Millennium Fellowship Global Webinar with Rena Kawasaki

On Friday, September 27th at 9.00 am EDT, we hear from Rena Kawasaki. Rena, Born in Osaka Prefecture in 2005, Rena has been involved in self-facilitated human rights action since 9 years old, focusing on issues of education and the lack of youth participation in politics. Rena is passionate about political representation and molding societal and political systems that do not discriminate against minorities. 

In 2020, at the age of 14, she joined Earth Guardians Japan as Regional Director, and the same year was the youngest ever appointed Chief Future Officer of Euglena, a biotech company addressing environmental problems, a post she held until June 2022. 

In 2022, Rena was a global Rise winner, and for her Rise project, she hosted discussion events that brought together high school students and their local political representatives as a means of effectively reducing negative perceptions that youth in her country have towards politics and politicians. She also developed a digital community called “Polichat” that  allows youth to ask questions directly and frankly to politicians. This digital platform provides access to college student mentors on how to effectively prepare to vote and be politically conscious.

She was selected as the 18th International Children’s Peace Prize winner  awarded by Netherlands-based international children’s aid and advocacy organization KidsRights Foundation. Rena is currently studying at Yale.