The Living on the Edge conference series was founded in 2019 on the idea that the nail that sticks out can empower positive change. After years of working with young Japanese students, I heard the same message repeatedly, “I’m different. I can’t imagine my way forward because I know no one else who is different like me.” The goal of the first conference was to deliver role models to those young people. Since then, the conference has sought to bring together people willing to share their stories of diversity and raise awareness of the joys and challenges of being different in Japan. We wanted to open frank dialogues and give spaces for people to candidly discuss the experiences of standing out, of being multiracial, having learning differences, physical differences, being LGBTQ+, choosing different paths; stories of advocacy, prejudice, progress and change. We wanted to create a space forgiving enough to ask the questions that are hard to ask in other situations. Above all, the goal has always been to leave others with hope. Not just to share struggles and find comfort in shared pain but also to make connections, share inspirational stories, give takeaways, inspire action, reclaim joy, and move forward. Since 2019, we have come together for: Stories that Connect Us 2021, Finding Home 2022 and this year we welcome you back for Coming Together 2023.
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