Looking back at history, it is said that many Japanese people are living a convenient and comfortable life like never before.
However, as a result of rapid economic growth and industrialization, economic competition and convenience have been pursued, leaving behind values such as local culture and climate that cannot be measured by money or convenience.
Moreover, the comfortable daily life is said to lead not only to the disappearance of culture and climate but also to the widening of economic disparities and global environmental changes, and it is not expected to last forever.
In response, the United Nations proposed SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as 17 development goals to achieve a sustainable society.
Takahashi River Shijuku is a learning space that reinterprets the SDGs proposed globally within the local community of the Takahashi River basin, and aims to re-recognize the culture and climate of the basin that are being forgotten.
The first term of Takahashi River Shijuku was held from November 2020 to February 2021, and after the second to fourth terms, the fifth term of Takahashi River Shijuku will begin in November 2022.
As the fifth term begins, we spoke with Yamamoto Masanori, the office staff who has supported the learning of graduates since the first term, and Kajitani Masashi, a graduate of the first term.
We will also introduce the content of the fifth term along with Yamamoto's and Kajitani's thoughts on Takahashi River Shijuku.
Opening of the Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku
About the Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku
Overview of the Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku
The Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku has been decided to open.
The learning of the fifth term will start with the opening ceremony on November 6, 2022, and about 20 lectures will be held until February 19, 2023.
Lectures will be conducted by business owners and entrepreneurs active in the Takahashi River basin, focusing on learning about history and culture, as well as skills necessary for promoting community activities, such as presentation and IT tool utilization.
Additionally, experiential practical training such as fieldwork in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, and Hayashima Town is also planned.
Participants will not only receive learning but will also report on their own initiatives and achievements through practical training and reports.
At the completion ceremony scheduled for February 19, 2023, presentation of achievements regarding each participant's initiatives is planned.
Lectures
The lectures conducted at Takahashi River Shijuku are classified into the following five categories.
| SDGs Vision Edition | A course where you can hear from instructors who are actively engaged in the current efforts and vision for the Takahashi River basin in 2030 |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts Edition | A course to gain knowledge about history, culture, and industry in the Takahashi River basin |
| Skills Edition | A course to acquire necessary skills and know-how for carrying out activities in the community, such as presentation, utilization of IT tools, and use of blogs and social media |
| Local SDGs Mission Edition | A workshop to redefine the 17 goals of the SDGs and set objectives for the Takahashi River basin |
| Fieldwork | Experiential learning for community revitalization in the Takahashi River basin |
Each lecture lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The structure consists of a 1-hour lecture followed by a 10-minute break, and then a 1-hour Q&A session or workshop.
Lectures can be attended both in person and online.
Additionally, most lectures have video archives available, allowing participants to view the videos and complete the course even after the lecture.
Even if you cannot attend due to studies or work, there is a system in place for learning later.
Instructors
Information about the instructors who will be speaking is available on the official website of Takahashi River Shijuku: Official Website.
The features of the fifth term are as follows.
- Regarding measures against child poverty and creating places for children, we will hear from Inoue Masaki of Mizushima Children's Cafeteria Misora♪ & Haru House.
- About the establishment of Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft and the concept of folk crafts, we will hear from Akane Ohara of the Ohara Museum of Art, titled "Beautiful Things in Everyday Life."
- In Satosho Town, we will hear about physicist Nishina Yoshio and the history and reality of "Makomo Take," which boasts the highest share in Japan, from Ogino Ryo of Agrikeier Co., Ltd.
- During the fieldwork in Hayashima Town, we will hear from Kikkawa Wakana about the operation of public facilities and community engagement, as well as from Nuka Co., Ltd. about the values they cherish in "Nuka Tsukuru Toko," from Nakano Atsushi.
- There are also skill courses that are useful for subsidy applications, such as "Logic Model," "Stakeholders," and "Presentation."
How to Attend the Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku
Takahashi River Basin School is recruiting students for the Fifth Term of Takahashi River Shijuku.
The application deadline is November 5, 2022 (Saturday).
If you are considering attending, please check the official website of Takahashi River Shijuku for more detailed information.
What is Takahashi River Shijuku?
Overview of Takahashi River Shijuku
Takahashi River Shijuku is a school aimed at achieving the SDGs in the Takahashi River basin and creating human resources capable of playing a central role in community activities.
To think about the SDGs in the Takahashi River basin, participants will understand the culture and climate of the basin and acquire skills such as presentation and IT tool utilization to practice community activities.
It is a school that aims to cultivate individuals who can think about the SDGs in the Takahashi River basin and put them into practice.
Background of Takahashi River Shijuku Opening
Kurashiki City was selected by the national government (Cabinet Office) in 2020 as a local government implementing excellent SDGs initiatives, designated as an SDGs Future City and Model Project for Local Government SDGs.
