Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasa 2019 - An Event to Learn about the SDGs and Create the Future of Kurashiki

From August 22 to September 21, 2019, the "Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasai 2019" was held.

"Hiyasai 2019" consists of 17 programs that consider the international goal of "SDGs."

Kurashiki Tocotoco covered the program "Future Town Development Considering Local Issues with High School Students," which was held on September 14 at Ohara House Katalyzer.

What is the Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasai 2019?

The "Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasai" is a project organized by the Kurashiki Junior Chamber.
Since 2009, experiential programs have been held in various locations in Kurashiki City, and 2019 marked the 7th edition.

In the local dialect, "hiyasai" refers to "intricate narrow alleys."
In the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki, hiyasai can be found everywhere.

The event aims to rediscover the culture, history, and warmth of the people scattered throughout the town and to think about the future of Kurashiki.

In 2019, under the catchphrase "Turning a 'Non-sustainable World' into a 'Sustainable World': The Kurashiki Future Project Created by Our Hands," events were held in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What are the SDGs?

SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is an abbreviation for the global goals for sustainable development.

The Kurashiki Junior Chamber explains it as follows.

SDGs are a set of global common goals created by governments, businesses, researchers, NGOs, and NPOs to promote the resolution of global issues, covering the period from 2016 to 2030.
They consist of 17 goals and 169 targets (sub-goals) addressing issues such as poverty, hunger, climate change, and peaceful societies.
All countries, regardless of whether they are developed or developing, are required to work towards achieving the SDGs.
With the slogan "Leave no one behind," we aim for a world where all people can lead better lives from the perspectives of economic growth, social welfare development, and environmental protection.
Hiyasai 2019 × SDGs | The Kurashiki Future Project Created by Our Hands

The 17 goals include, for example, the following:

• End poverty
• Quality education for all
• Responsible consumption and production
• Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources
• Partnerships for the goals

Each of these goals has sub-goals and more detailed numerical targets.

According to a survey conducted in February 2019, the national average recognition rate of the name SDGs was 16.0%.
By prefecture, Okayama Prefecture had a recognition rate of 23.7%, ranking first in the nation.

Programs of the Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasai 2019

The following programs were held as part of the Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasai 2019.

Each program aligns with the goals of the SDGs, considering the world in a town where historical culture passed down since the Edo period and daily life coexist.

Report on "Future Town Development Considering Local Issues with High School Students"

One of the programs, "Future Town Development Considering Local Issues with High School Students," was held on Saturday, September 14 at Ohara House Katalyzer.

Ohara House Katalyzer (Former Ohara Family Residence) - A Residence Packed with the Beauty of Kurashiki

One of the major attractions of Kurashiki tourism is the white-walled buildings. At "Ohara House Katalyzer (Former Ohara Family Residence)," you can enjoy the beauty of Kurashiki's houses and storehouses along with a Japanese garden. It is a nationally designated important cultural property...

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Considering how to solve local issues from the perspective of the SDGs, participants engaged in discussions.

Participants included adults and students from Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School, Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Central High School, and Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School.

At the opening, Director Yamashita of Ohara House Katalyzer expressed, "I hope that discussions across generations will lead to new discoveries."

Flow of the Program

1. Presentation of local issues considered in advance by each high school
2. Learning the significance and possibilities of SDGs through a card game
3. Considering which of the 17 goals of SDGs correspond to actions taken to solve local issues

Presentation of Local Issues Considered by Each High School in Advance

First, high school students presented local issues and their efforts to solve them using slides.

Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Central High School discovered issues related to the local "Mizushima Port Festival" through a discussion meeting called "Teach-In" involving local residents.
They proposed improvements to the festival, and various events were actually implemented during the festival.

To encourage young people to participate, they devised ways to make posts on Instagram and conducted surveys using tablets to gather opinions from attendees, engaging in various activities over several years to enhance the festival.

Through the Teach-In, it seems that awareness of participation in the community has increased.

Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School presented what they learned in a training session on planning a tourism tour in Kibi Central Town.

They introduced their experiences, which were different from their usual lives, as souvenirs, with plenty of photos.

They realized that the Bikan Historical Area, which has continued through six eras from the Edo period to the Reiwa period, and the Ohara House Katalyzer, which is a building still inhabited, embody the essence of the SDGs.

Currently, they are researching SDGs at Coworking Space "Bunbuku".

Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School participated in the "Tourism Koshien," a competition to showcase tourism videos, to promote tourism in the Kojima area.
They passed the preliminary round, where 50 plans were selected from 215 entries, and are currently in the process of producing the video.

In creating the video, they decided on the target audience based on data from inbound tourists, planned tourism strategies, created storyboards, and conducted interviews at various locations.

They also introduced the charm of each spot and the process of their interviews.

After the presentations from each school, participants wrote their opinions and advice on post-it notes for feedback.

The wall became colorful, like flowers blooming, with many sticky notes.
Receiving opinions and advice from many people on their presentations is likely to be a valuable experience.

We asked a student from Washu Senior High School for their impressions after the presentation.

"I was nervous making the slide materials and presenting for the first time. My legs were shaking."
"I used my summer vacation time for planning, material creation, and site visits."
"I hope we can convey the goodness and charm of Kojima and our local area more from our side."

