#Japan #SDGs #Okayama #Okayama University #RIDC

Overview of the Event

The Okayama University Institute for Civilization Dynamics, which opened in 2021 as part of the Graduate School of Advanced Research, will host the 51st RIDC Monthly Research Seminar. This institution is the first of its kind in the humanities and social sciences at Okayama University, actively promoting collaborative educational activities in line with its vision of becoming a unique research university contributing to regional development. The RIDC Monthly Research Seminar aims to provide a platform for faculty to share their research findings and current projects with an open audience. The event is designed for anyone interested in the topics presented, and we warmly welcome all to join us for this online seminar.

• ---

Event Details

• - Date and Time: December 10, 2025 (Wednesday) from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (JST)
• - Format: Online (Zoom required for participation)

• ---

Seminar Title

Revisiting Sustainable Development: Towards the Future of Hope

• ---

Speaker

• - Hiroko Shibakawa, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education, Okayama University

• ---

Seminar Overview

In the contemporary discourse surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is crucial to reassess what sustainable development truly means. This concept, originating from the Brundtland Report in 1987, was supposed to promote a harmonious balance among environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, there’s a concern that many initiatives fall prey to optimism and narratives of development while often being constructed from a singular perspective of the future. Metrics like "development" and "growth" can inadvertently create new imbalances in areas such as gender, disabilities, and welfare.

This seminar will delve into practical case studies from Okayama City, tracing the origins of sustainability and examining how education can reconstruct values and potentials. Participants will have a unique opportunity to engage with pressing questions regarding sustainable development and contribute to an evolving conversation on hope in this field.

• ---

Who Should Attend?

The seminar welcomes anyone who wishes to partake in this engaging discussion, irrespective of their academic or professional background.

• ---

Registration and Participation

There is no participation fee. We kindly ask interested individuals to register through the provided form, after which a participation link will be sent via email.
Register Here

• ---

Further Information

For more insights into the RIDC Monthly Research Seminar series, including past events, please visit our website: RIDC Okayama University.

• ---

Additional Notes

This event underscores Okayama University's commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the progress made in educational innovation and regional collaboration. We hope to foster meaningful discussions that resonate on both local and global levels.

Do not miss this opportunity to explore the intersections of education, sustainability, and hope in our evolving society. Your voice matters in the pursuit of a sustainable future!

For inquiries, please contact:

• - Institute for Civilization Dynamics, Okayama University

Email: ridc◎okayama-u.ac.jp (replace ◎ with @)
Phone: 086-251-7442

• ---