The Global Student Forum proudly participated in the landmark 6th Asia–Europe Foundation (ASEF) Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS6), which took place in Osaka, Japan, from September 29 to October 5, 2025. Representing GSF were Manan Soam, Asia-Pacific Representative from India, and Tamara Ciobanu from Romania, a Steering Committee member of the European Students’ Union and GSF Board Member. The summit gathered 89 exceptional young leaders from 59 countries, each selected from a competitive pool of over 10,000 applicants, under the auspices of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MEXT, and Kansai University. The theme “Leadership in Society 5.0” united this diverse cohort in envisioning a future that is human-centered, technologically empowered, and globally sustainable.
Unpacking Society 5.0: A Human-Centered Paradigm Shift
Society 5.0 is Japan’s visionary blueprint for a “super-smart society” that harmonizes economic growth with the resolution of social challenges. This concept envisions an integrated cyber-physical world where advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data serve as catalysts to enhance human well-being, reduce inequality, and promote sustainability. Society 5.0 emphasizes empathy, inclusivity, and responsibility as core values. These principles strongly align with GSF’s mission to advocate for equitable access to education and to empower youth worldwide through transformative technology.
Summit Highlights: Insight, Dialogue and Cultural Convergence
The summit’s opening events at Kansai University featured distinguished keynote speeches by Professor Yuko Harayama of Tohoku University on “Global Vision, Local Action: Building Inclusive Innovation Ecosystems,” and Dr. Pela Stres of the Jožef Stefan Institute on “Virtuous Leadership for a Technomoral Age.” Their reflections called on the next generation of leaders to anchor technological transformation within a moral and inclusive framework that elevates societal good beyond economic gains.
Workshops facilitated by expert youth trainer Rahmat HM focused on intercultural team-building and collaborative innovation. Participants engaged in rigorous debates under the guidance of leaders from UN ESCAP, ASEAN, and European futures institutes. Topics ranged from balancing economic advancement with sustainability and ethics to the importance of digital empathy in education. These rich dialogues culminated in a vibrant Traditional Night, celebrating the cultural diversity of 59 nationalities that strengthened bonds and inspired future collaborations.
Leadership in Action: Showcasing Youth-Driven Solutions
During ASEFYLS6, the Leadership in Action segment featured youth-driven innovations addressing critical societal challenges through technology for sustainable development. Manan presented “Smart Solutions for Clean Energy Access” at World Expo 2025, showcasing how IoT, AI, and blockchain enable marginalized communities to access affordable renewable energy, advancing SDGs 7, 9, and 13. Tamara presented at Kansai University on “Ensuring Deaf Communities Can Access Services and Opportunities,” highlighting digital platforms like DeafTawk that break communication barriers and support SDGs 3, 4, and 10.
The summit also highlighted other impactful youth initiatives tackling affordable tech education, sustainable farming, digital health access, inclusive waste management, and gender-focused reproductive health. These projects illustrated Society 5.0’s vision of ethical and inclusive technology used to solve social problems, reflecting GSF’s commitment to embedding innovation and equity together for a better future.
Immersive Study Visits: Bridging Theory and Practice
The delegation’s journey included two pivotal study visits in Kobe—first to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kansai Center, a beacon of global knowledge exchange on disaster risk reduction and sustainable development partnerships, and then to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, where delegates engaged with lessons on resilience and community recovery after catastrophe. These visits enriched the Summit’s dialogue with practical perspectives on leadership and sustainable action.
A full day at World Expo 2025 in Osaka allowed participants to experience firsthand how Society 5.0 principles are being operationalized globally through frontier innovations in smart city infrastructure, digital health, environmental stewardship, and education technologies.
Dialogues on Future Leadership and Digital Empowerment
The summit’s panel discussions exploring “Society 5.0 in Japan,” “Youth Digitalisation,” and “Future-Ready Skill Building” gathered wide-ranging voices from academia and innovation. Esteemed leaders such as Dr. Motoko Kotani from RIKEN and Sayaka Tanaka, founder of Waffle Japan, challenged participants to rethink leadership beyond technological expertise. They emphasized that skill in technology is insufficient; leadership requires ethical stewardship, sustainability, and a strong commitment to equity. These conversations highlighted that digital empowerment must be paired with social responsibility to build a truly inclusive future. The discussions underlined the importance of cultivating critical competencies in youth and combining formal education with real-world experience to develop future-ready skills. This holistic approach ensures emerging leaders are prepared not only to innovate but to lead with wisdom and compassion in a rapidly changing world.
GSF’s Role: Elevating Youth Advocacy in Society 5.0
GSF’s participation exemplifies how youth are pivotal architects of Society 5.0. Through sectoral expertise in clean energy and advocacy for accessibility and inclusion, GSF demonstrates its belief that innovation must be accompanied by social progress and democratic participation. Acting as conveners between policymakers, educators, and innovators, GSF aims to embed resilience, equity, and sustainability into the global innovation fabric, advancing SDGs 4, 7, 9, 10, and 13.
Broader Impact and Commitment
The summit went beyond being a typical conference, establishing itself as a global platform for youth-led ethical leadership in the digital era. It inspired participants to advocate for technology that serves humanity, stressing the importance of designing solutions that reach marginalized communities and respect future generations. The event highlighted a successful collaboration between academia, governments, international organizations, and youth networks. This partnership encourages meaningful dialogue, sparks innovation, and promotes shared responsibility for shaping a just and sustainable future.
Conclusion
The 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit represented an important milestone and a compelling call for ongoing collective efforts. By integrating Japan’s visionary Society 5.0 framework with vibrant youth leadership, the summit underscored that compassion, ethics, and sustainability form the foundation of significant technological advancement. This gathering deepened the understanding that digital transformation should serve as a catalyst to achieve justice, equality, and shared prosperity worldwide. The resolve to promote wise, inventive, and compassionate leadership remains steadfast, guiding actions to ensure technology empowers humanity inclusively and responsibly.
