[World Expo Osaka, Kansai] Dialogue on peace and equality between the President of Iceland and a Ritsumeikan student: Talk session held at the UN Pavilion as part of Iceland National Day
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Miina Kawase, a third-year student in the College of Social Sciences at Ritsumeikan University, participated as a panelist in the Iceland National Day event held in the UN Pavilion at World Expo Osaka, Kansai, where she engaged in a dialogue with Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir about the future, peace, and the SDGs.
The aim of the event was to consider peace and gender equality from multiple angles, while showcasing Icelandic culture and values. As the only university student on the panel, Kawase actively shared her views from a young person's perspective.
Kawase has been involved in peace education for several years, having developed the Child Soldier Board Game, an original teaching material for junior high school students, and holding classes the topic of peace. After this, she traveled to Africa and engaged in practice on the frontlines of international issues, covering the social reintegration assistance efforts for former child soldiers in Uganda and participating in an employment support internship in Rwanda. Currently, she works as a student staff member at the Kyoto Museum for World Peace at Ritsumeikan University, where she engages visitors in dialogue. In recognition of these day-to-day efforts, she was chosen to appear as a panelist at this event.
During the session, President Tómasdóttir spoke about gender equality initiatives in Iceland and the role of youth in achieving a sustainable society, saying, "The choices that each of us make today will shape the future. Listening to and working with the younger generation is the first step toward a peaceful and sustainable society.”
Kawase’s views appeared to resonate with the participants when she said, "Today, I am reminded once again that peace is not something that is far removed from our world, but rather, it starts with the actions that each and every one of us take. Thanks to this session, I have come to realize the importance of people working together to create the future while respecting each other’s different cultures and values.”
The event attracted many visitors, who listened attentively to the young people engaging a world leader in a dialogue on the future, and after the talk session, they engaged each other in a lively discussion, suggesting a high level of interest in peace and equality.
Going forward, Ritsumeikan will continue to actively provide opportunities for its students to deepen their studies and contribute to society on the international stage.
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