On Saturday, November 1, 2025, ILEC hosted the International Youth Workshop under the theme “Thinking about Lakes Together with the World,” as part of a commissioned project from Shiga Prefecture.
The purpose of this workshop was to use World Lake Day as an opportunity to raise interest in lake-related environmental issues, empower youth to take action toward solutions, and foster the next generation of internationally active leaders.
Part 1: Presentations and Reports
- Presentation by Shiga Prefecture
- Mr. Yamamoto, Director of the Lake Biwa Conservation and Restoration Division, delivered a presentation on “The Relationship between World Lake Day and Shiga Prefecture.”
- Reports from High School Students Who Participated in WLC20
- Four students who took part in the 20th World Lake Conference shared their experiences, lessons learned, and their aspirations for future engagement.
Part 2: International Exchange
- Presentations by International Youth Participants
- Youth participants from four countries presented their ongoing activities and initiatives for lake and environmental conservation.
- Presentations by High School Students in Shiga Prefecture
- Local high school students engaged in environmental conservation work also reported their initiatives and activities.
Part 3: Group Discussion
Toward the end of the event, the participants were divided into three groups consisting of both Japanese and international youth to exchange ideas. Based on the question, “What actions can we take starting from World Lake Day?” participants actively discussed ideas and deepened mutual understanding.
As a result of the discussions, the following proposals were formulated:
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Inspired by “World Lake Day,” we commit to…
- Protecting lakes as sources of drinking water:
- – Organizing lake clean-up competitions
- – Introducing simple water purification filters
- – Practicing water conservation in daily life
- Keeping lake water clean through everyday actions:
- – Using reusable water bottles
- – Bringing our own shopping bags
- – Reducing plastic waste through recycling
- – Raising awareness through social media campaigns
- Contributing to local environmental stewardship:
- – Participating in clean-up activities
- – Joining community-based conservation initiatives
- – Paying greater attention to the protection of local flora and fauna
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These youth proposals will be reflected in the next World Lake Conference Youth Session and future environmental initiatives within Shiga Prefecture.
Closing Remarks
Participants shared feedback such as:
“We realized that the issues of Lake Biwa are connected to the challenges faced by lakes across the world.”
“I felt that water issues are truly shared across borders. I want to continue building on the connections made today.”
The workshop helped participants recognize international perspectives and broaden their understanding of lake issues.
ILEC will continue its efforts to support and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders.
