Record of Our Activities

Japan・China・Korea Youth Cultural Festival

投稿日時 : 2017/08/03  sgh1 

From August 3rd to 7th, four students from the third-year SG course participated in this event held in Tokyo.  The theme of the conference was “Sustainable City & Community”.  High school students from Japan, China and Korea participated and had discussions in English.

[the participants’ comments]
＊There were times when I was not able to express myself in English.  However, when I was able to, it gave me a lot of confidence. 
＊Before joining this program, I assumed the high school students from China and Korea had some kind of hatred toward Japanese, but I found out that this assumption was not true as I had conversations with them.

SGH Final Presentation by the Third Year Students

投稿日時 : 2017/07/14  sgh1 
On July 14th, the third year students of the SGH course had their final presentation.  They have worked on their project for more than a year and a half and they did their final presentation in front of teacher around the country and foreign guests.  Professor Shigeru Matsumoto of Rikkyo University and foreign exchange students from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Kanazawa University were invited to the sessions.  The people who watched and listened to the presentation gave positive comments like: “The students looked very confident when they were answering questions during the Q&A sessions”, “Most of the research consisted factors from the SDGs and were amazing”.
  
【Comments from students】
・It was our first time working and doing research on the same theme for more than a year and half.  There were tough times, but we came to realize each other’s characteristics and started to respect each other.  We were able to experience things, which were impossible if we worked on it by ourseleves.
・At first, I had difficulty explaining things in English.  There were even times when I had difficulties explaining things in Japanese.  However, now that I have finished giving the presentation for my research, I can say this with confidence.  “If the listeners feel that you are trying hard to get the message across, they will try hard to understand you.  So don’t give up.”

SGH Empowerment Program for the Second Year Students

投稿日時 : 2017/07/14  sgh1 
On July 14th, after the presentations by the third year students, the second year SG course students had an empowerment program where they explained and asked for advice from the foreign guests on the project they are working on.  This session was done in English. 
 
【Comments from students】
   ・I was able to get my message across to the foreign guests.  I will like to improve my English skills so that in the future, I can ask and answer questions smoothly in English.
   ・The foreign guests listened to our presentation and asked many questions.  We are grateful for their questions and advice.  We were also inspired by the way the guests were actively asking questions.

Omotenashi: How to Welcome People Lecture

投稿日時 : 2017/06/28  izumisgh 
 “Omotenahi: How to Welcome People” Lecture was held for the second-year students in the SG course on June 28th.  They worked on this event as a part of “Omotenashi” Lecture in High School given by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education.  They learned “Omotenashi mind,” which means how they should be considerate of others and the importance of cooperating with people in the community so that they will be able to work for the society harmoniously.
The students in the SG course are going to make a sightseeing plan in Kanazawa, because they are going to welcome international students from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, who are invited for their presentation in July.
They met with Mr. Senda from Nippon Travel Agency and Ms. Nakai, an interpretation guide, and the two lecturers told them about the change in demand after the arrival of the Hokuriku Sinkansen in Kanazawa, and necessary preparation and tips for guiding foreign tourists.  After the lecture, the students did presentations about their sightseeing plans, in English, and received advice from the lecturers.  The students will consider details about their plans and prepare for guiding foreign tourists.

[the participants’ comments]
＊I thought it was important to think of others when I made my plan.  It can’t be a good plan if I force my opinions on a person.  It was difficult to plan within a limited time frame, but I enjoyed working with my friends.
＊Today I have a clearer understanding of what “omotenashi” means.  I was moved to know that there are differences in feelings about Japan between Japanese people and foreigners.  I would like to try hard to help them enjoy Japan. 

Hokuriku Shinkansen Summit at Ueda High School

投稿日時 : 2017/06/17  izumisgh 
 On June 17th, nine students joined the “Hokuriku Shinkansen Summit” hosted by Ueda High School in Nagano prefecture.  12 high schools located along the Hokuriku Shinkansen gathered at this meeting.
First, Tomoki Nitta from JICA Hokuriku branch and Fuki Horiuchi from Saku University gave a short lecture.  Then, panel discussions were held, and each high school made presentations, followed by questions and answers.  Later, the participating students ate lunch together at the Ueda Park. 
Students who joined the Summit had meaningful discussions and precious experiences.  They would like to have the opportunity to interact with other Super Global High schools in the future.

[the participants’ comments]
＊I was surprised at the high presentation skills of other high school students.  Most students started their presentation with an inquiry or simple conversation, so a lot of listeners were interested in their presentation.  They also communicated with listeners well.  They were very friendly so we had a good discussion during lunch time.  I wanted to ask them for more advice.  We had a very meaningful experience.
＊Students from other prefectures had broad knowledge about various things, so we had deep discussions.  To my surprise, there were some people who didn’t know about peace education, and there were students of the same age who are trying to do volunteer work in foreign countries.  At first, I was very nervous but eventually I could enjoy listening to presentations and making discussions.  We were supported by a lot of people and owe a lot of thanks to them.

