Marina Matsui
Studies:
Simon Fraser University, Human GeographyI am passionate about
<p>
I am interested in international youth leadership development and incresing awareness of cross-cultural understanding in my country because Japan is a very homogenious country of small cultural and religious diversity. Also, youth involvement in local community is not very active as other countries are, so I would like to make impacts to encourage and enhance other yotuh in Japan to active in youth development, especially in Interfaith Dialogue. After participating the youth leadership program called the Ship for World Youth organized by the Japanese Cabinet Office, the achievement of world peace and unification over different culture and religion was considered as possible in our young generation. Over 260 delegates from 13 different countries have discussed over a month to discover solutions and possiblities through various topics such as Education, Media and Volunteerism. The Interfaith Dialogue is the one of the key topic to achieve the goal of world peace, and it is where I strongly interested and believe in. After this program. I went Sri Lanka to have my internship experience in the National Youth Services Council under the Ministry of Youth and Development of Sri Lanka. As an opposite perspective from the global scale, I became aware of the importance of Interfaith Dialogue and the need of global influence to local youths over the world, not only in Japan. I was in charge to organize and youth programs and at the same time, to reserach youth issues in Sri Lanka. As I met many local youth leaders in Sri Lanka, the need of international exposure to go over tradition and make changes in the country. However, the chance to have international experiences was limited and unable to afford. Therefore, I am ready to take an action for youths in the world to have an access to other part of world.</p>
Actions
<p>
I have been involved with the govermental international youth program callled the Ship for World Youth which increases the global diversity and leadership through many youth leaders from different countries. Through this network and contacts, I am preparing to create a global platform on online to encourage local youth by making an acess to other local youth leaders in the different areas or countries.<br />
<br />
I have been interviewing many global leaders who have the extensive careers such as working in international companies (like Goldman Sachs), diplomats or NGO representatives from different countries. They all have own knowledge or episodes to estblish their careers, and youths can benefit by accessing their stories to draw their global careers or get idea of new ititiatives.<br />
<br />
Also, the interviews from youth leaders from the same generations would be useful even if they have not established their careers compared to other global leaders. Their passions and thoughts through their experiences can encourage not only youth in the same country, but also other youth in the different contients. Many youth leaders' activities are specificlly connected to the local issues which are unable to be known, so many different kind of reality and issue will be discovered as well.<br />
</p>
<p>
Reporting global events which youth can participate is important. "One Young World" is one of the greatest events for youths, but unfortunatlly, it is not well recognized in some countres including Japan. The reports of these events will definetly encourage many local youth to participate and explore.<br />
<br />
My action for the website is mainly "reporting" at this moment, but once it is well extended, I would like to create a global platfort for youth to have discussion for current issues or policies, report each other to own local or national issues or cultural deep exchanging.<br />
</p>