Josai Institute for Central European Studies Hosts the 4th Central Europe/Japan Student Conference

Josai Institute for Central European Studies hosted the fourth Central Europe/Japan Student Conference with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, in the international conference room of Building No.3 on Josai University Educational Corporation’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus on February 10, 2018. The main theme of this conference was “Growing disparities in wealth and income in industrialized societies: life and work challenges for students.” In the conference, students from five of our partner institutions in Europe, and students of Josai and Josai International University expressed their own views and discussed each subject proposed for the following panels:

Panel 1:	“The Uneven Starting Line ― The impact of family income and status on students’ educational choices”;
Panel 2:	“Some Are More Equal Than Others ― Geography and ethnicity as factors in educational opportunities”;
Panel 3:	“Social Inequality in Various Environments”

At the beginning of the conference, His Excellency Dr. Norbert Palanovics pointed out in his speech that education provides various opportunities irrespective of the difference in nationality. Further, he expected participants to deepen the debate in the conference.　The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, who kindly lent monetary support to this conference, is a non-profit foundation. They endeavor to develop public policy through education, studies and international cooperation. Dr. Sven Saaler, Representative in Japan of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, and Professor of Sophia University, commented that social disparities are a deep-seated problem for younger people. He also added that this kind of conference is highly significant in promoting international exchanges.

After opening speeches, the conference went into panel discussions. Students from University of Economics, Prague (the Czech Republic), University of Cologne (Germany), University of Pécs (Hungary), University of Warsaw (Poland) and Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovakia), and our students, including those of our partner universities in Central Europe currently spending time with Josai on various programs, each delivered their own opinions.

Several interesting cases were introduced:
1.	In a highly-educated society, oftentimes extra training to obtain additional skills such as language and IT skills on top of formal education is necessary to find advantageous job placement. The example in Germany was introduced where this requires a large amount of additional education expenses.
2.	The case in Japan was brought up where three out of four students must work part-time job to earn their living expenses; a situation detrimental to their academic work.

A panelist reporting on the subject: “The Expansion of Social Disparity and Its Impact on Students’ Life”

A panelist reporting on the subject:
“The Expansion of Social Disparity and
Its Impact on Students’ Life”

The students of Faculty of Nursing, JIU, reporting on the subject: “Social Inequality in Various Environment”

The students of Faculty of Nursing, JIU, reporting on
the subject: “Social Inequality in Various Environment”