The two-day pre-training course for Japanese participants was held at the 3rd Conference Room of Shinjuku Bunka Center on June 21 and 22.

On the first day, after an icebreaking activity where participants introduced themselves in English, they discussed and shared Japan's ongoing environmental problems in groups.

The group work continued on the second day. Each participant chose their own environmental theme, which were elaborated by Ms. Takano, the program coordinator as homework for the summer programme.

Then, the lecture on sustainable society was given by Mr. Kazuo Takahashi, Visiting Professor of United Nations University. In the lecture, he explained that the trend of peak and decline of environmental movements was largely influenced by youths. Lastly, participants in three groups discussed and presented what they wish to challenge after the participation in the programme.