#Japan #South Korea #Tokyo #Youth Empowerment #YOUNAN Movement

Empowering Youth Engagement: Lessons from Korea

On January 31, 2026, the forum entitled “Youth Engagement and Empowerment: Lessons from Korea” will take place as part of the Japan-South Korea Future Youth Support Project. The event seeks to reflect on the activities conducted over the fiscal year and share insights gained from these experiences, particularly focusing on how to encourage youth engagement and empowerment through advanced examples from South Korea.

Overview of the Forum

This forum is divided into two sections.

Part 1: Keynote Speeches

In the first part, two prominent activists from Korea will be invited to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing youth civic awareness and promoting their social participation. The speakers include the founder of the “YOUNAN MOVEMENT” and the director of the Gongju City Youth Center. Their experiences and approaches in driving social participation among the youth will serve as enlightening examples for attendees.

Part 2: Reviewing Activities and Overcoming Challenges

The second part will provide an opportunity to look back at the activities undertaken during the fiscal year. Participants will engage in discussions regarding the challenges to further enhance youth participation, collaborating with organizers, participants, and stakeholders from various Japan-Korea relationship organizations.

This forum serves not only to summarize the progress of learning sessions and dialogue activities but also aims to foster peer interaction amongst participants. It includes presentations by representatives from dialogue groups alongside a comprehensive discussion covering themes across the entire event, thereby creating action proposals for the future.

Event Details

Date and Time

• - Date: January 31, 2026
• - Time: 13:30 to 16:30 (JST)

Format

• - In-Person Location: National Olympic Memorial Youth Center Meeting Room, Tokyo
• - Online Participation: Via Zoom

Speakers

• - Yang Sohee (Founder of YOUNAN Movement, Political Activist, Social Entrepreneur)
• - Lee Dahyun (Director, Gongju City Youth Center)
• - Other participants from learning sessions and dialogue activities

Language Support

The event will be conducted in both Japanese and Korean, with translation services available.

Target Audience

This forum is aimed at individuals interested in the Japan-Korea relationship, the promotion of social participation among youth, as well as ordinary citizens, including middle/high school students, university students, and young professionals in their 20s and 30s.

Participation Details

• - Admission Fee: Free of charge
• - Capacity: 65 participants in-person, no limit for online participants

Registration

Participants can register for the event via Peatix until 17:00 on January 30, 2026. Those attending in person are encouraged to arrive at the venue directly. Online participants will receive a Zoom link after registration.

Conclusion

Through the Japan-South Korea Future Youth Support Project, this forum aims to create a foundation for young individuals to understand and engage in discussions about past histories and contemporary issues faced by their countries. By sharing knowledge and perspectives, this initiative hopes to foster a new generation of leaders equipped with the understanding and empathy required to build constructive relationships between Japan and South Korea.