On November 9, Okayama University held a symposium to commemorate the
tenth anniversary of the Academic and General Okayama University
Regional Research Association (AGORA). Approximately one hundred
peopleーincluding members of the general public, people involved in
community development, university students, and university personnel
from Okayama University and other universitiesーjoined the event, which
was held on-site and online in hybrid format.
President MAKINO Hirofumi gave the keynote address on Okayama
University’s community-oriented SDGs management, explaining how the
university intends to achieve the SDGs through cooperation with the
local community, followed by a report on AGORA’s activities by Director
MIMURA Satoshi and then a lively panel discussion.
During the panel discussion, Kurashiki City Mayor ITO Kaori spoke about
the need for university cooperation as well as regional revitalization
and development initiatives that comply with the SDGs, highlighting
collaboration opportunities within the Takahashi River basin area.
Secretary KAJITANI Shunsuke, representing the Okayama Association of
Corporate Executives, commented on the need for
industry-government-academia-private sector collaboration to further
promote social cooperation; while Director TOKUDA Kyoko, representing
UBUSUNA Okayama (a registered nonprofit organization that promotes
community development in Okayama) emphasized that both students and
local communities have a lot to learn when it comes to educating
students in social cooperation. Director Mimura responded to each guest
speaker’s opinion and restated AGORA’s intentions for positive progress
with its upcoming initiatives. In closing, Okayama University Senior
Vice President KAGA Masaru, who served as panel moderator, summarized
the discussion and thanked all the participants for their input.
After a short break, participants had the opportunity to report on
various “glocalization” activities. Fulbright Graduate Research
Fellowship Alumni and Portland resident Saumya Kini introduced the
impact of green urban spaces on civic activities, using the Nishigawa
Canal Park in Okayama as an example of how important it is to analyze
resident activity when creating accessible spaces in city centers. Then,
2021 Fulbright Graduate Research Fellowship winner David Anderson
introduced his analysis of the relationship between local politics and
Japanese community development, explaining that Okayama’s practical
community development activities could become a valuable field of study
for young people.
Afterwards, AGORA Deputy Director IWABUCHI Yasushi introduced Park(ing)
day as part of the civic activities undertaken in Mizushima, Kurashiki
City.
Finally, Executive Director for Planning and General Affairs TAKAHASHI Kayo closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their contributions and outlining the challenges that AGORA faces as it celebrates its tenth year.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/news/index_id10696.html
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