On September 18, the UOsaka Center for Diversity & Inclusion, in collaboration with the certified NPO Nijiiro (Rainbow) Diversity, held the event titled “What would a future society be like where everyone, including LGBTQ individuals, can live comfortably?” at the “WA” Space in the Women’s Pavilion on the Expo site.
Approximately 70 participants of the public attended the event and engaged in discussions with three speakers on the theme “What would a Future Society be like where everyone, including LGBTQ individuals, can live comfortably?”
Three speakers speaking
In the opening video message from President Atsushi Kumanogoh, he stressed the following points:
・The university’s commitment to realizing an inclusive environment
・Respecting diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) is key to building a thriving and happy future society.
・The fact that the difficulties faced by individuals due to misunderstanding and prejudice limit personal potential and represent a significant loss for society as a whole.
He then shared his expectations for this talk session, taking into consideration the important role our university plays in society as an educational and research institution.
Read the full message here .
Video message from President Atsushi Kumanogoh
Next, each speaker gave a speech.
Ms. Maki Muraki, Chairperson of the Certified NPO Nijiiro Diversity, spoke about the latest trends regarding LGBTQ issues. Ms. Makiko Terahara, Representative Director of the Public Interest Incorporated Association “Marriage For All Japan,” spoke about the latest developments in the “Freedom of Marriage for All” lawsuit. Professor Sayako Kanamori from the Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences spoke on the theme, “A Future Society Where Everyone Can Live Comfortably.” Her presentation drew on the outcomes and experiences of a special workshop held under the OU-SDGs Program, in which 13 UOsaka students participated.
Following this, a talk session moderated by Ms. Muraki featured the three speakers, concluding with a Q&A session with the participants.
Amid growing understanding of LGBTQ and other sexual minorities in Japan, this event provided a valuable opportunity to explore with participants how to put the Osaka Expo theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” into practice in the actual world and how to create a future society where everyone, including LGBTQ individuals, can live comfortably.
Ms. Maki Muraki
Ms. Makiko Terahara
Professor Sayako Kanamori
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AloJapan.com