In this episode, we discussed with Minoru Okusa from NABIDO, a social cooperative that has supported socially withdrawn youths, commonly known as hikikomori for over 13 years, to explore the issue of youth isolation in modern society. He points out that young people withdrawing from society are not simply lazy; rather, they are burned out from perfectionism and the overwhelming pressure to meet expectations. To address this, he advises parents to stop trying to force change and instead leave their children as they are (NABIDO in Korean) which means let me alone, emphasizing that genuine recovery begins when parents acknowledge their own flaws. He also highlights that isolation stems not just from individual psychological factors, but from structural issues like meritocracy, an unstable job market, and a factory-like school system that fuels intense competition. Finally, noting how conversational AI has emerged as a helpful and compassionate tool for counseling, he adds that the ultimate goal of support is not merely getting young people out of their rooms, but helping them reach complete self-acceptance.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Adam Lang. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or Audible. You may also follow @c4cpodcast.bsky.social on Bluesky. The Conversations4Citizenship Podcast has launched Crossings, a new project website featuring research and educational resources on citizenship and human rights education, while creating opportunities for greater interaction with our listeners. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our episodes, and we invite you to explore our new membership programme, launching this November! Sign up on the Crossings website below to explore a wider range of resources and podcast episodes.

We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the engagement menu of Crossings or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

If you are curious about Socially Withdrawn youths or Hikikomori and Mr. Minoru Ohkusa, please read his works linked below.

• Qinmin, Jiang. (Director). (2025). JUN AI | The Power of Silence│A Story of Reconciliation [Film]. YouTube.
• Family Transformation Roadmap [In Korean]
• Navido homepage : https://www.navido.kr/ [In Korean]

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This episode of Conversations4Citizenship examined from multiple angles the serious educational and social crisis behind the "Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)" movement led by Indian Gen Z. Having lost deep trust in the system due to incidents such as the NEET medical entrance exam paper leaks, Indian youth transformed the insulting label thrown at them into a proactive symbol for non-violent digital solidarity and the restoration of lost dignity. Dr. Rita Shome pointed out that this desperate cry from the youth should not be reduced to a mere political protest, but rather embraced as powerful feedback directed at society and educational institutions. In particular, it was deeply resonant to emphasize going beyond a culture that evaluates an individual student's worth solely based on grades and certificates, and instead actively fostering "capability-centered learners" who can confront injustice non-violently and communicate healthily with others. Furthermore, it was a valuable conversation that made us realize once again how urgent the task is today to practice cyber ethics within social media spaces and cultivate responsible digital citizens.

Contact Conversations4citizenship

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How should universities respond to a crisis they helped to create? In this episode of Conversations4Citizenship, Dr Kamille Beye and Dr Stella Cheong are joined by Professor Tristan McCowan of UCL, author of Universities and Climate Action, for a wide-ranging conversation on higher education and climate justice. Beginning with the historical complicity of universities in ecological breakdown, the discussion moves through their projective, expressive, and constructive roles, the nature of climate change as a wicked problem, and the uneven burdens borne by communities least responsible for the crisis. From there, the conversation turns to interdisciplinary collaboration, the tension between green workforce demands and higher education as a public good, and the challenge of engaging climate denial in everyday life. It closes with inspiring examples from Fiji, Tanzania, and Brazil, and a call to shape the post-2030 agenda together. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and join the global conversation.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Kamille Beye. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or Audible. You may also follow @c4cpodcast.bsky.social on Bluesky. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

If you are curious about Climate Crisis and the Role of University check out his new book, 'Universities and Climate Action' and read his works linked below.

• McCowan. T. (2025).Universities and Climate Action. UCL Press.
• Mccowan, T., & Buckner, E. (2025). Critical Perspectives on Universities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Comparative Education Review, 69(4), 697-702.
• Buckner, E., McCowan, T., Faul, M. V., Welply, O., Jiménez, J., & Denton, F. (2025). Charting the path after 2030: what should higher education’s role be in the future of the sustainable development agenda?. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 1-20.
• Centre for Global Higher Education

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Submit your work us at Crossings : https://www.bridgecitizen.org/
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Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change.
Join Crossings and help us advance citizenship and human rights education worldwide.