LocationsInayojumuisha: Youth Co-Creation, Shaping Africa's Future Held on 3 March 2025
Event Report: The Launch of the Second Edition of the Model African Union in Japan
April 28, 2025
The Model African Union (MAU) conference in Japan is designed to facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding between students from Africa and Japan, empowering them with a platform to engage in discussions on sustainable development. The inaugural MAU conference, held on August 23, 2024, as a thematic event at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, simulated the African Union's Specialized Technical Committees (STC) and Summit, focusing on the theme "Youth Solutions for a Greener Africa."
Building on the success of the first edition, the co-organizers of the MAU in Japan—the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sophia University, and a multidisciplinary organizing committee composed of student volunteers from both Japan and Africa—launched the second edition. This edition's simulation of the assembly will be a thematic event at the TICAD9 Summit in Yokohama.
The second edition of the MAU was launched at Sophia University on March 3, 2025, building on the momentum of the inaugural event. The launch introduced the upcoming conference’s main theme, discussion topics, and a renewed vision for the initiative. It also served as a platform to showcase the impact of the MAU, highlighting how it has influenced and empowered its first cohort of participants. The event underscored the meaningful connections and lasting impact the MAU fosters—bridging continents and nurturing the next generation of leaders. A total of 40 participants attended in person, with an additional 50 joining online.
Mr. Kenju Murakami (left), Deputy Director-General and Deputy Assistant Minister for the African Affairs Department at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Yoshiaki Terumichi (right), President of Sophia University.
The event began with welcoming remarks from the President of Sophia University, Prof. Yoshiaki Terumichi, who welcomed all participants and expressed gratitude to Mr. Kenju Murakami for his participation, as well as to all those who contributed to organizing the event. He highlighted Sophia University’s strong research presence in African Studies and its commitment to connecting academic knowledge with practical initiatives, including the MAU. He encouraged young participants to use this event to engage with Africa and develop a global citizen mindset personally.
Next, Mr. Kenju Murakami, the Deputy Director-General and Deputy Assistant Minister for the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered congratulatory remarks. He emphasized that African youth possess the resilience to overcome challenges and noted that events like the MAU, contribute to TICAD9, encouraging participants to promote multilateralism.
Scene from the panel discussion.
The panel discussion, titled "Overview of the Model African Union," was moderated by Mr. Tetsuo Kondo, former Director of the UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo. The following panelists participated: Mr. Manato Ichitaka, a student at the University of Tokyo (Junior division, science track) and Best Delegate Awardee at the first edition of the MAU; Mr. Adewunmi Oluwaseun, a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at Nagasaki University and Advisor for the MAU first edition; Ms. Gloria Kamwezi, a student at Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Environmental Science, who served as Advisor for the MAU first edition and Head of Communications for the MAU second edition; and Ms. Michi Hosokawa, a recent graduate of Sophia University and Rapporteur for the MAU first edition.
Mr. Manato Ichitaka, recipient of the Best Delegate Award at the first edition of the MAU.
During the first round of questions, the panelists reflected on their experiences from the first edition. Mr. Manato Ichitaka valued the opportunity to meet experts and gain knowledge. Ms. Gloria Kamwezi highlighted that the event helped Japanese youth recognize that Africa is a continent of distinct nations, each facing unique challenges but also possessing the capacity to overcome them. Representing Rwanda, she focused on environmental issues and found the research and policy analysis process meaningful.
Ms. Gloria Kamwezi, Advisor for the first edition of the MAU.
Mr. Adewunmi Oluwaseun, when asked about Nigeria’s team winning the Best Delegate Award, attributed their success to passion, teamwork, and effective collaboration. Ms. Michi Hosokawa shared that as a rapporteur, it was crucial to observe discussions objectively, and that ensuring inclusivity and engaging with a wide range of participants was essential.
Mr. Adewunmi Oluwaseun, Advisor for the first edition of the MAU.