Visit to Kyoto University Graduate School

投稿日時 : 2017/06/17  izumisgh 
 On June 17th, second-year SG course students visited the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, “Shishu-kan”.
The purpose of this training was to ask graduates for some advice about how to set a research theme and plan, and to learn about what a global leader or researcher is like by communicating with their future role models.
After listening to opening remarks from Prof. Oshima and graduates’ introduction of their own research, the students started to give their presentations one by one.  Graduate students gave them some advice.  The students were very nervous at first, but gradually the discussions became lively.
   This training was a good chance for students not only to get useful advice but also to know the essence of research.  

[the participants’ comments]
＊I understood how to go about our research by visiting Syuugakukan.  Before this visit, we chose only one point of view and we were not able to set up various hypothesis.  However, through this experience, we now have various viewpoints.
＊Before listening to the lecture, I could hardly explain what research was.  Now, I seem to have found that creativity and newness are important in doing research.  I was glad that the graduates tried warmly and earnestly to give us advice.  I want to exchange my opinions positively from now on.

JICA Special Lecture

投稿日時 : 2017/06/12  izumisgh 
♢JICA Special Lecture
 On June 12th, second-year and third-year SG course students and third-year students in humanities course listened to a special lecture whose title was ‘Learn from The Most Unique and Happiest Country, Bhutan.’  It was given by Tomoki Nitta from JICA Hokuriku branch.  He wore a traditional costume from Bhutan, and he spoke about stories when living in Bhutan and policies on improving GNH (Gross National Happiness).

Third-year students in literary classes are going to work on making essays about what they learned from his lecture for JICA essay contest.

[the participants’ comments]
＊I believed there was no democratization without blood.  However, I was so surprised that such a situation occurred in Bhutan.  I thought Bhutan was such a nice country, because Bhutan seriously thinks about the happiness of its citizens, compared with Japan.  Japan has a lot of suicides, although Japan is rich in money.  Also, I think it is kind of people in Bhutan to donate to poor countries even though Bhutan is also poor.  I will never forget their warmness.

＊Today, I learned a lot of things about Bhutan, and my perception was overturned.  I knew about Bhutan only as “one of the happiest counties.” However, I learned Bhutan regards the happiness of　citizens very seriously.  I was so moved by his words, “International cooperation means to share happiness.”  I often hear the phrases ‘international cooperation’ or ‘international interactions’ said.  I want to try to understand foreign cultures more.

JICA Mini-Lecture

投稿日時 : 2017/06/12  izumisgh 
♢JICA Mini-Lecture
 The mini-lecture about JICA was held for 49 participating students.  Ayako Yamashita, who had been involved in JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers), was invited and gave a lecture about nourishment education in Bolivia.  She explained the difficulty of working internationally as a nutritionist, telling them about language barriers and different cultures.  At the same time, she talked about satisfaction she felt when she got the trust of local people.  This was a good opportunity for the students who were interested in intercultural communication or international contribution to broaden their minds.

[the participants’ comments]
＊I was very excited because I didn’t know about Bolivia at all.  I learned that there are big carnivals, and people can enjoy nature there.  Now I want to go there.  She seemed like she had a very full life in Bolivia though she had trouble with the language barrier.  I thought that the nutritionists were nice when I heard that the cooking helps communication.  International activities are exciting, so I want to join volunteer organizations such as JICA.
＊When I heard that there is a food delivery only once a week in some places in Bolivia, I realized that Japanese people are blessed with a lot of food at hand.  I learned the benefits of cooking natural food with natural tools instead of cooking with convenient tools or using treated food material.  The most memorable statement was “if you do what you can do, someone will accept you and you can get more opportunities.”

Visit to the President of Kanazawa University

投稿日時 : 2017/03/30  izumisgh 
 On March 30th, three second-year SG course students visited Kanazawa University, and exchanged opinions with the president Mr. Yamazaki and two trustees Mr. Shibata and Mr. Fukumori.
The students who are studying measures to combat depopulation in Suzu city explained their ideas to set up the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Kanazawa University in Suzu city.  After that, they exchanged their opinions about joint projects between Kanazawa University and the local communities and discussed various problems in Ishikawa.
This interaction encouraged the students’ study very much.

Visit to United Nations University

投稿日時 : 2017/03/28  izumisgh 
 From March 27th to 28th, as the preparation for the next SG course research, 41 newly-elected students visited United Nations University and other cooperative institutions in Tokyo.

The purpose of this visit was to get some advice as to what to research and which problems to study by taking some lectures about global problems.

On the first day, at United Nations University, the students had lectures from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Information Center.  They learned the activities of the United Nations, which aimed at Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and made a tour of the United Nations University.  On the second day, during the training course separated with each group, they visited the Earth Park of JICA, Plan International, and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.  They took some lectures, made a tour and interacted with the students there.

   Based on what they learned from this training, they will then prepare to research.

[the participants’ comments]
＊What I was most surprised about is that the number of people who live in developing countries is 5.6 billion.  I also learned that it was not easy to support them because of the differences of religions and cultures.  I thought that it was important for us to find what we can do now and put them into action for international cooperation in the future. 
 
＊I was surprised that children also mine rare metals for cell phones with their bare hands.  Although I know there are some reasons for cheap clothes, I think it is difficult to change lives quickly.  I want to find out what I can do. The common ideas of UNDP and Plan International and JICA are that we should not give temporary help, but give them something that will last indefinitely.  I want to consider ideas that have long insight in mind.