The 3rd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness was held on 15 and 16 February 2025.
The Ministry of Justice of Japan convened the “3rd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness” in Kyoto on 15 and 16 February 2025.
The “Kyoto Declaration”, adopted at the14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice or so-called “Kyoto Congress” held in 2021 in Kyoto, highlighted the importance of youth empowerment. Against this background, the Ministry of Justice of Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been convening the Global Youth Forums on a regular basis.
In the past two forums (the first forum held in Tokyo in October 2021, attended by around 90 participants from 33 countries, and the second forum held in Kyoto, attended by around 70 participants from 27 countries and regions), the youth participants discussed the following topics: “Reaching the Age of Adulthood and participation in Society” (the first forum); “Youth Involvement in and Disengagement from Organized Crime: The Role of Youth in Preventing Organized Crime” (the second forum), under the overall theme of “The Role of Youth in Achieving a Diverse and Inclusive Society”.
In the 3rd Forum, 79 youth participants from 35 countries gathered and discussed under the theme of “Youth as Pioneers in Shaping a More Inclusive, Safe & Just Society - Utilization and Challenges of AI and Digital Technologies in the Field of Law and Justice”.
The “Kyoto Declaration”, adopted at the14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice or so-called “Kyoto Congress” held in 2021 in Kyoto, highlighted the importance of youth empowerment. Against this background, the Ministry of Justice of Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been convening the Global Youth Forums on a regular basis.
In the past two forums (the first forum held in Tokyo in October 2021, attended by around 90 participants from 33 countries, and the second forum held in Kyoto, attended by around 70 participants from 27 countries and regions), the youth participants discussed the following topics: “Reaching the Age of Adulthood and participation in Society” (the first forum); “Youth Involvement in and Disengagement from Organized Crime: The Role of Youth in Preventing Organized Crime” (the second forum), under the overall theme of “The Role of Youth in Achieving a Diverse and Inclusive Society”.
In the 3rd Forum, 79 youth participants from 35 countries gathered and discussed under the theme of “Youth as Pioneers in Shaping a More Inclusive, Safe & Just Society - Utilization and Challenges of AI and Digital Technologies in the Field of Law and Justice”.
At the opening ceremony, following the opening remarks by Mr. KANDA Junichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice, as well as by Mr. John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs of UNODC, and Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), as co-organizers of this forum, Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko of Takamado delivered a congratulatory speech.
After the opening ceremony, key note lectures were delivered by Mr. TAKASHIMA Ryosuke, Mayor of Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Dr. SUMIDA Mihoko, Hitotsubashi Institute for Advanced Study, and Dr. Simon Deakin, University of Cambridge.
Mr. TAKASHIMA talked on the leadership and dialogue which provided insights regarding the qualities needed for active youth on the global stage.
To further enrich discussions, Dr. SUMIDA and Dr. Deakin shared dynamic perspectives on the utilization and challenges of AI in the field of law and justice, as well as how to solve practical problems posed by its use, as forefront researchers in this field.
Mr. TAKASHIMA talked on the leadership and dialogue which provided insights regarding the qualities needed for active youth on the global stage.
To further enrich discussions, Dr. SUMIDA and Dr. Deakin shared dynamic perspectives on the utilization and challenges of AI in the field of law and justice, as well as how to solve practical problems posed by its use, as forefront researchers in this field.
Over the past two days, youth participants with diverse backgrounds engaged in intensive discussions. In the discussions, participants shared views on present situations surrounding AI and digital technologies in each country, and explored ways to make best use of latest AI and digital technologies in the field of law and justice together with to address challenges in their use.
At the end of this forum, a set of recommendations was adopted. These recommendations will be presented to the United Nations and expected to be a reference to policy makers and practitioners.
By organizing the youth forums, the Ministry of Justice of Japan continues to contribute in conveying youths' voices to the international community and fostering leaders in the field of law and justice who can play an active role in the international community.