The United Nations Pavillion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai UNESCO CAMPUS-Ocean Environment Education: Passing on the Ocean that Nurtures Our Lives
Reporter: Maho ARAI (Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO)
The UNESCO Bangkok Office and the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU), jointly held the UNESCO CAMPUS-Ocean Environment Education: Passing on the Ocean that Nurtures Our Lives, at the United Nations Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on July 21, 2025. This event was organised as part of the Sustaining Our Ocean (SOO) Project, which is made possible with support from Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., the parent company of UNIQLO. (See details here)
United Nations Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
On the day of the event, a total of 40 participants — 33 junior and senior high school students, mainly from UNESCO Associated Schools Network, along with 7 teachers — gathered at the Immersive Theater of the United Nations Pavilion.
Introduction of the Project
At the beginning of the event, UNIQLO introduced its campaign JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING (implemented in 2022 and 2023), which contributes to reducing marine litter. This was followed by an introduction to the SOO Project by the UNESCO Bangkok Office.
The event then welcomed the following speakers: Ms. Naomi Kawase (film director / UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador), Mr. Kota Taguchi (Representative Director of Minato Lab / Project Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo, Center for Ocean Literacy and Education), and Mr. Kashu Nakagawa (student at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology / igoan UNESCO Club [unofficial]). Together with junior and senior high school students, they experienced a game currently under development as part of the SOO Project.
Game Experience (Mr. Nakagawa and Ms. Kawase)
Using VR goggles and smartphones, participants played a game in which they identified 20 species inhabiting the waters of Ranong -one of the five biosphere reserves in Thailand. The screen displayed the marine environment of Ranong, allowing participants to enjoyably learn about the ocean and its creatures.
Dialogue Between Speakers and Students
Following the game experience, a talk session was held, facilitated by Mr. Kota Taguchi, an expert in marine education. Ms. Kawase shared her personal connection with the ocean and her thoughts. Mr. Nakagawa introduced the activities of the igoan UNESCO Club, and spoke about his experiences and reflections through his involvement. Afterward, junior and senior high school students posed various questions to the speakers.
The talk session offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the interconnections between the ocean, humans, and the world. Concluding the session, Mr. Taguchi highlighted the importance of dialogue—something he observed consistently throughout the event, in contrast to a traditional one-way lecture. He encouraged the participating students to continue engaging in dialogue with people around them about what they had learned at the event.
Talk Session (Ms. Kawase and Mr. Taguchi)
After the event, participants were invited to write down an action they hope to take in the future. Many shared actions that reflected what they had learned, such as “Receive love from the ocean and love the ocean in return”, showing an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between humans and the sea, and “Engage in dialogue and let people around me learn about the ocean!”, emphasizing the importance of continuing dialogue.
Participants’ “Actions They Wish to Take in the Future”
As the Secretariat of the SOO Project in Japan, ACCU will continue to organise field visits and other activities in the country, while creating opportunities for dialogue that involve people from diverse backgrounds.