#Japan #community projects #Hino #Hino City #Youth Program

Engaging Youth in Hino City: From Imagination to Reality

Hino City, Japan, has embarked on a unique initiative, the 'Hino City Imagination Realization Department,' aimed at empowering young individuals aged 29 and below. This program invites participants to dig deep into their thoughts and feelings, exploring the questions and discomforts they encounter in their everyday lives, and connecting these insights to broader community challenges.

Over the past two years, the program has encouraged 23 young participants to delve into their surroundings and articulate 21 significant questions that others might find compelling. Not just a theoretical exercise, this project bridges the gap between imagination and actionable steps, culminating in a final report meeting scheduled for February 24, 2024.

A Journey of Inquiry and Action

In the initial phase of the program, participants worked closely with local adults to examine everyday disruptions. This collaborative effort culminated in the creation of questions that not only resonated with the youth but also sparked interest in the broader community. During the second phase, newly recruited youth joined forces with returning members and municipal employees to explore these inquiries further. This collaboration aimed to transition from abstract questions to concrete actions.

To facilitate this process, the young participants utilized various platforms, including the Hino City Community Co-Creation Platform, to gather citizen ideas and even launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure proof-of-concept funding. The results were profound: with substantial community support, three distinct projects conceptualized by the youth were brought to life.

Final Report Meeting: Witness the Transformative Experience

The upcoming final report meeting will be much more than a mere presentation of project outcomes. Young participants will share insights derived from their experiences—examining how imagination originated from feelings of discomfort, reflecting on the on-the-ground experiences within Hino City, and discussing changes in their perspectives toward their community.

Key questions to be addressed include:

• - What discomfort sparked their imagination?
• - How did their experiments and interactions shape their understanding of the community?
• - In what ways have they grown through this process?

Participants will present their findings in their own words, offering insights into the evolution of both the projects and their personal perspectives. This event serves as a platform not only to showcase the journey and results of the projects shaped collaboratively by youth, citizens, and administrative staff but also to connect post-implementation efforts.

Join Us!

We warmly invite all interested individuals to attend this enlightening session, which promises to inspire and foster community engagement. However, please note that pre-registration is required, so make sure to sign up via the provided form.

Details

• - Date: February 24, 2024
• - Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
• - Venue: PlanT (Tamaheiwa Forest Industry Collaboration Center)

Program Schedule (Tentative):

• - Presentations by three project teams detailing their findings
• - Networking session involving participants, visitors, and stakeholders

This meeting stands as an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and determination of the youth while laying the groundwork for future collaborations and community projects. We look forward to seeing you there!