【June 20th, Sendai】What's the Reality of "Freeschools," an Alternative to School? Dialogue Session to Discuss "Children's Places" with Citizens and Field Professionals!

The "Sendai Miyagi Social Hub (Secretariat: NPO Sendai Miyagi NPO Center)," which aims to solve issues by connecting diverse entities such as citizens, NPOs, corporations, and government, and "manaco General Incorporated Association," which is involved in creating places for children in Sendai and Miyagi, will jointly hold a dialogue session titled "Finding 'Children's Places' Outside of School ~Understanding the Freeschool Environment and Considering Support We Can Offer~" on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at PARM-CITY131 in Aoba-ku, Sendai City.

This event is the second in a three-part series titled "Let's Think Together! School Refusal and Future Places ~Towards a 'Town' Where Children, Parents, and Teachers Can All Feel Secure~."

[Official Website Detail Page] https://semi-hub.org/activity/yswXBVfJ

■ Background of the Planning

How much do you know about the reality of "learning places and safe havens" outside of school?

As the number of elementary and junior high school students refusing to attend school continues to reach record highs according to Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology surveys, attention is rapidly growing towards alternatives to school such as "freeschools" and "private community spaces."

However, for many people, it is difficult to grasp the actual situation: "What are these places really like?" "How do the children spend their time?"

For children to live their lives authentically, not only support from schools and government but also the presence of warm community spaces and learning environments is key.

In this session, we will invite two representatives from freeschools who work closely with children and their parents daily, to "learn" about their current daily realities, and to have an open dialogue about "what we can do" for the children among citizens and those interested in pro bono and volunteer work.

■ Main Program of the Event

This session is a place to deepen understanding of the theme with the guests and consider what we can do for the children by learning about the current situation and daily realities.

▶ ① [Learn] What is a Freeschool?? Let's Learn About Its Reality!

From the introduction of activities by each organization by the two guests, we will hear about the state of children who have chosen places outside of school for various backgrounds and reasons, as well as the "now" of parent support and community-based activities.

▶ ② [Think] What We Can Do & What Freeschools Can Do

Under the facilitation of navigator Shuichiro Nakano, a group work session will be held for participants to brainstorm ideas. Under the safe and secure ground rule of "no criticism only," we will consider small steps that can be taken in the community starting today.

■ Event Overview

* Date & Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 13:30 - 15:00 (Reception opens 13:15)
* Venue: PARM-CITY131 Meeting Room [ROOM 5A]
(3-1-16 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi 980-0811 PARM-CITY131 Building 5F)
* Access: 5-minute walk from Hirose-dori Station on the Subway Namboku Line
* Target Audience: Anyone interested in the theme, those who want to gather information, those interested in pro bono/volunteering, etc. (Listening-only participation, and mid-event arrival/departure are also welcome)
* Participation Fee: Free (Advance registration required)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceA4GzXvM24nVmlvntSextuaLalPyo5pmerK7jHOd3h1B0dg/viewform?usp=dialog
* Organizers:
Sendai Miyagi Social Hub (Secretariat: NPO Sendai Miyagi NPO Center)
manaco General Incorporated Association
* How to Apply: Please apply through the dedicated form on the official website.
(If you require communication support such as sign language interpretation or summarized transcription, please indicate this on the form.)

■ Speaker Profiles

Masayuki Ishikawa (Representative, Freeschool Daito)

Provides learning support, interpersonal relationship support, and experiential learning so that students who have chosen learning environments outside of school for various reasons can learn in their own way.

Sachiko Endo (Representative, Parent-Child Place Clover)

Engages in activities connecting home, school, and community through support for children's places for those refusing school, as well as parent support and community-based activities.

[Navigator] Shuichiro Nakano (Co-Representative, manaco General Incorporated Association)

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[Inquiries and Interview Requests Regarding This Matter]

Sendai Miyagi Social Hub Secretariat (Within NPO Sendai Miyagi NPO Center) Contact Person: [Please enter the name of the person in charge] Address: 3-3-30 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi 980-0803 TEL: 022-264-1281 E-mail: hub@minmin.org Official URL: https://semi-hub.org/ (We are also flexible in accommodating requests for coverage of the event itself (filming/interviews with consideration for participant privacy) and pre-event interviews with organizers and guests. Please feel free to contact us.)