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Hachioji CampusTri-National Storytelling Project Fosters Cultural Understanding and Education for Sustainability

Tokyo - On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Professor Kyoko Nakayama of the Faculty of Education at Teikyo University led a seminar that hosted an online presentation for the Japan-Korea-China Trilateral Storytelling Project. Over 70 participants, including university faculty, UNESCO Center staff, and students from Japan, Korea, and China, gathered to explore themes of cultural diversity, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students from the teacher training program and graduate school meticulously crafted lessons based on selected picture books, delivering their presentations in English.

This project, organized by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific International Understanding Education Center, was part of the 2022 teacher training program's cultural exchange initiative for Japan, Korea, and China. Teikyo University's Faculty of Education, in collaboration with Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, represented Japan in this endeavor. Participating institutions included Korea's Gongju National University of Education, Seoul National University of Education, Gwangju National University of Education, Chonju National University of Education, as well as graduate students from Beijing Normal University's Institute of International Comparative Education in China. Under the guidance of university faculty specializing in international understanding education, students focused on the themes of "cultural diversity" and "ESD/SDGs." They selected children's books for storytelling, developed instructional plans (including conducting simulated lessons), and authored comprehensive reports. This eight-month-long project culminated in a joint presentation where students from all three countries shared their findings. Each team meticulously selected their picture books and invested substantial time in creating their lessons, ultimately delivering successful presentations. While the guidance of the faculty played a pivotal role in the students' accomplishments, it was the students' own enthusiasm and their deepened understanding of learning about international understanding education across borders that made this experience truly remarkable. This event showcased not just a social exchange, but an intellectual one, where the University's commitment to fostering active student engagement in international projects was vividly evident. Teikyo University remains dedicated to supporting students in their active participation in such initiatives, reflecting a broader commitment to global education.

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Click here for Teikyo University's SDGs initiatives

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