Philosophy
Purpose
Design Our Future
Mission
1
Become the place
to encounter ner worlds
2
Become the center
to produce innovative ideas
3
Become the pratform
to connect with worldwide youths
IDYF is a student-led organization in Japan where passionate young changemakers unite to tackle the world’s toughest development challenges.
We believe that real change begins when youth step forward — to question, to analyze, and to act.
At IDYF, you’ll challenge yourself to see global issues from fresh perspectives, think critically, and collaborate across cultures to create solutions that matter.
During our one-week forum in Tokyo, you’ll join driven participants from around the world for intense discussions, bold ideas, and real teamwork.
Together, you’ll dive deep into complex development issues, share your vision for a better world, and build the skills and connections to turn that vision into action.
If you’re ready to think globally, act boldly, and shape the future — IDYF is where your journey begins.
President of IDYF
Hayato Sonoda
the University of Tokyo
Dan Saito
the University of Kyoto
Adviser's message
Manabu Fujimura
Professor (Development Economics)
Aoyama Gakuin University
I must begin this message with the fact that this forum's former adviser, Professor Nobuhiko Fuwa of the University of Tokyo, passed away suddenly and prematurely in 2018. Nobu was one of my dearest friend as well a very respected scholar and educator for more than 35 years. I still cannot overcome losing Nobu, but as one of the researchers in development economics, it is my honor to take over his role of supporting this forum.
As was stated in Nobu's message earlier, I agree that days spent at University are very precious. It is because we can debate and argue over the meaning of our lives, their values, how can we be better contribute to the world, and how we can be happy at the same time- without bothering too much about our time constraint. To enrich our ingredients with which to discuss these important matters in life, interacting with people from all walks of life over the globe without pre-packaged self-interests would be very precious and such interaction would go a long way to forming our lifetime assets.
Mr. Muramatsu, this year's representative for this forum, informed me that the participants are solicited through Facebook to which quite many applicants would respond. I, who belong to the "analogue-native" generation, cannot help feeling a gap with the "digital-native" generation.But I believe it is your digital native generation that should open up to the new ideas and experiments to lead the world for the better future- but do not leave our analogue-native generation behind, please.
As I see the recent development of the world, it seems to be receding from a liberal and open global society towards a narrow-minded self-interest based one century ago. I hope this forum blows away such negative image and helps redirect the discussion towards an open global society.
Finally, I would have to repeat my dear friend Nobu's words: "How exciting it would be to have such friends scattered all over the world for the rest of your life! Had IDYF existed 30 years ago when I was a college student, I would no doubt have joined the forum without hesitation."