The second round of questions focused on recommendations and encouragement for prospective participants of the second edition. Mr. Manato Ichitaka emphasized that preparation and maintaining a broad perspective are key. He stressed that engaging with diverse people and gathering information in advance is crucial and expressed his desire for the MAU to continue making a lasting impact. Ms. Gloria Kamwezi noted that the uniqueness of the MAU lies in its ability to empower youth and connect African and Japanese students.
Ms. Michi Hosokawa, Rapporteur for the first edition of the MAU.
Mr. Adewunmi Oluwaseun highlighted the immense diversity of Africa, noting that Nigeria alone has six major languages and over 400 ethnic groups. He emphasized that embracing diversity and fostering dialogue are fundamental, and he believes the MAU offers a valuable platform for this experience. Ms. Michi Hosokawa stated that inclusivity will be a central theme in the next edition, as it facilitates productive discussions. She encouraged future participants to seek connections with experts, gather information, and engage in meaningful debates.
Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa.
Later, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator & Regional Director for Africa, commented on the panel discussion and expressed her admiration for the leadership demonstrated by youth in addressing African issues. She praised the dedication of the panelists and emphasized that traditional diplomacy is no longer effective in tackling the world’s challenges. Instead, she advocated for a new form of diplomacy that fosters peace. She also highlighted the importance of inclusivity, particularly for Japan, where demographic shifts necessitate the involvement of youth. She stressed the growing interdependence between Japan and Africa. She expressed UNDP’s commitment to supporting the MAU and international collaboration leading up to TICAD9.
Ms. Gloria Kamwezi, Head of Communications for the second edition of the MAU, and Mr. Taiga Nakajima, Head of the Academic Affairs Department, presenting an overview of the second edition.
Next, Ms. Glorya Kamwezi, Advisor for the Delegation of Rwanda during the MAU first edition and Head of Communications for the MAU second edition, alongside Mr. Taiga Nakajima, a student at the University of Tokyo majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences, Chair of the MAU first edition, and Head of the Academic Affairs Department for the second edition, presented an overview of the second edition and officially launched the Call to Action.
The theme for the second edition is “Inayojumuisha: Youth Co-Creation, Shaping Africa's Future.” The conference will feature three specialized technical committees:
- STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning, and Integration: Youth Engagement for Africa’s Solidarity in the Global Economy
- STC on Youth, Culture, and Sports: Youth for Political Reformation
- STC on Education, Science, and Technology: Building Self-Sustaining Wealth and Digital Infrastructure for Youth in Africa
Following the presentation, Mr. Shusei Ono, the former President of the Model African Union in Japan, delivered a congratulatory message. He expressed his appreciation for those involved in the first edition of the MAU and noted that it significantly enhanced mutual understanding between Japanese and African students, providing participants with a true understanding of Africa’s realities.
Mr. Shusei Ohno (left), the former President of the Model African Union in Japan, handing over the Certificate of Handover to the Organizing Committee for the second edition.
The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Toshiyuki Nakamura, Special Advisor to the President of JICA. He emphasized the importance of ownership in problem-solving, acknowledging that taking ownership is not easy, as participants discovered in the first edition. He stated that Africa’s challenges are global concerns, and innovative solutions for these challenges can benefit the world. He encouraged youth to take ownership of these challenges and transform their efforts into tangible solutions through discussions between African and Japanese youth, expressing optimism for the emergence of new generations, concepts, and partnerships through this initiative.
Mr. Toshiyuki Nakamura, Special Advisor to the President of JICA.
In conclusion, the launch of the second edition of the MAU marked a powerful continuation of the momentum set by its inaugural event. It served as a pivotal platform for unveiling critical topics for discussion, introducing the main theme, and presenting a renewed vision for the conference. More than just a reflection of its past success, the event underscored the profound impact of the MAU on its first group of participants, highlighting the enduring relationships and transformative influence it cultivates. Through its role in connecting continents and shaping the next generation of leaders, the MAU is not only fostering collaboration but also leaving an indelible legacy of empowerment, one that will continue to inspire and drive change for years to come.
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