Science Agora Open Forum on “Life” and “Water” held

The Kaitokudo for the 21st Century of Osaka University holds the open forum “Science Agora in Osaka” every year. This year, in cooperation with the Japan and Science and Technology Agency (JST), it was held at Saji Keizo Memorial Hall in the Nakanoshima Center on Friday, March 15. Some 80 individuals participated the forum and it was also streamed online.

This forum was held under the theme of “The Butterfly Effect in the Aqua Metropolis, Osaka – Conscious Efforts by People, Towns, and the World Can Affect All Life.”

Professor DOME Takuo (Director, Social Solution Initiative, Osaka University) gave a keynote speech "Behave with Consideration for All Life," speaking of creating a mutual assistance society for both people in need and people who help them.

Together with the three economic organizations in the Kansai region, he also explained about the Inochi [Life] Declaration to be announced at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and activities under the Inochi Forum Project.

In the following panel discussion, Professor OKI Taikan of The University of Tokyo, a water resources expert, called for the conservation of water resources, our most precious resource.

Next, Ms. NAGAYAMA Yuko, an architect who designs pavilions at the EXPO, spoke that we would need to consider disasters when thinking about the future and the EXPO would be a place for discussion about them. Ms. UGIMOTO Yoko, a water landscape designer, said that despite being a big city, Osaka had a sense of community.

Mr. TADA Hiroaki, Ms. FURUICHI Yui, and Mr. MATSUURA Shotaro from BOSAI FASHION LABO introduced their activity in Osaka Prefecture to improve residents' awareness and willingness to prepare for disasters.

The YouTube archive for this event can be viewed on the special site for Science Agora in Osaka on the website for Kaitokudo for the 21st Century.

Details of this event can be found here.

Professor Dome delivers his keynote lecture

Panel Discussion

Audience in the forum