Cross-Cultural Currents: A Collaborative Summit at Ryukoku University, Kyoto
June 22, 2025
A collaborative summit was hosted at Ryokoku University in Kyoto where participants from different sectors gathered to showcase and debate strategies on sustainability, regional revitalization, and international collaboration. These comprised participants from Tangonian, ROOTS (Keihoku), students and teachers of Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec, Nathan Taliercio, THE BLUE CAMP, and Ryukoku University.
Each organization gave structured presentations in the morning session, which was telling of their approach towards integrating local wisdom with global concerns. It facilitated substantive interactions between Japanese and French participants on sustainability issues and cultural exchange.
Tangonian’s Coastal Experience
With an outline of his organization and his partnership with the Guilvinec Marine High School with Roots, Tangonian’s representative Keiji Nagase started the summit with a broad overview of the Coastal Experience. The focus was the students’ immersion into culture and nature during the initial stage of the week-long tour in the Tango region.
The presentation showcased how students interacted with Kyotango’s culture, including the famous Tango chirimen silk crepe and fishing traditions. We have had students in the workshops with local artisans and fishermen gaining insights into their livelihoods, as well as their cultural traditions.
The focus was placed on how the French students were taught with respect to the geography of the area, the sea, and the country’s deep-rooted nautical history. The presentation concentrated on the appreciation of craftspersons who taught students modern challenges of safeguarding traditional customs and industries.
ROOTS’ Mountain Exploration
Toward the end of the tour, the students from Guilvinec were presented with two other speakers, Feilang Tseng and Kei Nakayama, who represented ROOTS and discussed their experiences in the mountainous areas of Miyama and Keihoku. These were more focused on the application of Japan’s Satoyama concept for nature-oriented education which is rooted in nurturing the countryside. The presentations contained materials about other students learning the village forests and about craftsmanship along with its cultural importance.
Then, Roots described their other company activities as the learning program with students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In this week-long activity, Hong Kong students collaborate with local lumberjacks and carpenters to convert typhoon-damaged trees into lumber suitable for treehouse construction. The program culminates in students pitching their concepts for community revitalization directly to residents, with plans for subsequent phases where additional cohorts will construct more treehouses and tackle other challenges facing the region.
Guilvinec Marine High School Perspective
Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec’s Perspective Representatives discussed the school’s specialization as well as the students’ thoughts about their trip to Japan. Their presentation highlighted the school’s vocational training courses related to maritime fishing, navigation, and marine biology.
Students shared their observations about Japanese culture, customs, and daily life, comparing their hometown of Guilvinec to the coastal towns in Kyotango that they had visited. They examined the parallels between the two regions in regard to the fishing industry, local customs, community life, and traditions. They expressed their appreciation for having traveled and educated themselves about the world and, in turn, gained a new perspective on their hometown, and the cultural traditions of conservation.
Professional Experience: Nathan Taliercio’s International Career
Through the VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) program, Nathan Taliercio transitioned from his previous role at North Atlantic Pacific Seafood to his current position with CIPA (Groupe Bigard) in Tokyo.
His presentation highlighted the practical components of international business interactions concerning seafood. He covered his prior role at NAPS, detailing his focus in seafood sales, international trade activities, and the specific project he led at the firm.
He described how this experience equipped him with the skills for his current roles with CIPA. These include conducting market research on Japan, developing business strategies, and managing client interactions. Nathan’s presentation discussed the Japanese business culture and workplace practices, as well as the unique challenges of importing European food products into Japan.
Ocean Conservation: THE BLUE CAMP’s Educational Mission
THE BLUE CAMP showcased their unique approach for dealing with ocean sustainability and seafood awareness for the younger public. Their multi-month immersive program integrates online lectures from specialists, fieldwork at ports and processing facilities, and cooking instruction from esteemed chefs.
The presentation focused on their initiative “Chefs for the Blue,” in which mentor chefs prepare students to design pop-up restaurants for educational purposes. These makeshift restaurants enable students to raise consumer awareness while demonstrating sustainable seafood preparation.
THE BLUE CAMP’s methods integrate the consumption and the origin of seafood in a way that is unforgettable, motivating personal action alongside collective social consciousness. Their program aspires to shape advocates and leaders for ocean sustainability in the future.
Ryukoku University
Ryukoku University Ryukoku University rounded off the presentations by outlining their history and academic profile. Established in 1639, the university has always been dedicated to social contribution and regional revitalization grounded on Buddhist sociological principles.
The presentation described the campus and the faculties and graduate schools offering Literature, Economics, Business Administration, Law, Advanced Science and Technology, Sociology, International Studies, Policy Science, and Agriculture. Their academic architecture is designed to foster interdisciplinary engagement dovetailed with community service and collaboration beyond the country.
Collaborative Dialogue and Reflection
The participants were noticeably active throughout the presentations, which featured inquiry and exchange of ideas, and seemed to converge towards a few key aspects. The conversations during each presentation underscored the importance of collaboration for addressing sustainability challenges and highlighted appreciation for cross-cultural interactions. The gathering at Ryukoku University illustrated the possibilities of multi-sectoral collaboration, creating a model for international cooperation that combines local wisdom with global challenges.
Writer: Mathieu Fonseca
Thanks to: ROOTS, Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec, Mrs. Hayakawa (coordinator and interpreter)
Special thanks to sponsors: Fondation franco-japonaise Sasakawa (日仏笹川財団), la caisse des péris en mer, Hénaff, Penmarch city, Loctudy city
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