Application calls for 66th International Student Conference in Osaka, Japan

Summary 

International Student Conference (ISC) is an organization established in 1954, where international exchanges and discussions take place. Students from around the world are invited to Japan each year for two weeks, where they discuss solutions to world issues. On the last day, participants will discuss their final solutions during the Final Forum.

Benefits

ISC places its importance on diversity. Every year, ISC receives applications from students with a variety of different backgrounds and experiences. With such a diverse group of participants, participants can also learn from each other by directly exchanging various opinions and perspectives.

During the program, all participants spend their time together in the same facilities. Through experiencing communal living and other activities such as sightseeing and cultural exchanges, participants can have deep interactions with each other. By the end of the program, all students can create strong bonds with each other, which can last a lifetime.

Discussion Topics 

Basically, students will have set six different academic discussion groups. Each group will focus on a current global issue that relates to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the six topics are:

• Surveillance Capitalism: Impacts on Commercial, Social and Political Futures
• Migrant Workers or Modern Slavery? When Local Laborers meet Global Capitalism
• Circular Economy: Cleaner Environment, Healthier Humans
• Endorsing Open Data Initiatives (ODI) While Ensuring Data Privacy
• Climate Activism through Mass Movements: Youth Fighting for the Future or Much Ado About Nothing?
• Overworking in Japanese Society

Eligibilities

To participate in ISC, participants must be a student: undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. candidate.  As the future global leaders, the organizers aim for participants to deepen their understanding of global society by discussing issues with one another and broadening their knowledge through research and interacting with students with different backgrounds.

In terms of foreign resident students, international students must have

• a dedication to this conference, motivated, and responsible during all activities.
• enrollment in college, university or graduate school overseas, as well as be above 18 years old as of June 1st, 2020.
• time to come to Japan and participate in the entire program.
• a proficient level of English to be able to join academic discussions in English.

​Schedule 

• May 23rd – 24th: Advanced Conference (Not mandatory for those residing outside of Japan)
• June – August: Study meetings with your table members (The meetings will be either online or offline. Details will be announced later by your table chief.)
• August 12th – 15th: Advanced Study Tour
• August 16th – 24th: Main Conference

Fees

The fees for overseas resident participants are 35,000 JPY. Moreover, this participation fee covers accommodation, meals, and transportation during the Advanced Study Tour and Main Conference. It, however, does not cover the transportation fee to and from Japan or other costs that may arise.

Application process 

Interested candidates can apply through this form and submit the form along with the necessary documents.

Download the application form here.