2024.May.14

EVENTS

The 1st BAIRAL Research Meeting for Fiscal Year 2024
“Challenges Facing Racial and Cultural Minorities in Japan and Creating Opportunities for Intercultural Dialogue”

◇BAIRAL（B’AI RA League）

BAIRAL is a study group by young research assistants (RA) of the B’AI Global Forum of the Institute for AI and Beyond at the University of Tokyo. Aiming to achieve gender equality and a guarantee of rights for minorities in the AI era, this study group examines relationships between digital information technology and society. BAIRAL organizes research meetings every other month with guest speakers in a variety of fields.

 

◇Date & Venue

・Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 5:00 – 6:30 pm (JST)
・Venue: Online via Zoom（No registration required）
https://u-tokyo-ac-jp.zoom.us/j/87272147889?pwd=wgHa3WIwu59QbXU8m9TMfxKJcA3wlo.1
Meeting ID: 872 7214 7889
Passcode: 512428
・Language: Japanese

◇Guest Speaker

Naomi Iwazawa (Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo)

◇Abstract

As globalization advances, the challenge of building a society where people from different cultural backgrounds can coexist has become increasingly important. In Japan, the growing number of “people with foreign roots,” who bring diverse racial and cultural perspectives, has sparked active discussions on how to foster coexistence.

Moreover, there has been ongoing debate about how to create environments where “attributes of diverse minorities,” broadly defined by race and culture, are welcomed as part of the community. In education, initiatives are being pushed to ensure fair learning opportunities for language and cultural minorities and to enhance intercultural skills. In the workplace, from the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) standpoint, training sessions are held to promote equal opportunities and develop skills for collaborative work that honors diversity.

This session explores the specific challenges that racial and cultural minorities face in schools and workplaces, along with the perspectives and reactions of various stakeholders. Strategies for Japan to address these challenges will be discussed, taking into account the anxiety and bystander attitudes prevalent in Japanese culture towards collaboration with minorities.

How can new platforms and opportunities be developed to enhance relationships between diverse groups? We will review design principles and program examples that have effectively tackled these challenges. The aim is to pinpoint practical strategies that can be applied to strengthen intercultural relations and promote inclusivity. Looking ahead, we’re also interested in exploring how technology and AI can play a role in enhancing intercultural dialogue.

 

◇Organizer

B’AI Global Forum, Institute for AI and Beyond at the University of Tokyo

 ◇Inquiry

Priya Mu (Research assistant of the B’AI Global Forum)
priya-mu[at]g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Please change [at] to @)