Addressing Global Challenges: A Reflection on Peace Through Refugee Education

On December 16, 2025, approximately 400 individuals gathered at the Ootakanomori Hall in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture, to attend the seminar titled "Addressing Global Challenges: A Reflection on Peace Through Refugee Education," organized by the Nakayoshi Gakuen Project, led by Yuichi Nakamura. The event displayed a strong turnout, including the presence of the Mayor of Nagareyama, highlighting the community's commitment to these crucial topics.

Bridging the Gap Between the World and Everyday Life

The 90-minute presentation allowed the audience to connect the dots between everyday experiences and the global landscape, showcasing the Nakayoshi Gakuen's ongoing educational efforts in South Sudan refugee camps, rehabilitation facilities for child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as educational programs in conflict and disaster-stricken areas like Rwanda and Syria. Participants were introduced to visually impactful presentations, featuring photos and videos that depicted local children learning in environments devoid of standard resources—many without textbooks or desks. Attendees were deeply moved, expressing sentiments such as, "Are they truly able to learn while being happy under such circumstances?" They acknowledged the weight of having easy access to education, reflecting, "I felt the importance of 'having school as a norm.'"

Redefining Human Rights and Peace

The discussion also shifted from abstract notions to tangible community issues, addressing how human rights and peace are not merely problems of distant lands, but intertwined with local realities like disaster management and community relationships. Nakamura explained the transition of viewing human rights from a perspective of 'something to be protected' to 'a rule created together.' He emphasized how distant wars draw a line to everyday issues of bullying and discrimination, sharing concrete anecdotes to underscore these connections.

An Engaging Dialogue on Social Challenges

The latter part of the seminar was dedicated to interactive discussions among participants focused on "answers-less problems," tackling critical societal questions:

- "How do we create a shelter that leaves no one behind in the event of a large-scale disaster?"
- "Despite feeling helpless regarding news from warzones, what can we still do as citizens?"
- "I want to portray the world not as a 'sad distant country' but as a place where children share a future with us."

Participants expressed their honest thoughts, and Nakamura responded by stating, "What matters is not having the 'right answers' but continuously holding questions and taking action. The words exchanged today could represent a small step toward community building, disaster preparedness, or education."

By the end of the event, attendees collectively embraced the notion that each individual plays a role in promoting human rights and peace.

Expanding Nakayoshi Gakuen's Initiatives

In addition to the Nagareyama seminar, the Nakayoshi Gakuen had already delivered a talk titled "Creating Future with Children: Rights Education" at the Gifu Prefecture's Yorozu Town on December 6, 2025. This event inspired attendees to rediscover local values while engaging in a cycle of 'learn, think, act,' connecting them to global contexts.

On December 13, they spoke at the 'Learn About Japan' event in Yushima Tenjin, Tokyo, under the theme "Contemplating Peace from the Global Perspective: Education for a Radiant Future with Children." They introduced the 'Learning Project Connected to the World', aiming not only to appreciate Japanese culture but also to weave it into children's education worldwide.

Through such efforts, Nakayoshi Gakuen aspires to facilitate opportunities for schools, local governments, and communities across Japan to reflect on human rights and peace as personal responsibilities, operating under the motto of "From wishing for peace to acting for peace."

Future Directions

The Nakayoshi Gakuen plans to compile the questions and opinions related to disaster preparedness and human rights gathered during the Nagareyama seminar for future reflection in their 'Learning Connected to the World' programs and fieldwork both domestically and internationally. They remain open to lecture requests and collaborations with local governments, schools, and citizen organizations, striving to enrich the networks of human rights and peace education both locally and globally.

A Message from the Representative

"When confronted with news of wars and disasters, it is easy to feel helpless. However, witnessing the community's engagement at today's seminar made me realize, 'Peacebuilding has already started from here.'

Both human rights and peace are not solely determined in distant places; they stem from individual efforts to 'seek knowledge,' 'keep thinking,' and 'take small actions.' The Nakayoshi Gakuen will persist in providing learning experiences that enable individuals to realize, 'I possess the power to bring happiness to someone.'" — Yuichi Nakamura, Representative, Nakayoshi Gakuen Project.

About the Organization

- Name: Nakayoshi Gakuen Project (NPO)
- Leader: Yuichi Nakamura
- Location: Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture
- Activities: Educational support in conflict and impoverished regions in 10 countries, humanitarian assistance, and overseeing the 'Learning Connected to the World' project linking Japanese schools with overseas initiatives, among other peace education dissemination efforts on international stages such as the United Nations and Windsor Castle.