On November 30th, Musashi University hosted their “SDGs 17 Partnership Fair 2023”. This event was inspired by “Partnership for the Goals”, the 17th of the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. As such, non-profit organizations engaged in various activities to achieve the SDGs, were invited to gather.
VegeProject Japan also held a booth at this event. We highlighted the relationship between vegetarianism, veganism, and the SDGs. We also showcased our “VegeProject University,” which assists Japanese university cafeterias in introducing vegan options to their menus.
Since 2019, Associate Professor Brian Masshardt of Musashi University’s International Studies Center has hosted the “SDG 17 Partnership Fair” in collaboration with Deakin University of Victoria, Australia. We have been invited in previous years as well, in recognition of our work towards SDGs.
This year saw the participation of 13 organizations involved with issues such as food security, environmental destruction, poverty, and educational disparities. This included Amnesty International Japan and Greenpeace Japan. Students of various nationalities and backgrounds attended.
The event venue
Each booth displayed posters of the SDGs that organization aims to achieve.
Plant-based foods are considered relevant to food security issues because they can be produced using generally fewer resources (such as land, water or oil) than animal-derived foods. Additionally, they are known to emit fewer greenhouse gases. Furthermore, scientific studies show that a vegetarian/vegan diet can help prevent major causes of death like heart disease and high blood pressure. As VegeProject Japan is dedicated to expanding vegan and vegetarian options, we featured six SDGs posters at our booth, including “Zero Hunger,” “Climate Action,” and “Good Health and Well-Being”.
Our booth
At our booth we discussed veganism’s contribution to SDGs and showcased “VegeProject University“. Additionally, we offered a raffle to visitors who answered our survey. Participants could win one of the following four products, all of which have VegeProject Japan has certified as vegan:
・KAGOME’s Plant Based Curry Series (Japanese Only)
・Intercube’s “Unique to Soy” Series Soups and Risotto (Japanese Only)
・Saniku Foods’ Plant Based White Sauce (Japanese Only)
・Rohto Pharmaceutical’s Organic Beans Soup (Dalura) (Japanese Only)
Raffle for vegan certified products
Through this event, we met many Musashi University students interested in plant-based food and “VegeProject University”. We were also able to connect with organizations in different fields. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to illuminate the relationship between plant-based food and the SDGs.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Associate Professor Brian Masshardt, all supporting staff, the companies who donated their products to the raffle, and everyone who visited our booth.