#Japan #Tokyo #MEXT #International Baccalaureate #IB Education

The 11th International Baccalaureate Symposium Online

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan is hosting the 11th International Baccalaureate (IB) Symposium aimed at educators, students, and parents interested in IB education. The online event, titled "Fostering Lifelong Skills through IB Education: Insights from Best Practices," will explore how IB education cultivates essential life skills in children and how these skills can be utilized in their future endeavors.

Event Overview

Scheduled for August 23, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:20 PM JST, the symposium will be held online via Zoom and is free to attend. Participants can join from anywhere in the nation, providing an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in IB education.

This symposium serves multiple purposes: it will present keynote speeches, research reports, and discussions featuring IB graduates, thereby shedding light on the principles and practices of IB education. This year, the symposium will emphasize practical IB educational methods and approaches that schools without IB programs can incorporate, offering concrete examples for implementation.

Keynote Speakers and Sessions

The event will kick off with opening remarks from:

• - Naoko Hirayama, Director of the International Affairs Office, MEXT
• - Ashish Trivedi, Head of Government Partnerships at the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
• - Hiromi Dokati, Head of the MEXT IB Education Promotion Consortium

Keynote Address

The keynote will be delivered by Rin Kobayashi, President of UWC ISAK Japan, focusing on “The Skills and Qualities Children Need for the Future.” This insightful discussion is expected to set a thought-provoking tone for the day.

Research Insights

Following the keynote, Akihiro Fujita from Tsukuba University will provide a report on the “Educational Effects of IB,” presenting key findings about the benefits of IB education.

Alumni Panel Discussion

A panel discussion featuring IB graduates will take place, moderated by Naoko Endo from the MEXT IB Education Promotion Consortium. The conversation will revolve around “What We Learned from IB,” allowing alumni to share their experiences and the impact of IB on their life paths.

Practical Workshops

The latter part of the symposium includes specialized sessions:
1. PYP Implementation Reports: Stories from kindergartens focusing on early learning and well-being, presented by Kaoru Kamikura from Machida Kobato Kindergarten.
2. MYP Collaborative Reports: Insights on designing and implementing interdisciplinary units from Thomas Belshaw at Sapporo Kaisei School.
3. High School Collaboration Reports: Discussions on how IB education connects to future pathways for students led by Hideaki Matsuzaki from Meikei Gakuen.
4. IB Approaches for Non-IB Schools: A workshop dedicated to integrating IB educational methodologies in lesson planning, presented by Toshifumi Shinmeisho from Kagoshima Shuyukan School.

About the IB and MEXT IB Education Promotion Consortium

The IB program, developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), based in Geneva, Switzerland, aims to create a generation of globally-minded individuals through four educational programs: PYP (Primary Years Program), MYP (Middle Years Program), DP (Diploma Program), and CP (Career-related Program). The MEXT IB Education Promotion Consortium, established in 2018, supports the adoption and dissemination of IB education in Japan to nurture global talents.

For more details and to register for the symposium, please visit: Event Registration Link.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your understanding of IB education and learn how to implement its principles within your educational environment. We look forward to seeing you online!