Report on Summer Retreat 2024
Overview
BEYOND Tomorrow brings together young people who have experienced difficulties in their upbringing, but who aspire to create their own future. During programs held throughout the year, we provide opportunities for students to learn and grow by sharing values with their peers, learning different perspectives and ways of thinking, and discovering new possibilities for themselves.
Summer Retreat Program 2024, a face-to-face program was held for BEYOND Tomorrow scholarship students (both high school and college-level students, 22 students in total) on August 6th to 10th 2024.
Participants
13 high school students from Endeavor Program 2024, BEYOND Tomorrow
6 college-level students from Japan Future Scholarship Program 2024, BEYOND Tomorrow
3 college-level students from Internship Program 2024, BEYOND Tomorrow
Organizer
Global Fund for Education Assistance
Co-Organizer
Fukui Minami High school
Backing
Mihama Town, Mihama Town Board of Education
Support
“Rohto Kodomo no Yume Kikin” fund by Rohto and Peace Winds
Green Core, Ltd
Kinko’s Inc.
Program Theme
Building a Vision for the Future: The Potential of Young People Who Have Experienced Adversity and Their Contribution to Society
Presentation Topic
Our original actions to establish a society where everyone can shine
Day 1
We visited NHK Kanazawa Broadcasting Station. We listened to a talk on a topic “What has been 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake from a media press perspective?” This was a great opportunity for the students to think about what we can do in Japan where natural disaster frequently occurs.
Day 2
The students interacted with high school students at Wajima high school in Ishikawa prefecture who work on a school project called “Machi Pro” (a project for revitalization of the city). This exchange was valuable for participants to exchange ideas and share experiences.
Day 3
Lecture and workshop: preparation for natural disaster
The students had a chance to think about what roles they can play when a disaster occurs. They tried to prepare a special meal and occasional paper slippers under the emergency occasion They learned the importance of self-help, mutual assistance, and public help.
Day 3 – 4
Lecture and workshop: Energy education in Mihama Town, Fukui
In Mihama town, we visited Mihama Nuclear Power Plant, boarded a battery-powered boat and attended workshop at Kiipas (Energy education facility). The students learned a current situation of Mihama town which owns nuclear power plants.
Day 5
The students did a presentation on a topic “Our original actions to establish a society where everyone can shine” The titles of their presentations were “Question the obviousness of prejudice,” “Intermediaries,” “Third-party connections,” and “Goal-oriented supporting fave activities.”
The Comments of the students
Student A from Endeavor program 2024
The most impressive thing is the feeling of personal growth. In the past programs, I sometimes had to conform to the opinions of others in group discussions or pretend to understand even if they were vague. In this program, I was able to express my thoughts and feelings as they were and ask questions whenever I had any doubts.
Student B from Japan Future Scholarship Program 2024
I felt the scars of the disaster firsthand, and even though it was painful, I could not take my eyes off the disaster. I would like to take some action for my children in the future, but I felt helpless in the face of the disaster. In order to alleviate this situation, I would like to raise my awareness of disaster prevention.
Throughout the five days, each student seriously considered how to prepare for possible disasters in the future and what they could do. These five days were very meaningful for their future and for the future of society.
We would like to thank the many people who helped make this program possible.