#Japan #Tokyo #Sophia University #TICAD9 #Africa Heritage

Sophia University's Africa Weeks 2025

Sophia University is excited to announce the upcoming Africa Weeks 2025, scheduled from May 10 to May 25. This initiative, now in its ninth year, aims to promote a broader understanding of Africa among high school students and the general public, providing an opportunity to engage with the continent's diverse cultures and current issues.

The 2025 Africa Weeks event is recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a partner initiative for the 9th African Development Conference (TICAD9), which will take place this August in Yokohama. This year's program will feature eight dynamic events designed to showcase Africa's allure through various lenses, including its heritage sites and economic development. Participants can look forward to a symposium focused on the critical challenges facing UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Africa, discussions about the interplay between development economics and business on the continent, and engaging dialogues between Japanese and African youths on their visions for the future.

Key Events During Africa Weeks

Symposium: Climate Change and Africa's Heritage

Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
This symposium addresses the urgent threats posed by climate change to Africa's world heritage sites, including global warming and rising sea levels that endanger these cultural treasures. Leading experts like George Abungu, Honorary Director of the National Museums of Kenya, and Nao Hayashi, a specialist in the World Heritage Convention, will explore the current situation and discuss cross-border actions necessary for preservation.

Event Format

The symposium will adopt a hybrid format, offering both in-person participation at Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus and online attendance. Simultaneous translation will be provided in English and Japanese.

Additional Programs

• - May 10: Talk Session