This session will feature a panel discussion where participants will exchange opinions on the results of the "SDGs Global Human Resource Development Program that Connects Learning and Society through Environmental Issues" implemented by IGES last year. This programme was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Fund to promote the human resource development to achieve the SDGs, and the Kitakyushu Grant. Seventeen international university and graduate students who aim to become SDG leaders, visited Japan's SDGs model regions (Kamikatsu Town, Kitakyushu City and Minamata City) that have created a virtuous cycle of environment, economy and society, and listened directly to various stakeholders to consider the key to regional revitalisation. After the implementation training, they conducted report sessions at their own universities to share what they had learned, thus taking the first step towards action.

In this session, six students will be on the panel to discuss what they learned from their field training in local regions and what kind of leaders they would like to become in a sustainable society. Local stakeholders who hosted our visit will also exchange opinions about what they learned from the young people and how to develop SDG leaders in the local community. We will also welcome interactive audience participation in the discussions.