Catalyst Now Summit 2025: WFWP International Co-sponsors Global Gathering of Innovators in Fukuoka — Women's Federation For World Peace International

The Catalyst Now Summit 2025 was successfully held in Fukuoka, Japan, on October 9-10, 2025, with the theme “Accelerating Social Innovation with Leading Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators from the Asia-Pacific Region.”

Launched in 2019, the Catalyst Now movement has grown into a global network of more than 6,000 social innovators and over 100 collaborations across 150 countries, all committed to driving systems change through radical collaboration.

This year’s summit, co-sponsored by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), gathered 40 outstanding social innovators and changemakers from across the region, together with leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society. The goal of the summit was to move beyond isolated efforts and build collective, cross-border impact for sustainable change.

Representing WFWPI, President Moriko Hori and Administrator Mion Tsuchiaka, along with ten members of WFWP Japan, actively joined the sessions, contributing to dialogues on women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, and systems transformation.

Unlike a typical conference, the Catalyst Now Summit was designed as an action-oriented platform, combining high-level discussions, hands-on workshops, and solution pitches.

Hori led the Co-Creation Sprint Workshop, guiding participants through a dynamic, collaborative process of identifying social challenges, mapping leverage points, and designing innovative, practical solutions. This “Future-Shaping Sprint — Co-Design Tomorrow” session introduced the Collaborative Solutions Lab methodology, encouraging participants to co-create ideas across sectors and develop pathways for real-world implementation.

The outcomes from these workshops will continue to grow through the Catalyst Now Collaborative Solutions Lab, transforming ideas from the summit into concrete projects for social transformation.

An Evening Networking Cocktail held at the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka gave participants a relaxed atmosphere to connect, exchange ideas, and explore possibilities for future collaboration. The informal gathering strengthened relationships and inspired renewed commitment to joint action.

On October 10, WFWPI hosted a special session titled “Women’s Empowerment and Social Stability.” Distinguished speakers included Mitsui-Sumitomo Insurance Welfare Foundation and former member of the House of Representatives in Japan Hiroko Oizumi, professor of Osaka University of Commerce Prof. Koji Nakatsu, and WFWPI President Moriko Hori.

The panel emphasized that women’s leadership and gender equality are fundamental to building peaceful, resilient societies and fostering trust-based collaboration across all sectors.

WFWPI and Catalyst Now are building bridges of peace and innovation, transforming challenges into opportunities for global well-being by engaging more youth, women, and community innovators across the Asia-Pacific region.