2026年を迎え、次なるRSIC参加者への架け橋となるよう、RSIC2025の学校代表生徒４名のEssayを４回にわたり掲載します。
Round Square International Conference 2025 in Dubai: A Second Perspective (2-8 Y.M.)
From Colombia to Dubai: A Second Global Challenge
The Round Square International Conference 2025, held in Dubai, has come to an end. Unlike the conference in 2024, this year’s program reflected the character of one of the most developed countries in the world. In fact, I also participated in the 2024 conference, which took place in Colombia. I experienced many new things and faced various kinds of challenges. One of the biggest features of the Round Square Conference is where students around our age from all around the world gather in a single country to discuss global problems and explore them through the Round Square IDEALS. This may seem simple, but having such an opportunity as a high school student is extremely rare. This is because we are able to meet people who have different perspectives from their diverse backgrounds and discuss topics that don't even have clear solutions.
Experiencing the Elements: Dubai’s Unique Environment
Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is known for its advanced technology and luxurious features, and I was strongly interested to see how such a highly developed environment would shape the conference program compared to previous hosts. In other words, I was wondering how these differences would influence the program while still maintaining the main IDEALS of Round Square. As soon as I stepped out of Dubai International Airport, I was hit by an intense wave of heat and humidity which felt completely different from Japan. I had always thought that Japan’s humidity was quite unique, but Dubai had its own kind which was much stronger, heavier, and almost overwhelming. It was the hottest place I had ever visited, and the air outside felt like being inside a sauna all day long. Due to this intense heat, almost every building had the air conditioning turned up to the maximum, which was also a bit too much for me.
Modern Wonders: Architecture without Earthquakes
What surprised me even more was that Dubai wasn’t filled with skyscrapers everywhere. Instead, the city seemed to be divided into several groups of buildings, connected by massive highways, with deserts stretching between them. However, once we entered one of these areas, enormous shopping malls, stunning landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame, and countless buildings that we would never see in Japan suddenly appeared before us. I heard from local people that, because of the country’s geographical conditions, earthquakes are extremely rare there, which allows Dubai to build structures in ways that are completely different from Japan.
Hospitality and the Extremes of Local Cuisine
Another thing that impressed me was the people in Dubai. Everyone was very kind, and whenever I asked for help, they responded politely and explained things very clearly. As for food, many dishes were spicy, which I first thought would make the heat even harder to endure, but surprisingly it actually made me feel better. The spicy foods were extremely spicy, while the sweet foods were extremely sweet. I am not very good with spicy foods, but I enjoyed experiencing their traditional cuisine that uses a wide variety of spices. One thing which was similar to Japan is that they also eat rice, although bread was another common staple in their meals too.
Educational Journey: Climate Fresk and Global Responsibility
The activities and programs at the conference were also excellent. The performances by the hosting schools were especially impressive because each one delivered a unique message, combining both traditional and modern elements, which made them both enjoyable and educational. During the activities, we explored Dubai and learned about the global problems we are currently facing. One program, called the Climate Fresk, where we used cards to analyze the cause and effect of such global problems is still in my mind. It was an extremely educational program, and I realized that many of the problems we experience are actually caused by ourselves—in other words, we are harming our own environment.
Rediscovering IDEALS: Bridging Diverse Perspectives
The keynote speakers influenced me a lot as well. Even though their speeches were shorter than those at last year’s conference, each one clearly expressed a strong and meaningful message to us. Unlike the previous conference, many speakers focused on the goals we must pursue and the responsibilities we have for shaping our future. For this year’s conference, I felt that we returned to the original idea of the Round Square IDEALS. Although discussing issues specific to the host country is important, the main theme this year was thinking globally with students from different nations. I realized once again that the most powerful part of the conference is having the chance to discuss global issues with people from all around the world and to understand how different perspectives lead to different solutions. Climate change, religion, diversity, SDGs, the UN, and many other worldwide topics were discussed throughout the program. As a high school student from Japan, I sometimes felt confident that I already knew the best solutions for these issues, but through the discussions, I learned that people from other countries have unique experiences and viewpoints that must be shared in order to reach meaningful solutions.
Human Connections: Breaking Down Barriers
One especially memorable moment was the keynote speaker who talked about discrimination against people with disabilities. By hearing their stories directly, I learned that discrimination will not truly end if society continues to treat people with disabilities as a separate group. They are the same human beings just like us, and instead of constantly debating how to support them, we should connect with them naturally as equals and offer help when it is genuinely needed (Discussing this topic is also nonsense). Through this conference, I also discovered that even if people came from different countries, they are still high school students just like me. While we think differently in some ways, our identity and experiences as teenagers are very similar. Since this was my second time attending the conference, Conversation wasn't challenging for me. In addition, I was able to view the conference as a whole and discuss topics from a wider perspective.
Responsibility of Representation and Future Advice
Lastly, by joining the conference, I realized that I need to gain a deeper understanding of global issues and develop a wider perspective. Everyone has their own opinions, and combining them into a single solution is always challenging. However, by analyzing different ideas with an open and broader view point, I believe that we can create better solutions in the end. To those who are thinking about joining this conference in the future, I highly recommend it. It will be a truly memorable experience and a valuable challenge. Even if you feel unsure about your abilities, I encourage you to try. There will be meetings and selections beforehand, and you might not be chosen but even that is an experience that will help you grow.
Still, I do not mean that you should apply easily. Once you are selected, you represent the school. You must participate seriously in discussions and prepare for the cultural performances. In other words, you need to put effort into it and sometimes prioritize the event over others, such as the school festival. Also, participating in this conference does cost a lot, so never forget to appreciate the people who support you. Sorry if this advice sounds serious, but I truly believe this experience can change your life. Fun moments, difficult moments, and every challenge you face will make you stronger.
Thanks for reading.
