Mamoru Matsumoto: Education that Sows the "Seeds of SDGs"

2022/07/27

Chutobu Junior High School declared its commitment to the SDGs on November 17, 2020. This was when the 73rd class was in their second year. On behalf of the homeroom teachers, I would like to introduce the SDG activities that the entire grade has been working on.

The core of our efforts is the "SDGs Declaration of Action." This declaration refers to the 17 SDGs and expresses sustainable goals framed as personal matters. Students are required not only to think of specific actions but also to put them into practice. From here, the following activities led to the expansion of our SDG initiatives.

1. Creating SDG catchphrases (in collaboration with the Japanese Language Department; participated in the project to create the Japanese version of the 169 SDG target icons)

2. Creating SDG posters (in collaboration with the Art Department; invited Mr. Ryo Honda, Director of the Japan Association for the World Food Programme, as a guest teacher)

3. SDGs x Electricity (in collaboration with the Social Studies Department; learning about the decarbonization of energy)

4. Participating in the Eco-Proverb Contest

5. Participating in the SDGs Creative Idea Contest (expressing the Declaration of Action digitally)

6. Lecture by Mr. Kunikazu Suzuki: "Knowing the Reality of SDGs—Learning about SDGs and How to Apply Them"

Seventh, as graduation approached, we created two declarations: "Declaration of Action 2022" and "Declaration of Action 2030." In "2022," students thought about specific activities they wanted to undertake as high school students. In "2030," they envisioned how they wanted the environment and the world around them to be in 2030, the target year for achieving the SDGs. In this initiative, we attempted to use the SDGs as a communication tool to connect the present and the future. While we often hear stories of graduating students sending time capsules, these two declarations are commitments entrusted to their future selves.

In the near future, the day will come when Chutobu Junior High School students who have worked on the SDGs will participate in the school's educational activities as alumni. When graduates who have learned about the SDGs share their experiences with current students, I believe the sustainable education declared by Chutobu Junior High School will truly begin.

These activities are made possible through the understanding and cooperation of the faculty, staff, and maintenance personnel. We will also share the students' efforts with parents and alumni, seeking the understanding and cooperation of everyone involved in the education at Chutobu Junior High School. I believe this leads to the realization of the philosophy "leave no one behind."