"Children's 'Now and Future' Conference" Launched. A Social Outreach Project to Engage More People with Children and Foster Dialogue.

Non-Profit Organization Katariba (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kumi Imamura; hereinafter referred to as Katariba) has been engaged in various educational support activities since its founding in 2001. On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, we are launching "Children's 'Now and Future' Conference," a social outreach project to consider ways for more people to engage with children, moving towards our goal of "a society where children can foster the ability to create their future, regardless of their environment." Children Living in an Era of "No Right Answers" Amidst Profound Societal Change Society is undergoing a period of great change, including technological advancements, diversification of values, and transformations in employment and family structures. In such times, children must navigate an "era of no right answers." The increase in school non-attendance and bullying, changes in entrance examination systems like the comprehensive selection, the diversification of children's environments and learning methods, and teacher shortages are not just issues within educational settings but are also influenced by broader societal shifts. Historically, the support for children's education has primarily fallen on families, schools, and educators. However, in today's increasingly complex society, it is becoming difficult for a limited number of people to bear this responsibility alone. Thus, there is a growing need for more people, across different positions and specializations, to engage with children in various ways. Thinking About Education Together as a Society: The Necessity of Diverse Engagement with Children Katariba was established in 2021 and has been actively listening to the voices of children and young people while engaging with the field of education for the past 25 years. Through sincere engagement with each child's voice, we have come to feel the necessity for society as a whole, not just "schools" and "families," to think about and engage with children's education. It is with this sentiment that we launch "Children's 'Now and Future' Conference" on our 25th anniversary. This initiative brings together individuals from various backgrounds, not limited to educators, but including business professionals, creators, researchers, and community workers, to share the question: "How do we envision the future society, with children at its core?" We, who are living today, are the ones who will shape the society in which children live. "Children's 'Now and Future' Conference" is not a place to find answers, but a place to continue asking questions and engage more people, fostering dialogue on how we can build a gentler society. Content Introduction 【Dialogue】 A series of dialogues designed to re-examine "children's present" through conversations with guests actively taking action in various societal fields. Instead of providing definitive answers, we aim to understand the contours of society emerging from their experiences and words, and to consider "children's future." ● Dialogue Series (Video / Article / Audio) ・Yukiko Uchida (Professor, Kyoto University) x Kumi Imamura: What is the "place" that fosters children's happiness? https://www.katariba.or.jp/magazine/article/kodomo-kaigi260401/ ・Shunsuke Aoki (CEO, Yukai Engineering) x Kumi Imamura: The 'space' that draws out children's "desire to try" https://www.katariba.or.jp/magazine/article/kodomo-kaigi260331/ ・Takaya Matsuda (Co-CEO, Heralbony) x Kumi Imamura: Children's "talents" are discovered through the "places" they encounter. https://www.katariba.or.jp/magazine/article/kodomo-kaigi260402/ ・Ema Yamazaki (Film Director) x Kumi Imamura: The future of education we envision. https://www.katariba.or.jp/magazine/article/kodomo-kaigi260226/ ● Radio Program We are launching the program "Dialogue" on InterFM, broadcast every Sunday. Representative Imamura will engage in dialogues with various individuals taking action for society and children's "now and future," discussing how to relate to children and society going forward. Program URL: https://www.interfm.co.jp/kodomo Podcast: https://jfn-pods.com/program/300013265 Program Name: Dialogue Broadcast Period: April to September 2026 Broadcast Time: Every Sunday 8:30-8:45 AM 【Forum】 A forum to understand "children's present." An online/offline event where individuals facing challenges in their respective fields connect across boundaries, learn about the current situation and the future, incorporating case studies from the forefront of child support. 【Action】 This section compiles actions that individuals can take from their immediate surroundings after considering, "What can I do to improve the environment for children?" 【Booklet "Dialogue"】 The booklet "Dialogue: From Katariba's Fieldwork" touches upon the challenges facing children and schools today, aiming to spark dialogue about "the future society." It introduces perspectives gained by Katariba through its educational activities in collaboration with people from various backgrounds. "Children's 'Now and Future' Conference" Official Website This special website features dialogues held during "Children's 'Now and Future' Conference" and information on upcoming events. Discussions between Representative Director Imamura, frontrunners from various industries, and individuals involved with children will be regularly posted. https://kodomo-kaigi.katariba.or.jp About Non-Profit Organization Katariba Katariba is an education NPO that has been active since 2001, aiming for a society where children, regardless of their environment, can foster the will and creativity to shape their own futures. Starting with outreach programs for high schools, after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, we provided learning spaces and places of belonging for children. Since 2020, we have engaged in various educational activities tailored to societal changes, such as providing online learning support for families facing economic difficulties and supporting children with school non-attendance using metaverse spaces. Establishment: November 1, 2001 Representative: Kumi Imamura, Representative Director Headquarters Location: Nakano 5-15-2, Nakano-ku, Tokyo Business Activities: Career learning and project-based learning programs for high school students (nationwide) / Operation of after-school schools in disaster-affected areas (Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture; Hirono Town, Fukushima Prefecture) / Disaster emergency support (nationwide) / Community-based educational support (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) / Support for children from low-income households (Adachi-ku, Tokyo; nationwide) / Support for high school students of foreign roots (Tokyo) / Support for children and students with school non-attendance (Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture; nationwide) / Support for launching children's spaces (nationwide) URL: https://www.katariba.or.jp Inquiries Please enter your inquiry regarding interviews in the form below. http