On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the third guest speaker session of the “IM Sogo” class was held for second-year students in the IM Course at Ritsumeikan Uji Senior High School. The guest speaker was Mr. Ryo Sugitani, Vice Director of the NPO Stand with Syria Japan and General Manager of the certified NPO very50.

Mr. Sugitani continues his work through the NPO Stand with Syria Japan to support people suffering from conflict in Syria and raise awareness in the international community. He is also dedicated to youth development and operates educational programs at very50 to nurture "independent and compassionate challengers."

In the lecture, based on his own experiences, he addressed the theme: “What is true kindness?” After studying abroad in Canada, the students had broadened their perspectives and were deeply impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, realizing that many issues still remain in the world.

Mr. Sugitani shared, “Rather than titles or career history, it’s more important to keep asking yourself what you want to do now,” emphasizing the significance of maintaining curiosity and taking action in any circumstance. His sincere lifestyle left a strong impression on the students.

Students who attended the lecture shared the following comments:

After the lecture, many students crowded around Mr. Sugitani, eagerly asking questions. Their keen interest in his fieldwork in Syria and careers in international cooperation filled the room with enthusiasm and deepened their learning experience.

For the students, it was a valuable opportunity to reframe global issues as personal matters and reflect on their own lives.

All students in the IM Course spend a year studying abroad between their first and second years. Upon returning, the “IM Sogo” class offers time to reflect on those experiences and reassess personal values and future paths.

This semester's theme is “Expand Your Horizons.” Through interactions with guests active in diverse fields, students gain new perspectives and inspiration as they begin to shape their personal missions. The IM Course aims not only to enhance language skills, but also to develop the ability to design one's own life while engaging with the world.