The Green Game-Changer and Harmony Harbinger
Imagine a lighthouse standing tall on the shores, guiding ships safely through turbulent waters with its unwavering beam. Prof. YOKOI Atsufumi FRSA embodies this lighthouse in the world of academia. As Vice President (Global Engagement) and UNESCO Chair in Research and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at Okayama University, he illuminates the path toward a sustainable future. His journey is a testament to the power of education, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of global betterment.
Crafting a New Global Narrative
Prof. Yokoi is redefining the role of universities globally. His work at Okayama University involves enhancing international visibility and promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Universities must become engines of transformative sustainability toward pursuing the wellbeing of humanity and the Planet beyond growth,” he passionately asserts. His vision? Forge a new narrative that prioritizes human and planetary wellbeing.
Overcoming Academic Challenges
The academic path in Japan is traditionally rigid and policy-driven, but Prof. Yokoi faced these challenges head-on. He leveraged the status of Okayama region and Okayama University as a global center of expertise in ESD to strengthen direct collaboration between the UN and the university, thereby boosting its global presence. “Since Okayama region and Okayama University is one of the world’s oldest Regional Centres of Expertise for ESD approved by United Nations University… it became opportune to boost its global positioning and reputation with the adoption of the SDGs in 2015,” he explains. Despite the traditionally cognitive and policy-driven ranking system in Japanese academia, Yokoi navigated these challenges to reposition Okayama University on the global stage. And the results have been so successful that Okayama University was awarded a special prize by the Japanese government’s “First Japan SDGs Award” in 2017.
Driven by Passion and Purpose
Prof. Yokoi’s drive comes from his belief in “cooperation over competition” and the necessity of intergenerational solidarity. He appeals last hope for a “planetary society” and the concept of “homo-symbiosis,” where humanity and the planet coexist harmoniously. He quotes Einstein emphasizing that , “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,” underscoring the need for new perspectives and collective intelligence.
A Unique Perspective on Leadership
Leadership, according to Prof. Yokoi, combines humility with a relentless will to achieve long-term sustainability. Inspired by Jim Collins’ “Level 5 leadership,” he blends personal humility with professional determination. “Level 5 leaders possess a unique blend of personal humility and professional will,” he notes. For him, true leadership empowers others and fosters sustainable growth.
Inspiration from a Legacy
Prof. Yokoi’s leadership is deeply influenced by his late father, Akira Yokoi, a former Executive Vice President at Toyota. Reflecting on his father’s legacy, he says, “My father’s life blended ‘personal humility’ and ‘professional will.’ I firmly believe that this combination positively affects many people and societies well beyond the business world.” Akira Yokoi’s work on the “Kijan Project” in Indonesia showcased how societal values could be interwoven with economic development, leaving a lasting impact on Prof. Yokoi.
Personal Pursuits and Balance
Away from his professional duties, Prof. Yokoi enjoys jogging in a green sports park overlooking the Seto Inland Sea in Okayama, known as ‘the land of Sunshine’. “It is the time when I can feel the importance of living in harmony with the planet of the Earth the most,” he shares. This routine highlights his commitment to sustainability and personal wellbeing.
Strengths and Learnings
Prof. Yokoi’s strengths include strategic thinking, design thinking, and emotional intelligence. He excels in combining existing elements creatively, akin to a chef crafting a perfect dish. “I am not good at creating new ingredients, but like a chef, I am good at combining and spicing up ingredients to suit the person or organization to whom I am serving the best food,” he admits. His unique combination of strategic thinking, design thinking, and emotional intelligence enables him to foster a culture of sustainable personal growth.
Notable Achievements and Recognitions
Prof. Yokoi’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including:
May 2024: Selected as one of the 20 world’s most active UNESCO Chairs, co-constructing a future UNESCO program, Paris, France.
Feb 2024: Education 2.0-Outstanding Leadership Award, Education 2.0 Conference, Dubai, UAE.
Jun 2023: Officier de l’Ordre de l’Encouragement Public, recognized by the French government, Paris, France.
May 2022: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), London, U.K.
Feb 2022: President’s Award for Excellence in Education (Grand Prize), Okayama University, Japan.
Dec 2020: Certificate of Recognition, Earth Charter International, UPEACE, Costa Rica.
His joint initiatives with the United Nations, particularly the Young Female Scientist Programme, have received international recognition for promoting gender equality in STEM fields. Okayama University is the first higher education institution around the world to sign a MoU with UNCTAD to address the gender gap in science, technology, and innovation (STI) for SDGs and to empower and accelerate women’s participation in the STI fields from ASEAN and African countries.
A Message to the Future
Prof. Yokoi leaves us with a powerful message quoting UNESCO: “Learning to be; Learning to know; Learning to do; Learning to live together; Learning to transform oneself and society.” He emphasizes that education is the cornerstone of sustainability and calls for a shift in mindset to ensure the wellbeing of humanity and the planet. “First of all, transform yourself before transforming this world,” he advises.