Although they seemed nervous, they presented clearly, and the author was impressed, thinking, "How composed they are."

Learning the Significance and Possibilities of SDGs through the Card Game "2030 SDGs"

The card game "2030 SDGs" is a game that allows you to experience the journey to 2030.

Each team has its own goals.
Some people want to live a comfortable life, while others want to become wealthy or prioritize environmental protection.

Participants view the entire world as a planet, using the money and time cards given to their teams to implement projects while aiming to achieve their team's goals.

Implementing projects requires time and money, and doing so changes the situation of both your team and the world.

For example, to carry out the "Transportation Infrastructure Development" project, you need 500 money and 3 time. Upon execution, you receive 1,000 money and 1 time, and the world's situation changes with the economy +1 and the environment -1, and so on.

As in reality, negotiations between teams are free.

Now, form teams with people you meet for the first time, and let's start the game.

First, each team competes to carry out their own projects.
It is very exciting.

Many projects were implemented quickly, and exchanges of time and money were also observed.

And the first half ended, with 5 out of 11 teams achieving their goals.
However, looking at the world's situation...

Only the blue magnet representing the economy is increasing.
What kind of situation is this?

Chairman Matsumoto of the Kurashiki Junior Chamber of Commerce provided an explanation.

"The economy is a great success. However, the environment and society are in a catastrophic state, with no halt to global warming, forests continue to be destroyed, crime is rampant, and it has become a tense world where you can't even trust your neighbor."

"Please read the text written on the goal card until the end once again. Is this the kind of situation you want for the future world?"

With this question, the second half begins.

The atmosphere has changed remarkably from the first half.
Although negotiations were taking place between teams in the first half, they have become much more active.

"Is there any team with extra time?"
"We can donate this."
"Could you cooperate with this to improve society?"
"Shall we all pool our money and time to achieve this project?"

Looking at the world's situation, partnerships began to emerge rapidly.

And then, the game ended.

Out of 11 teams, 10 teams achieved their goals, and the world's situation also improved significantly.

What can we learn from this game?

According to the explanation, the difference between the first and second halves is the significance of the "SDGs".
In other words, because of the SDGs, we can share and confirm the goals that need to be achieved in the world, leading to cooperation and bringing us closer to realization.

The differences in perspectives, actions, and results between the first and second halves were clearly felt by the author who was observing from the side.
Participants must have felt it even more.

What the Kurashiki Junior Chamber of Commerce hopes participants will feel through "2030 SDGs" are the following points.

• "The world is connected" and "I am also a starting point"
• The core of the SDGs is "Let's achieve our goals through partnerships."

This game made it clear that each person's actions can change the world, and that cooperation with those around us is essential.

It was very fun and lively, and the Kuratoco reporting team felt envious, thinking, "It looks so fun, I want to join."

Consider where the actions taken to solve local issues fit within the 17 goals of the SDGs

Next, we will review the activities undertaken to solve local issues from the perspective of the SDGs.

We discussed as a team that agricultural experiences might connect to "Zero Hunger," and interviews with working women might fit under "Achieve Gender Equality," and so on.
We will stick the stickers of the applicable goals and present them.

The activities we have conducted so far have clearly been related to the SDGs.

Participants' Impressions

Finally, we will present our impressions and thoughts about the future.

The following impressions were shared:

• In the card game, at first, I was only thinking about my own goals, but in the latter half, I was able to think about how I could contribute to society. Remembering that, I felt I need to continue activities that connect to the SDGs in the future.
• I learned about the SDGs and was able to exchange opinions with various people, gaining new perspectives.
• I want to engage in activities while being conscious of the SDGs from now on.

Overall Evaluation and Greeting from Kurashiki Junior Chamber

Finally, there was an overall evaluation and greeting from a member of the Kurashiki Junior Chamber.

“If you could do even one or two things starting today, that would be great. Even if there is nothing you can do right away, just knowing about the SDGs and sharing that knowledge can help make the world a better place.”

“The essence of the SDGs is to create a society where no one is left behind. As we move towards 2030, I hope we can all work together to create a world where we can continue to live.”

“You are the treasures of the community. The Kurashiki Junior Chamber will strive to create a livable community when you enter society, so that your ideals can be realized.”

Coverage of "Considering Future Town Development through Discussions on Local Issues with High School Students"

This program allowed us to experience and learn not just the overview of the SDGs, but also its essence.

There are few opportunities for high school students to discuss with adults other than their families and teachers, so this was a valuable opportunity for both sides.

The presentations by the high school students were wonderful, making me feel hopeful about the future, and at the same time, I felt a sense of responsibility to create a society where they can thrive.

I also want to think about the SDGs and start practicing what I can do.

Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasa 2019 Data

Name	Kurashiki Future Project Hiyasa 2019
Date	August 22, 2019 (Tuesday) to September 21, 2019 (Saturday) “Considering Future Town Development through Discussions on Local Issues with High School Students” was held on September 14, 2019 (Saturday) from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location	Various locations in Kurashiki City
Participation Fee (including tax)	Free to 8,500 yen (including tax), depending on the program
Website	Hiyasa 2019 × SDGs | Kurashiki Future Project Created by Our Hands

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