treatment. They then arrived at their next destination, the Toshiba Science Museum. There, they learned how technologies developed in the past were passed on to the present and how society has been innovated with technologies. They not only learned about cutting-edge technologies, but also appreciated how technological advances can be used to solve social problems associated with SDGs.
After the tour, they enjoyed Okonomiyaki, a Japanese pan-fried pancake at a nearby restaurant, and returned to NYC by bus, and made group-by-group reflections of what they learned during the day.
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DAY-5 DEVELOP FUTURE ACTION PLAN
On Day-5, as the program entered its second half, participants began preparing their presentations, drawing on what they had learned so far in the program. In the Morning Check-in, they took part in an icebreaking activity, “Snake Junken”. The game, a variation of the traditional “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, encouraged interaction and fun, serving as a light-hearted start to the intensive day of preparation and collaboration ahead.
During the morning session, Mr. Omori (TIFO) provided a detailed timeline of the preparation process leading up to each team’s Final Presentation, as well as tips and basic structure for putting together an effective presentation.
Then the participants went to walk and visit the Meiji Shrine, surrounded by the huge man-made forest with a century of history, gaining insights into the Japanese spirit, their appreciation of the nature, and coexistence of the urban life and the nature.
After freshening up outside and lunch break in NYC, each team was engaged in active discussion and drew up outlines for Final Presentation on the theme “Draw vision of Asia toward 2030 and beyond”.
Each team received advice from Mr. Omori (TIFO) and Professor Ishibashi (Musashino University) as they proceeded. In addition, one of the unique features of TYCA is the presence of advisers who spent eight days with the participants. The advisers also joined each team and give them useful advice, and worked together with the team toward the goal.
After dinner, organized by ASJA International, graduate students from ASEAN countries who were currently studying in Japan came over and talked about their lives in this country. The participants had a memorable time talking with and asking questions to the students from their respective countries.
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DAY-6 MAKING TEAM PRESENTATIONS
On Day-6, the Morning Check-in started with an ice breaker called “Dumpling Junken”, another variation of the traditional “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, which helped foster a relaxed and interactive atmosphere among the participants.
Then each team returned to preparing Final Presentation, concentrating on enriching their project ideas and creating presentation slides. Mr. Omori (TIFO) and Dr. Ishibashi (Musashino University) also helped brush up their presentations.
After dinner, a rehearsal was held in a hall where the actual presentation would also take place, making the participants feel a little nervous. Each group worked on the preparation for their presentations until late at night.
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DAY-7 FINAL PRESENTATION
On Day-7, Final Presentation took place to showcase what the participants had learned at TYCA. Guests from various entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and ASEAN countries’ embassies in Tokyo, as well as representatives of Toshiba International Foundation and ASJA International attended. The students were dressed in traditional costumes and formal wear from their countries and schools. Each of the group T, Y, C, and A delivered presentations on “Draw vision of Asia toward 2030 and beyond” and ideas for achieving it. Each presentation contained well thought-out ideas with background information and concrete action plans were also presented. Following the presentation, all students were given certificates, and the program came to an end.
Relieved from the pressure of Final Presentation, the participants spent the afternoon touring the streets of Harajuku. After enjoying the unique culture of Harajuku, they returned to the NYC and attended Farewell Party. At the party, the participants from Oki-Dozen High School delivered a presentation on the traditional dance of their region, Kinnya-monya dance. Other participants also experienced the dance, holding shamoji, rice spatulas. They also enjoyed gift exchange from each country and spending the remaining precious time together.
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DAY-8 Departure
Very early in the morning, the participants from ASEAN countries headed home, seen off by Japanese participants and staff.
The eight days sounds long, but in fact they passed by in a moment. We hope the participants, who spent these memorable days together, will continue to harness their friendship and get reunited someday.
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