Updates on Societal Issues Research 2021
In reviewing and identifying societal issues, the ICF Secretariat runs several parallel programs over the year.
Third Seminar on Listings of Societal Issues: September 16th
The Listings of Societal Issue Seminar series, which started in June, covers issues from each of the six ICF focus areas offering additional commentary on the Listings of Societal Issues.
At the third seminar in September, the main topics were four issues on Energy and the Environment:
insufficient sustainability of the energy supply; insufficient electrification and energy saving in the household and industrial sectors; insufficient awareness of energy saving and decarbonization for use at homes; and insufficient recycling and ineffective use of resources.
New issues were also introduced that will be covered in the upcoming FY 2021 edition.
The 38 participants posed many valuable questions and commentary in the zoom chatbox as well as throughout the post-seminar networking time.
Notable Discussion:
•The possibility for enterprises to lead change in behavior among employees
•The necessity to consider the entire life cycle of products and improvement in CO2 emission control when replacing home appliances and other items
Note: Link to the event report (in Japanese).
Upcoming Seminars:
Fourth Seminar
•Theme: Mobility
•Date: November 25th (changed from the original schedule in October)
Fifth Seminar
•Theme: Education and Human Resources Development
•Date: TBD (scheduled for December)
→ Details to be announced soon
Walk Through Videos on Societal Issues
The Secretariat produced walk-through videos explaining the Listings of Societal Issues and started delivering them through the ICF website. Each video is 10 minutes long and offers commentary on the societal issues, starting from problems, followed by issues to be addressed, and wrapping up with technological and regulatory trends. Five videos on wellness are currently available and cover: insufficient access to medical services, intensifying shortage of care workers, increase in the number of people suffering from mental illness, increasing health risks for women, and worsening harm caused by loneliness and isolation.
ICF members have exclusive access to the videos.
Recent Activities
Business Acceleration Program (BAP) Finalists Selection: October 1st
Seven finalists were selected through the first and second rounds in the ICF Business Acceleration Program 2021. The finalists will receive mentoring from MRI researchers for two months until the final pitch contest on December 10th.
For More Information:
•Business Acceleration Program 2021 website
•October 1st MRI press release on BAP
Upcoming Activities (October – November)
Co-Creation Day Scheduled for October 26th
Following the ICF’s inaugural meeting in April, the autumn general meeting, Co-Creation Day, is planned for October. In the first part of the meeting, the secretariat will report the results of activities in the first half of FY2021 and plans for upcoming activities.
In the second part, Dr. Tomy Kamada, an ICF advisor, will deliver a keynote speech.
In the third part, ICF members will deliver presentations, to be followed by a panel discussion.
The ICF members, actively engaged in the following areas will talk about their policies for resolving societal issues and expectations for ICF activities:
•Carbon neutrality
•Empowerment of women
•Regional revitalization
Time and date: 3-5 pm, Tuesday, October 26th, online via Zoom
→ Online networking will be held until 5 pm for those who wish to take part
Details will be announced shortly.