The UK-Japan Student Conference is an opportunity for highly motivated university students across the UK and Japan to come together and create a shared vision towards a sustainable future. We create a space for cross-cultural pollination and a forum for discussion on crucial socio-political issues. Our ambition is to support students by establishing a thriving network across borders. We value the idea expressed in an old Japanese proverb: ‘Ichigo Ichie’ (一期一会), which speaks to the idea that we should treasure every meeting, for it will never recur. We never know where we might encounter someone who will influence our lives and values — the friendships established through this particular meeting could be such a turning point. We hope to foster long-lasting friendships amongst participants.

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We emphasise experiences that challenge our collective biases and preconceptions, and reveal alternative approaches towards the conference theme. Having nurtured discussions in an international context, we hope participants will bring fresh perspectives back to their own communities. We strive to incorporate a process of discussion, realisation and action into our design of UK-JP. Student-led debate is invaluable in proposing solutions to the most pressing contemporary issues.

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The UK-Japan Student Conference is an opportunity to apply the knowledge attendees have gained during their academic careers. We provide a programme that acknowledges and celebrates a diversity of values through interactions with participants from different backgrounds. We hope the week they spend with us is a fruitful and memorable one with many discoveries.