SSEAYP Youth Conference 2021

The Cabinet Office, government of Japan, has implemented International Youth Exchange Programmes, which aim to foster healthy growth of youths who will be the core force of the next generation, by promoting friendship and mutual understanding among youths, while broadening their international view, as well as nurturing the spirit of international cooperation.

The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) was launched in 1974 as a joint programme between Japan and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries. However, the global COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted any exchange program beyond borders and made it difficult to conduct the ship programme this year as initially scheduled. As a result, a "SSEAYP Youth Conference 2021" was held through online means this year.

The conference was held over five days in which a guest speaker(s) would be requested to give an opening lecture followed by peer learning sessions and group discussions each day. Isamu Sugeno, Director of Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Asia Pte. Ltd, who then invited Yuko Koibuchi, General Manager of Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd, was invited to jointly be the guest speakers on Day 2 of the conference on the 5^th of December 2021 to address and facilitate the discussion for the following questions:

How can youth build sustainable, resilient, and environment-friendly cities that will bring a better future for themselves and others in their countries by understanding the current global situations, environmental challenges, and natural disasters in ASEAN member countries and Japan, especially post COVID-19?

The lecture explained the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how Marunouchi district has been developed in the direction of sustainability and resilience the past 130 years. Moving forward, the organisation aims to develop the industry at the forefront of these principles.

The lecture was titled "Resilient and Sustainable Cities: Marunouchi, Tokyo" presented by Isamu Sugeno (Director of Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Asia Pte. Ltd) and Yuko Koibuchi (General Manager of Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd).