On November 6th, the annual GCYS (Global Citizens Youth Summit) Reunion was held at YGC. Participants were, Mrs. Yumi Kuwana (Representative and Founder of GCI, the organizing committee of GCYS), Ms. Mako Matsuzaki (2015 GCYS Scholar from SAPIX YOZEMI GROUP), Mr. Akihiro Takigawa (2014 GCYS Scholar from SAPIX YOZEMI GROUP), other 2014-2015 GCYS Scholars from Japan, and mentors from the professional world, Mr. Eiichiro Kuwana, Mr. Michael Stephenson, and Mrs. Miwa Seki. From SAPIX YOZEMI GROUP, we had the CEO, Mr. Toshiro Takamiya and YGC members, Ms. Matsumoto, Mr. Shintani and Ms. Nakagawa.
The scholars first introduced themselves briefly and updated with their current situations (school activities, college application processes and projects they worked on during GCYS participation). A couple scholars are applying to universities overseas while one graduate of a famous boarding school in the United States currently attends Tokyo University. This scholar also attended a college in the United States during the gap year before attending Tokyo University. One scholar is enjoying his gap year after graduating from yet another boarding school in the United States and before proceeding to an Ivy League school and another scholar is planning to attend a university in Japan from a prestigious private high school. It truly was inspiring to know that all students are pursuing different academic paths.
Next, when asked about the students’ progress with their GCYS Glocalization Projects, many of them were unfortunately very busy with their academic studies that they are put on hold. However, they all said that they would like to continue with their projects as soon as things get settled.
Mr. Takamiya who was able to take part after he himself was a guest speaker at a separate event, led the discussion on the U.S. Presidential Election and hosting of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the year 2020. The discussion became intense, lively and unceasing that the session had to finish with many unsaid opinions and comments.
Based on how the students were exerting their opinions confidently and critically on a wide range of topics and issues, it truly was an eye-opening scenery where YGC realized the need to nurture students to be able to express their opinions subjectively and to actively take part in the GCYS.
