Loneliness and social isolation are universal social issues that can affect everyone. As an effect of demographic developments and the digital transformation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of loneliness as a social challenge is strongly present in Japan and Germany. The governments of both countries have initiated countermeasures and signed a "Joint Statement on Loneliness and Social Isolation" in June 2023 and agreed on a closer exchange of information.  

On this basis, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Japan, and the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) are organizing an online symposium "Policy and Practice against Loneliness and Social Isolation. German and Japanese perspectives."

Japanese and German experts from academia and practice will discuss the results of research as well as the offers and effects of specific projects for various target groups.

Language: German and Japanese with simultaneous interpretation and sign language interpretation.  

The symposium will take place on Zoom. For further Information please refer to the German or Japanese page.