Next-Generation Leaders from Africa and Japan Gather

Photo: UNDP

From May 16th to 17th, 2026, the 'Model African Union (MAU) Japan Conference 2026' will be held at Sophia University over two days. The theme for this year is 'Ubuntu – I am because we are.' At this event, Japanese and African youth will gather in one place.

The third Model African Union Japan Conference, co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Sophia University, has achieved significant growth as a youth-led diplomatic platform promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and partnership between Japan and Africa.

This year's conference will be attended by 149 student delegates (134 university students and 15 high school students). These student delegates were selected from 326 applicants from across the country. Participants hail from 24 prefectures, demonstrating the growing interest in Japan-Africa exchanges throughout Japan. Students will gather from over 60 public and private universities and high schools nationwide, including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, Hiroshima, Oita, Aichi, Saitama, Kyoto, Niigata, and Hokkaido. This opportunity, which also includes high school students, aims to foster leadership development in younger generations and realize intergenerational dialogue.

Participants will represent 42 African nations that have diplomatic missions in Japan. They will be divided into three Specialized Technical Committees (STCs), mimicking the African Union (AU) conferences, to engage in lively discussions. The respective topics to be discussed in each committee are: Governance and Peacebuilding, Economic Integration, and Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development. Through negotiations and deliberations that simulate the real Model African Union, students will gain practical skills and experience in policy negotiation, multilateral diplomacy, and consensus building. All these efforts are aligned with 'Agenda 2063,' Africa's long-term goal for development, and the priority development issues of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

Past participants have stated that this program significantly impacted their personal growth and careers. A Japanese participant described it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime journey-like experience,' providing deep exposure to African perspectives and diplomacy. A participant from Burkina Faso expressed gaining 'lifelong confidence' by experiencing leadership, speech, and negotiation skills in an international setting through the Model African Union. Furthermore, a participant from Algeria recalled learning 'how to find the best solutions with others' by cooperating with people from different cultures in the Model African Union. These reflections from past participants indicate that the Model African Union transcends a mere conference, serving as a platform for young people to acquire practical skills, an international perspective, and self-confidence by participating in multilateral negotiations.

The 2026 Model African Union Japan Conference is held with the significant cooperation of the African Union (AU) Commission and the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan (African Embassies in Japan). The African embassies in Japan play a crucial role in providing direct advice to students, helping them understand the positions (national interests) of their assigned countries and engage in more practical policy discussions.

As Africa's international importance continues to grow, the Model African Union Japan Conference focuses on the 'power of youth' to create inclusive and sustainable solutions to common global challenges. By promoting mutual understanding and student exchanges, it nurtures a new generation of global leaders who will deepen ties and exchanges between Japan and Africa.

About the Model African Union (MAU):
It is a youth-led diplomatic simulation platform. It aims to deepen understanding of African development priorities and strengthen Japan-Africa cooperation through dialogue, policy engagement, and intercultural exchange.

About the African Union (AU):
The African Union is one of the largest regional organizations in the world, comprising 55 member states and regions in Africa. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, its objectives include achieving political and economic integration of Africa and preventing and resolving conflicts.

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
UNDP is the leading United Nations agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, it helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. For more information, visit undp.org or @UNDP.