On Saturday, March 1, 2025,Research, development and dissemination of educational approaches that overcome the cycle of poverty, inequality and abuseIn connection with the "Lifelong Learning" project, a seminar was held to consider "Lifelong Learning" and the future of education. "Lifelong Learning" is an educational program that was developed and put into practice at Osaka Municipal Ikuno Minami Elementary School (currently Tajima Minami Elementary and Junior High School) to help children overcome the "difficulties in life" they face.
This seminar featured four speakers from universities and companies. In the first half, Professor Nishioka Kanae (Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University), who is the representative of this project, and Specialist Yamamoto Naoki (Center for Emergence Strategy, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.) conveyed the importance of "education for living" in the form of a lecture and workshop. In the second half, CSR Promotion Department Manager Ichiki Noriko (CSR Promotion Department, Suntory Holdings Limited) and Senior Promoter Ogaya Ryoko (Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Social Value Creation Promotion Department) introduced their activities in terms of companies' contributions to children's learning.
In this article, we will tell you about the content and details of the seminar.
Lecture: "Living Education" and project introduction
Professor Kanae Nishioka (Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University)
Professor Nishioka, who specializes in educational methodology and studies school curriculum and evaluation improvement, explained the "Living Education" program, which is conducted in stages from the first grade of elementary school to the third grade of junior high school. According to Professor Nishioka, the appeal of "Living Education" is not only its concept, but also the way it approaches children's awareness based on the in-depth research of teaching materials by the teachers involved in the program. He spoke powerfully about the importance of "Living Education," which aims to help all children overcome "the difficulties of life" and live happy lives.
Workshop: A workshop to experience "Living Education"
Naoki Yamamoto, Specialist (Emergent Strategy Center, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.)
As part of the nine-year program of "Living Education," we held a workshop on the theme of "Real Dating Violence" for second-year junior high school students. Domestic violence is said to be divided into physical violence, economic violence, mental violence, and social violence. Sixteen specific situations were presented, and participants answered using their smartphones to see which of the four types of violence they fell under. As we looked at the results of everyone's answers, we experienced firsthand how different people perceive and think differently.
Lecture: "Next Generation Empowerment Activities"
Noriko Ichiki, General Manager of CSR Promotion Department (Suntory Holdings Limited, CSR Promotion Department)
He introduced examples of the "Next Generation Empowerment Activity 'You are the Unknown'" that will be launched in 2023 as a practical example of the Suntory Group's corporate philosophy of "Giving Back to Society" (*1). This initiative is aimed at teenagers (adolescents), who are said to be underserved, and aims to eliminate experience gaps and expand the quality and quantity of places they can belong in collaboration with NPOs and other organizations. He said that "Theory of Change for Realizing Next Generation Empowerment" (*2), published by Suntory in 2024, is imbued with the desire to work together with various players in society.
(*1) "Giving back to society" is one of the values that the Suntory Group upholds as its corporate philosophy. What we gain from our business activities is not only reinvested in our company, but is also used to provide services to our customers and give back to society.
(*2) "Theory of Change for the Realization of Next-Generation Empowerment" isHere(Redirects to the Suntory Holdings website).
Lecture: SMBC Group's efforts to support children
Ryoko Ogaya, Senior Sustainability Expert and Senior Promotion Officer (Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Social Value Creation Promotion Department)
In relation to "poverty and inequality," one of the priority issues in the SMBC Group's medium-term management plan, he introduced activities aimed at eliminating inequality by providing educational and experience opportunities for children. In Japan, one in seven people live in relative poverty. He said that working to eliminate inequality among children here will contribute to society and lead to the development of a better business environment in the future. He also talked about a specific initiative, "Atelier Banrai -ITABASHI-" (*3), a children's experience facility scheduled to open in April 2025.
(*3) For details on "Atelier Banrai -ITABASHI-"Here(You will be redirected to the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group website).
Panel discussion (Director Ichiki, Senior Facilitator Ogaya, Professor Nishioka, Specialist Yamamoto)
"Child poverty and inequality" cannot be solved by schools, NPOs, or the government alone, but one area where the impact is most easily apparent is "access to experiences." Director Ichiki and Senior Promoter Ogaya, who are working to eliminate the experience gap from a corporate perspective, explained that the basis of experience is "education for living," and that it is a value that is cultivated over time as part of school education. Professor Nishioka spoke about the significance of companies making a firm commitment to providing experiences that schools cannot provide.
In the second half, opinions were exchanged about the importance of collaboration between players with different perspectives and resources. Teachers in schools face children while facing labor shortages and long working hours. The content of the talk left us with hopes that by bringing together not only schools but also universities, companies, and government agencies, each with their own strengths, and collaborating both inside and outside of schools, we may be able to come closer to realizing a desirable society.
"Poverty and inequality" are major social issues that cannot be solved by just certain players. In order to increase the number of people who will take a step forward together, SMBC Kyoto University Studio will continue to promote projects centered on "education for living" and disseminate information.
