◆Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: The Legislation Process, Outcomes, and Prospects◆
【Host】 Studies on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
【Co-host】 Institute of Comparative Law, Waseda University
【Date and Time】 October 10, 2025 (Fri) 15:00-16:50
【Venue】 Large Meeting Roome, 3rd Floor, 8th Building, Waseda Campus
【Lecturer】 Jane Davidson (Former Member of the National Assembly for Wales)
【Q and A Participant】Derek Walker
【Language】 English
*Interpretation is NOT available
【Caretaker】 Tamio Nakamura (Research Staff, Institute of Comparative Law, Professor, Waseda University)
Everyone is welcome to attend free of charge.
【Abstract】—————————————————————————————-
This public lecture candidly addresses young people’s questions.
Everyone now feels extreme weather is a product of climate change. The “sustainability” of everything in society is being questioned.
In Wales, UK, the “Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015” was adopted before the adoption of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the United Nations. This created a legal framework to make Wales sustainable for future generations.
The 2015 Act mandates that all Welsh Government bodies consider the interests of future generations when formulating and implementing current policies. It also established an independent “Future Generations Commissioner” to oversee this. In this way, Wales pioneered a system worldwide to protect the interests of future generations through law and institutions.
This public lecture features Jane Davidson, the architect of this globally groundbreaking legislation. Furthermore, Derek Walker, the current Future Generations Commissioner, will participate in the Q&A session. Such an exceptional opportunity will not come again.
Furthermore, this September saw the publication of Jane Davidson’s book, Mirai no tame ni Kyo Koudou suru― Wales hatsu ‘Mirai Sedai no tame no Wellbeing Ho’ ga Dekiru made（#futuregen-Lessons from a Small Country） (Akashi Shoten, 2025), which details her struggles leading up to the 2015 Act. This work is directly relevant to this public lecture.
Today, many young people are concerned about the “sustainability” of our society, economy, culture, and nature. These are issues that matter to everyone. Join the lecture and actively ask your questions and express your concerns.
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＝＝＝Lecture Programme (*Japanese) ＝＝＝
【Programme】
15:00 (5 min): Opening Remarks
Tamio Nakmura (Professor, Waseda University; Representative of the Studies on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom)
15:05 – 15:35 (30 min): Keynote Speech
Jane Davidson (Former Member of the National Assembly for Wales)
15:35 – 15:50 (15 min): Comment
Jane Davidson
15:50 – 16:05 (15 min): Derek Walker
16:05 – :Q and A Session
Link to Japanese page
