From December 12 to 15, the "Japan-ASEAN Online Program toward SDGs 2023" was conducted online. Hosted by Nagasaki University, co-organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan, with the cooperation of Okayama University, 54 students, 36 from AUN member universities and 18 from the Six National Universities (Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, Kumamoto University)participated in this program.

Under the theme "Flush Out the Differences: A Cross-Cultural Workshop on Toilets and Sanitation," the program focused on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3-3 and 6-2 (*). Students from the ASEAN region and Japan exchanged ideas on how to achieve better toilet environments and sanitation conditions, while understanding each other's cultural backgrounds and differences in perceptions. The number of applications far exceeded the maximum number, indicating the high level of interest in this theme.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of AUN gave a message to the students, and Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi of Okayama University gave an address and encouraged the participating students as the Director of the Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS). On the first day, an introductory lecture on group work was given by Assist. Prof. MORIYASU Taeko of the Office for Global Relations at Nagasaki University. Students then worked in groups facilitated by Assist. Prof. Moriyasu on the second and third days. From Okayama University, Assoc. Prof. INAMORI Takao and Assoc. Prof. Saida Khalmirzaeva of the Institute of Global Human Resource Development also participated as cooperating teachers to support the students’ group work.

On the final day, each group presented designs for functional and hygienic toilets that could be used on uninhabited islands, considering SDGs, and shared a variety of ideas.

For about ten years, AUN and the Six National Universities have conducted active exchanges, including student exchanges such as summer program and spring program and co-hosting academic seminars, and other collaborations based on the partnership agreement. It is expected that academic and research exchanges will be further promoted in collaboration with each member university.

Comment from HIRAKATA Mai, a first-year student in the Faculty of Law at Okayama University who participated in the program:
Together with students from universities in the ASEAN region, we came up with ideas and presented them to each other in order to achieve better toilet environments and sanitary conditions to achieve SDGs 3-3 and 6-2. When I studied abroad in Thailand for a short time this summer, the most surprising thing to me was the sanitary condition of the toilets. Through this program, I was able to learn a lot by having the opportunity to discuss the problems of water sanitation in ASEAN countries and come up with solutions. I was amazed several times by the diversity of thinking through discussions with students who live in different countries and regions and were born in different places. I believe that we were able to understand and respect each other's cultural backgrounds. The issue of toilets and sanitation, is a topic that we hesitate to discussed, but even after the program, I would like to continue to think about ways to solve this problem without overlooking it.

(*) SDGs Goals 3-3 and 6-2:
3-3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
6-2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

○The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan
The Consortium was established in March 2013 for the purpose of further strengthening functions of education, academic research, social contribution, etc., and promoting human resource development and upgrading academic research to lead global society through cooperation among the six national universities, while respecting their independence and self-reliance.

○Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS)
An organization established within the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan to promote international collaboration and cooperation among the six national universities. Okayama University Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi serves as the director of the organization.