|| Knowledge and Skills Sharing Through the Lenses of Digital Advocacy ||
|| Click on the 'Registration' button below to register for this workshop ||
This is a free hybrid 'digital leadership and communication' workshop for the public. Registration is open to those planning to attend this workshop in person. This workshop will be streamed live in this link (registration required).
Only the first 105 online registrations will be accepted. Registration will be closed once this number has been reached.
When: Monday, November 20th, 2023, 17:00 to 20:00 (JST)
Where: 1 Chome-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0004 (Temple University Japan -- TUJ Parliament)
Cost: free
For more information or questions, contact Dr. Marvin Starominski-Uehara (muehara@temple.edu)
|| Summary ||
In an ageing society, the GEN Z in Japan lacks the political leverage of its previous generations. However, they have already drawn the attention of current decision makers due to their unique ability to i) harness the power of digital communication, ii) connect with global networks, and iii) foster behavior change in their peers. In this workshop, we will bring together some of these inspiring 'tracers' -- inspiring online communicators and positive changemakers -- born between 1997 and 2012 (or professionals and activists popular among the GEN Z in Japan) to share with the public how their practical knowledge and skillsets are leading to ‘transformational changes’ across the country in areas such as social inequality, sustainability, and working culture.
|| Mission ||
Gather distinctive 'tracers' in Japan to share knowledge and skills on digital advocacy.
|| Themes ||
i) How is Japan’s GEN Z addressing inequality – and inequity – in their communities?
Japan faces significant social issues stemming from inequality -- and inequity -- in different areas of its society. Some of these areas are gender inequality, income inequality, education disparities, working conditions, ageing population, access to housing, discrimination against minorities, accessibility for people with disabilities, regional disparities, and immigration policies. Japan’s GEN Z has been individually and collectively addressing some of these issues. In this section, you will meet and engage with the ideas and actions of some of these emerging -- and inspiring -- positive changemakers.
ii) How is Japan’s GEN Z addressing sustainability issues in their communities?
The Japanese are presented with many sustainability challenges. Some of these challenges are in the fields of renewable energy, climate change, waste management, transportation, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, fishery, built environment, circular economy, and nuclear energy. Some young individuals and groups in Japan have taken on these challenges. In this section, you will have the opportunity to listen to and learn from their action plans and the roadblocks they have faced to reverse the trend of environmental degradation and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
iii) How is Japan’s GEN Z changing the working culture in the country?
The work culture in Japan is known as exhausting and unhealthy. This culture manifests itself through long working hours, unpaid overtime, work commitment at the expense of personal and family life, traditional structures hindering open communication and exchange of ideas, male-dominated, not always welcoming and accommodating different cultural backgrounds, mental health stigma, fear of career disruption, and shrinking workforce due to low birth rates. In this section, you will learn how members of the GEN Z in Japan have been advocating gradual changes to this traditional working environment.
|| Schedule ||
16:30 -- 17:00 (welcoming: light refreshments)
17:00 -- 17:10 (opening)
17:10 -- 18:00 (social inequality)
18:00 -- 18:50 (sustainability)
18:50 -- 19:00 (break)
19:00 -- 19:50 (working culture)
19:50 -- 20:00 (closing remarks and announcements)
|| Theoretical Framework ||
The themes of this workshop are informed by the ‘Stigmergy Network Theory’ (see image below and project preprint here). Selected 'tracers' will be sharing their perspectives and insights on the following theory-related questions:
|| Theory-Related Questions ||
i) Autonomous Acts:
How does Japan’s GEN Z use digital information to enact changes in their communities?
ii) Reproducible Domains:
How does Japan’s GEN Z attach meaning to novel information shared online?
iii) Scalable Platforms:
How does Japan’s GEN Z tap into digital platforms to advocate societal changes?
|| Sponsors ||