#Japan #Okinawa #ACE #Uruma #Children's Rights

New Workshop on Children's Rights in Okinawa

In an innovative initiative launching on October 24, 2025, NPO ACE, based in Taito, Tokyo, is set to unveil a new Children's Rights Workshop Facilitator Training Course. This program aims to create a society where children can express their individuality and voice their opinions safely.

The dual-format course will be held in person in Uruma City, Okinawa, and online, engaging participants in learning how to communicate children's rights effectively to kids. Currently, ACE is actively seeking participants for this unique opportunity, as well as welcoming media coverage. The inaugural session on October 24 will take place in Uruma City.

Purpose and Background

Are you interested in becoming a facilitator who communicates children's rights in elementary schools or local community centers? Recognizing the need for increasing awareness about these rights, ACE developed the Workshop on Me and My Rights in 2023. This program has already reached 349 children across four primary schools in Uruma City through the Okinawa Umanchu Children’s Rights Promotion Project.

Our ability to affect change is limited when we operate alone. To expand our outreach, we strive to train facilitators who will work alongside us to inform a larger number of children about their rights.

Workshop Overview

The workshop focuses on empowering children to understand their rights, build their self-esteem, express themselves, and speak their minds. Utilizing the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), participants will learn to identify their feelings and underlying needs while discussing everyday situations to educate children about their rights. The primary target audience includes students in upper grades of elementary school.

Past Workshop Successes

Previously held workshops in elementary schools have seen children actively engaging with the concept of their needs, articulating their thoughts, and actively participating in their rights education. You can read more about these previous workshops in our report.

Training Course Details

The training will consist of six sessions that include both foundational and practical components. Completing the program will certify participants as facilitators, enabling them to conduct workshops. Focused on schools and educational environments primarily in Uruma City, this course will guide new facilitators in their roles.

Schedule

• - Foundational Phase

- Session 1: October 24, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:40 PM (registration begins at 9:45 AM)
- Location: Uruma Marche Conference Room, Uruma City, Okinawa
- Overview: Introduction and workshop experience

Following the training, participants will have the opportunity to socialize over lunch (packed lunch required) and take part in an NVC experience session (optional).

- Session 2: November 6, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Online via Zoom)
- Topic: Understanding Children's Rights by ACE's Tanayuki

- Session 3: November 29, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Online via Zoom)
- Topic: Essential Qualities of a Facilitator by ACE's Narita

• - Practical Phase

- Sessions 4 & 5: January - February 2026 (anticipated)
- Locations: Various elementary schools around Uruma City
- Focus: Practical experience conducting workshops as a supporter or facilitator

- Session 6: Late February to March 2026 (anticipated)
- Location: Online
- Focus: Reflection meeting and certification ceremony

Participation Information

• - Capacity: 20 participants
• - Fees: Free of charge
• - Organizer: NPO ACE
• - Collaboration: Okinawa Umanchu Children’s Rights Promotion Project
• - Funding: Daito Kentaku Mirai Foundation
• - Application Form: Click Here

Who Should Apply?

This workshop is perfect for:

• - Individuals interested in children's rights
• - Those looking to share knowledge about children's rights in schools or local community settings
• - Anyone who wants to experience a hands-on workshop

Media Inquiries

The initial session on October 24 at Uruma Marche will involve participant interactions and learning about children's rights through firsthand workshop experiences. We warmly invite media representatives for coverage of this significant event. For press inquiries, please contact us at the information below.

About the Okinawa Umanchu Children’s Rights Promotion Project

A collaborative effort focused on enhancing the wellbeing of children and youth in Okinawa, this project includes partnerships with NPO Okinawa Youth Independence Center Chura-Yui, URUFULL, and NPO ACE, operating mainly in Naha and Uruma Cities. For more details, visit ACE Japan.

About NPO ACE

Founded in 1997, ACE has dedicated itself to protecting children worldwide from child labor through international cooperation initiatives. Since 2018, we have intensified our efforts to safeguard children's rights within Japan, spearheading the Campaign to Spread the Convention on the Rights of the Child since 2019. We continue to promote public awareness of children's rights and support child safeguarding through workshops and training.

Contact Information for Inquiries

NPO ACE
Contact Person: Akasaka, Aoi
Email: press%acejapan.org (please replace % with @)
Phone: 03-3835-7555 (available Monday to Friday, 10 AM - 5 PM)
Website: ACE Japan