Three Days of Global Dialogue: Ritsumeikan Uji Students Debate the Future of Smart Cities and Education at JEMUN

In July 2025, 19 students from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Course at Ritsumeikan Uji Senior High School participated in the Japan English Model United Nations (JEMUN), a three-day conference held at Kinki University in Osaka. JEMUN is an academic simulation of the United Nations conducted entirely in English, where high school and university students engage in discussions on global issues. The conference aims to cultivate participants’ presentation skills, negotiation strategies, and global perspectives.

This year’s conference featured two major themes: “Smart Cities: Innovations in Urban Sustainability” and “Education 4.0: Digital Innovation in Learning.” Representing various countries, the Ritsumeikan Uji students researched their assigned nations’ policies, presented ideas in English, and engaged in intensive debate. They developed policy proposals known as position papers and collaborated with peers from across Japan. Each student enthusiastically took part in the discussions and built new friendships throughout the program.

Ritsumeikan Uji’s IB Course has participated in JEMUN for several years and once again achieved remarkable results this year. 2nd-year student Rin Yamaguchi received the prestigious Best Diplomat Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions in the diplomatic category. In addition, the entire Ritsumeikan Uji delegation was honored with the Positive Impact School Award for their collaborative and constructive presence throughout the conference.

JEMUN offers more than just opportunities to improve English skills—it provides a valuable platform for students to broaden their international outlook, think critically from multiple perspectives, and work together to find solutions to real-world challenges. At Ritsumeikan Uji, the IB Course will continue to promote experiential global education and support every student’s growth and potential on the world stage.