Unleash the Potential of Young Changemakers

On March 9th in Tokyo, four former Ashoka Youth Venturers between 18 and 31 years old came together to share their current work, personal journeys, and the insights they’ve gained through their involvement with the Ashoka community. A small audience joined the gathering, creating an intimate and heartfelt space where stories of change, identity, and empathy unfolded.

One alumna, 20-year-old, who created and  leads an initiative using a card game to raise awareness about the situation in Myanmar, spoke about how her upbringing shaped her vision. Her mother, a changemaker in her own right, once wrote a thoughtful letter to a Japanese airline that resulted in changes to their allergy meal policies—demonstrating how quiet persistence can lead to systemic change. This early example of gentle yet powerful advocacy became the foundation for Yuna’s own path.

Another former Youth Venturer, 19-year-old, who founded and has been hosting “Riverside Library” community gatherings in Tokyo, shared how empathy became a guiding principle in her life. She credited her mother, who always made a point of noticing if someone was being left out in public settings. That early example instilled in Sara a deep sensitivity to others, which now drives her passion for fostering human connection. Her program—centered around exchanging used books—has been gaining momentum as a creative way to spark conversation and build community. 

A third alumna, who recently turned 31, was one of the first Youth Venturers to choose an unconventional career path. Instead of following a traditional route, she gained hands-on experience at farms across Japan before arriving at her current role. Today, she is a devoted facilitator helping children develop empathy and emotional awareness through horse-assisted therapy—a practice she has spent eight years mastering, driven by a passion she has nurtured since early childhood.

The fourth speaker, a current university student, is already running a startup that supports international students in Japan to find jobs where they can fully utilize their skills and potential. His initiative has gained strong resonance, even attracting significant investment from supporters.

The entire session was conducted in both Japanese and English to ensure accessibility for a diverse audience, including non-native Japanese speakers. Many participants offered comments and questions, leading to rich discussions that reflected Ashoka’s core values—empathy, systems change, and youth-led leadership.

Though small in scale, the event offered a vivid embodiment of what Ashoka strives to nurture: empathy-based social transformation,  shaped by personal experience and committed to building a more inclusive world.