Online Exchange with Overseas Universities 2025-2026

日本語ページはこちら（Japanese）

In order to further build ”international cooperation in consumer policy,” Tokushima Prefecture has been holding a student-led online exchange (presentations and discussions) between universities in the prefecture and overseas universities since FY2021.

For fiscal year 2025, we held an online exchange meeting with the theme “Practicing Ethical Consumption for a Sustainable Future ～From ’Declaration’ to ’Recommendation’～,” with the goal of making recommendations to the national government, local governments, businesses, etc. regarding relevant issues that individuals and society should address.

The participating schools gave presentations and exchanged opinions, connecting the physical venue in the prefecture with those overseas, online.
Each university shared examples of ethical consumption initiatives they are undertaking in their respective schools/countries. These included a variety of activities, such as bringing your own bottle/containers, displaying stickers encouraging energy conservation, distributing handbooks, conducting surveys in regions with limited food access, promoting the use of color-coded trash bins, and composting food waste. However, challenges to promoting ethical consumption were raised, including low general awareness and a lack of human resources to support ongoing activities.
During the discussion, participants dug deeper into the initiatives implemented by each school and raised questions based on a common concern among participants, such as “How do you take the first step toward purchasing ethical products?” The response was, “Choosing ethical products is an expression of your own values. If you think about it as consideration for various global issues, it’s easier to get into.”
Based on the learning and insights gained through this exchange, the participating schools are now set to work on making policy recommendations for the national government, local governments, businesses, and other organizations.

Since FY2021, Tokushima Prefecture has been conducting this online program between universities in Tokushima Prefecture and overseas universities, where students can exchange opinions on consumer education and present them, in order to further strengthen ”international cooperation in consumer policy.”