NPO Seibo and Inquiry-Based Learning Support Company Winttle Collaborate to Provide "Living Inquiry-Based Learning" through Academia-Industry Partnership with Malawi, Africa

1. Lead NPO Seibo (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative: Mahito Yamada), which promotes a model of "sustaining social contribution through business" via school meal support in the Republic of Malawi, and Winttle Inc. (Headquarters: Hyogo, Representatives: Yuki Kotake/Nao Omori), which provides inquiry-based learning support for schools, will begin joint development of an inquiry-based learning program themed on school meal support in Malawi, Africa. This partnership aims to jointly develop educational programs for learning about social business in Africa and experiencing the importance of food, as well as to strengthen expertise through the cooperation of mutual staff. 2. Background and Purpose In modern education, the "power of inquiry" to solve unpredictable social issues is in demand. By combining Seibo's resources of "on-the-ground experience in Africa" and a "sustainable donation model (social business)" with Winttle's "expertise in learning design," we will provide practical classes that go a step beyond traditional international understanding education, allowing students to devise schemes for problem-solving themselves. 3. Main Initiatives - Implementation of an "Africa x Social Business" Inquiry Program: In addition to connecting the meal support sites in Malawi with classrooms in Japan in real-time, we will offer special classes where students can learn the thought process of solving social issues through business. - Food Education Classes to Learn the Importance of Food from Multiple Perspectives: We will create opportunities to compare the local food situation with Japan's food abundance, and to learn about the cycle of life, nutrition, and the logistics behind the support. - Mutual Staff Cooperation and Sharing of Expertise: Winttle's learning mentors will be sent to Seibo's activity sites, and Seibo's international cooperation professionals will support Winttle's educational sites. This will enhance the quality of educational content and realize classes taught by instructors with a feel for the field. 4. Expected Effects - An opportunity for high school students to encounter and act on social issues: School meal support in Malawi is connected to various social issues such as food, education, poverty, and international cooperation. This collaboration will not just be about passively learning these issues, but will develop into inquiry-based learning where students themselves pose questions, investigate, and act while involving those around them. For example, students will tackle questions like: Why does school meal support lead to the continuation of education? How are the distant problems of Malawi connected to our own lives? How can we make donations and fair trade a sustainable system rather than a temporary activity? What forms of international cooperation can we create from our own schools and communities? By combining Seibo's experience in international cooperation with Winttle's support for inquiry-based learning, we will create opportunities for students to see social issues not as "a story from a distant world," but as something connected to their own learning and actions. 5. Future Outlook Seibo and Winttle will continue to expand opportunities for high school students to get involved in international cooperation through in-school classes, workshops, support for inquiry activities, and creation of presentation opportunities. Furthermore, we aim to develop this into continuous learning that goes beyond one-off classes, such as student-led action projects, sales of fair-trade products, awareness campaigns, and collaboration with local communities and companies. We will work together to expand such learning environments where the younger generation takes an interest in the future of children in Malawi and gets involved in society through their own actions. 6. Comments from Both Representatives Mahito Yamada, Representative of NPO Seibo: "Our wish is to create a cycle of learning, not just a relationship of 'giver and receiver' of support. Through our collaboration with Winttle, we want to maximize the opportunities for Japanese youth to see the world as their own affair." Yuki Kotake / Nao Omori, Representatives of Winttle Inc.: "We believe that what's important in inquiry-based learning is for students to encounter realistic questions and connect them to their own actions. The practice that Seibo has accumulated in Malawi will be a great catalyst for students to feel social issues as something close to them. Through this collaboration, we will create opportunities for international cooperation not to end as 'a story from a distant world,' but to connect to each student's learning and challenges." 7. About NPO Seibo Organization Name: NPO Seibo. Representative: Chairman Mahito Yamada. Location: 6-4-12 Akabanishi, Kita-ku, Tokyo. Established: February 11, 2016. Business: NPO Seibo engages in activities that connect the world and Japan through food to support the future of children. Centered on "school meal support" in the Republic of Malawi, Africa, we aim to create educational opportunities and improve nutrition by providing nutritious meals at local schools. In Japan, we operate the Warm Hearts Coffee Club, which sells high-quality Malawian coffee and dedicates 100% of the profits to meal support, and we also conduct awareness activities such as international understanding education and SDGs workshops for schools and companies. 8. About Winttle Inc. Company Name: Winttle Inc. Representatives: Yuki Kotake / Nao Omori. Location: Nada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo. Established: May 13, 2024. Business: Winttle Inc. aims to create an environment where each student's challenges can expand by creating learning opportunities that connect schools and society. We support the design and implementation of learning in inquiry-based learning, career education, etc., by accompanying school education sites with services like "Inquiry Class Assistant," "1-Day Guest Lectures," and "Long-Term Curriculum." Official Website: https://winttle.com/ Contact: https://winttle.com/contact 9. Contact Information NPO Seibo URL: https://www.seibojapan.or.jp/ Winttle Inc. URL: https://winttle.com/