At Josho Gakuen High School, where various initiatives are underway to develop the ability to thrive globally, students in the Global Exploration Course participated in an overseas company exploration study trip in November, as well as online follow-up learning and online exchanges to discuss the SDGs with students from overseas.

 

Industry-academia-finance collaboration! Discussing the SDGs "Responsible Consumption and Production" with people of the same generation from around the world at SMBC's "International Exchange for the Future"

This article introduces "Discussing SDG 12 'Responsible Consumption and Production' with the World! SMBC Presents 'International Exchange for the Future'," which aims to foster the ability to solve social problems and is being implemented with the support of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. This program focuses on logistics, which students from overseas have learned about during their school trip and follow-up learning, and discusses SDG 12 'Responsible Consumption and Production' with students from overseas. By doing so, students aim to develop the ability to understand the perspectives of people with different cultural backgrounds and to collaborate with people around the world to solve problems for a sustainable society.

Considering SDG 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" with people of the same generation in Indonesia and Vietnam

On November 21st and 28th, an online international exchange was held with students from Indonesia and Vietnam, who visited the country on a school trip, to exchange opinions on SDG 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production." On November 21st, each student shared their opinions on the theme. Discussions focused on the differences and similarities in food issues between countries, such as the fact that food waste is high in Japan, while food safety issues are more prevalent in Vietnam, and that food waste issues such as school lunch waste are evident in both Indonesia and Japan. Food sales methods were also discussed, including differences in discounts between Japan and Indonesia. Opinions were shared based on what the students learned on their school trip to Indonesia.

Based on the discussions held on the 21st, on the 28th, students from Josho Gakuen High School shared with the international students how much food they managed to avoid wasting in a week and what they were conscious of in their daily lives. Some students even took action to prevent leftover lunches from being thrown away. By utilizing the skills and knowledge they gained through inquiry-based learning, as well as their ability to communicate with international students and understand different cultures, the students were able to communicate their behavioral goals through actual interactions with international students.

〇Student impressions

Many students commented that the experience was a valuable one, not only for improving their English communication skills and cultural understanding, but also for talking about the SDGs with people from other countries, and that they hope to continue their studies abroad.

・I had so many opportunities to interact with people and it was a great experience! Thank you very much!

・I want to study abroad!

・Going to a university abroad

・I have many opportunities to interact with people from other countries in class, so I think I can use this knowledge to communicate with them.

I want to study abroad at university.

My thinking has broadened

・Through this program, I was able to experience many cultural differences.

On January 9th, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation gave a lecture on logistics from a corporate perspective, focusing on the need to deliver goods locally in order to be active globally in the future.

Through online discussions after returning from their school trip to Indonesia and lectures from companies, we hope that students will gain practical experience in connecting with the world and society and working with people from around the world.

 

■Joso Gakuen Educational Corporation

Kansai Engineering College was founded in 1922. Currently, it houses Osaka Institute of Technology, Setsunan University, Hiroshima International University, Josho Gakuen Junior and Senior High School, and Josho Keiko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School. Based on this educational philosophy, "We cultivate a spirit of independence and self-reliance and a broad perspective on careers, and by enabling students to advance to higher education with a sense of purpose, we aim to develop human resources who can thrive in the real world in the future." As an advanced educational institution, we work in collaboration with universities within the school, making use of educational and research resources, and through various international education programs, including overseas school trips, we aim to develop human resources who can thrive in global society.

■ Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

SMBC Group has inherited the business spirit of its origins, Mitsui and Sumitomo, and has established its management philosophy as contributing to the realization of a sustainable society by resolving social issues.

Furthermore, our medium-term management plan for fiscal 2023-2025, "Plan for Fulfilled Growth," positions the creation of social value as a pillar of our management.

SMBC Group employees will be implementing their own "Shaka Kachi"*Shakakachi Day" works with customers and local communities in Japan and around the world to solve social issues and engage in social contribution activities.

*SMBC Group's motto for "creating social value"

With the World

To contribute to the creation of sustainable educational environments worldwide, we provide international exchange programs for over 20,000 children annually at over 500 schools in 67 countries. Our goal is to create an educational environment where children around the world can engage in international exchange, regardless of economic disparity or background. From "online international exchange" utilizing the ICT environment established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's GIGA School Initiative to "overseas educational trips" that go beyond mere sightseeing, we provide services aimed at making friends and fostering connections and cooperation with people around the world. Our services are widely used by local governments nationwide, as well as elementary, junior high, and high schools, universities, and companies. In a post-event survey, over 90% of participants stated that they would like to visit the people they interacted with, paving the way for new approaches to international education and CSR.

 

Related article:https://withtheworld.co/josho-high-school/

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