Takahashi River Shijuku is one of the "Model Projects for Local Government SDGs," operated as a commissioned project by the general incorporated association Takahashi River Basin School from Kurashiki City.
Takahashi River Shijuku is expected to create human resources capable of taking on new projects towards the realization of a sustainable society in the Takahashi River basin.
What is Takahashi River Basin School?
Takahashi River Basin School is an organization that conducts initiatives to pass on the region's culture and climate to the next generation, using the nature, culture, and industry of the Takahashi River basin as teaching materials.
Founded in 2015, it has conducted programs such as "Bichu Shijuku," which learns about the history of the Takahashi River basin, and "Bichu Kiki Gaki," where high school and university students listen to stories from older individuals.
For more detailed information about the projects, please read the articles summarized below.
History of Takahashi River Shijuku
First Term of Takahashi River Shijuku (2020)
The first term of Takahashi River Shijuku was held from November 2020 to February 2021 for about four months.
The opening ceremony was held on November 3, 2020.
Twenty participants completed the curriculum of Takahashi River Shijuku and graduated as the first term students.
Lectures and Instructors
A total of 41 lectures were held during the first term of Takahashi River Shijuku.
Some of the lectures are also featured in Kurashiki Tocotoco, so those who are interested should take a look.
- SDGs and Corporate Social Responsibility - The Global Education Program Participated by Kuramoku
- Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Practical Case: "Reasons to Use Japanese Wood"
- Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Practical Case: "Community-Based and Inclusive Place and Base Creation"
- A Happy Childhood for All Children - Two Weeks in Scandinavia | Listening to Ideas on Site
- The Vision of Regional Media by a Blogger with 1 Million Monthly Page Views
Takahashi River Shijuku 2nd to 4th Terms
The "Takahashi River Shijuku," which started its first term in November 2020, has had over 100 participants so far.
From the second term onward, we have incorporated "fieldwork," where participants actually visit various locations in the Takahashi River basin and learn about the area's charm through their senses.
Additionally, with an increase in corporate participation and high school students joining, it has become a place where people of diverse ages and backgrounds can learn together.
| Term | Period |
|---|---|
| 1st Term | November 3, 2020 - February 14, 2021 |
| 2nd Term | June 27, 2021 - September 12, 2021 |
| 3rd Term | November 7, 2022 - February 20, 2022 |
| 4th Term | June 9, 2022 - October 2, 2022 |
Some of the lectures from the second term onward are also featured in Kurashiki Tocotoco, so those who are interested should take a look.
- Takahashi River Shijuku "Fieldwork: Learning about the Kojima Textile Industry" - Experiencing Dyeing and Understanding Clothing Production in Kojima
- Takahashi River Shijuku "Kurashiki Peppermint Workshop" - Enjoying the Aroma of Handmade Aroma Mist
- Takahashi River Shijuku "Takahashi City Fieldwork" - A Workshop to Experience "Fukiya Furusato Village Reiwa Industrial Revolution" by Walking the Town
- Takahashi River Shijuku "Niimi City Fieldwork" - Learning about the Scenery of Vineyards and Nature that Nurtures Amago
- Takahashi River Shijuku "Characteristics and Sustainability of the Takahashi River Basin" - Learning from History and Culture in the Bichu Region
Status of Graduates
Among the graduates, some have started their own organizations or held events utilizing what they learned, giving rise to new contributors in the Takahashi River basin.
Connections have also formed between instructors and graduates, allowing for the building of relationships with people who are revitalizing the Takahashi River basin.
Next, we spoke with Masanori Yamamoto, who has been supporting graduates as staff for the 1st term, and Masashi Kajitani, a graduate of the 1st term.
Data for Takahashi River Shijuku 5th Term
| Name | Takahashi River Shijuku 5th Term |
|---|---|
| Dates | Period of Takahashi River Shijuku 5th Term: November 6, 2022 - February 19, 2023 |
| Location | Mainly at the coworking space "Sumiyoshicho no Ie Bunpuku," as well as other public facilities in the city |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | For details, please check the Takahashi River Shijuku website. 1. SDGs Exploration Course Participants General: 12,000 yen, Students: 8,000 yen (Participation in all programs on the day and access to archived viewing available) *Uniform fee regardless of whether attending in person or online 2. Auditors (attending only lectures) In-person attendance: 1,500 yen per session (limited number of participants) Online/archived attendance: 500 yen per session *Participants will be guided to a page that can only be viewed later. *Depending on the course, additional actual costs may be charged. *Some courses may be available for free public access. |
| Website | Takahashi River Shijuku | Takahashi River Basin School |
