The WUACD International Community Development Program at Kamikatsu, Japan, “Kamikatsu Experience: A Road to Zero-Waste Future,” was organized by Universitas Airlangga under the auspices of the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD). This program was an international experiential learning initiative conducted in Kamikatsu, Japan, a small town known for its zero-waste program. This initiative aimed to connect theory and practice in sustainability through international academic and community engagement.

Kamikatsu has declared its zero waste goal in 2003, which has become a model of environmental responsibility. The town has a 45-category waste separation system and deep-rooted community participation, offering a real-world teaching experience for students. They explored the iconic Zero Waste Center, engaged in workshops with local leaders, and witnessed firsthand the efforts of residents, especially the elderly, in making sustainability a way of life.

Beyond waste management, the students discovered Kamikatsu’s unique Irodori business which sells decorative leaves for high-end culinary presentation which driven by elderly farmers. This business helped boost the local economy and provided older residents with an opportunity to earn money while learning how to utilize digital tools and manage a small business.

Following the first part of the program, the second part of the program continued in Tokushima City, where students collaborated with Tokushima University and conducted field research in several cities across the prefecture. Through interviews, surveys, and site visits, they explored how sustainability concepts, such as Kamikatsu’s, are adapted in broader urban contexts. Their findings were then presented in academic sessions, fostering dialogue between Indonesian and Japanese perspectives.

This program focused on global goals such as SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Kamikatsu is renowned for its zero-waste policy, where residents categorize waste into 45 distinct categories. During their participation in the program, students visited the Zero Waste Center and learned how the community works together to reduce waste, reuse items, and recycle them. It showed that sustainable habits start at home. This also supports SDG 13: Climate Action by avoiding the burning or dumping of waste, which can lower carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Next, through the Irodori decorative leaf business, students discovered how Kamikatsu promotes SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Many elderly residents earn an income by selling leaves used in high-end cuisine, which is a great example of turning natural resources into creative businesses.

Lastly, the program has addressed SDG 15: Life on Land by managing waste properly and utilizing natural resources wisely. Students can learn how small villages can make a big difference in caring for the Earth.

Throughout the eight-day program, the students gained more than academic insights they learn outside classes. They also developed intercultural awareness, strengthened their fieldwork skills, and witnessed the power of community innovation. Despite challenges like language barriers and limited time for research, the experience proved invaluable, encouraging deeper reflection on environmental responsibility and the role of youth in sustainable development. It showed that real progress towards the SDGs can begin in the smallest communities, where tradition meets innovation, and when students step outside the classroom to learn from the real world.