JCIE held the first Networking Conference as a part of the Supporting Youths of Diverse Roots and an Inclusive Society (SYDRIS) initiative, which is providing grants to organizations that offer innovative approaches to ensure that young people with foreign roots can thrive in Japan. About 30 participants from the organizations implementing the selected projects attended to deepen their understanding of the activities of each participating organization and of the significance of the SYDRIS program.

The virtual conference began with speakers noting that foreign youths living in Japan could be the key to revitalizing Japanese communities. The representatives of each organization then introduced activities according to the characteristics and needs of the area in which they are active as well as shared techniques and advice for improving these activities.

Key points from the conference include:

• We must identify and better understand issues in social and institutional environments that need to be resolved so that foreign youths can receive sufficient support in the areas of education, employment, and community participation. 
• The spread of COVID-19 has led these organizations to develop online support, strengthen consultation systems, disseminate multilingual information, and provide food for foreign residents in Japan.

To learn more about this conference (in Japanese), please click here.