#Japan #Kobe #Learning Support #MetLife Foundation #BE KOBE

Supporting Children’s Learning – MetLife Foundation Learning Support Award 2025

MetLife Insurance Company, led by CEO Dirk Osteen, proudly announces the first-ever BE KOBE MetLife Foundation Learning Support Award, set to take place on September 6, 2025. This initiative is conducted in collaboration with the Daikichi Foundation and the BE KOBE Mirai Project.

The award aims to establish a prestigious platform for honoring educational support organizations, thereby providing quality assistance to children through the Daikichi Foundation's evaluation processes. By recognizing groups that tackle educational challenges faced by economically and environmentally disadvantaged children, the award seeks to enhance the quality and sustainability of support for young learners, ultimately boosting the educational capacity of the community as a whole.

The event will welcome approximately 90 attendees, including students, educators, businesses, local government representatives, and community members, who will engage in passionate discussions about the future of children's learning.

Event Overview

Name: BE KOBE MetLife Foundation Learning Support Award 2025
Date: September 6, 2025 (Saturday), 13:00 – 17:00
Venue: Anchor Kobe (Hankyu Building, 15F, Kobe Sannomiya)
Organizers: Daikichi Foundation, BE KOBE Mirai Project
Supported by: Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe Shimbun, Kobe City Council of Social Welfare
Website: kobe-gakusyushienaward.com

Highlights of the Event

During the event's cross-talk session, practitioners, researchers, and government officials will discuss the future of learning support, exploring challenges and prospects from various perspectives. In group discussions, participants will engage in lively exchanges across diverse themes, further enriching the dialogue. The presentation and award ceremony will showcase five selected organizations, where they will share their activities and outcomes. Outstanding initiatives will be recognized through evaluations by a panel of judges.

MetLife Foundation Award (Gold) Winners

1. NPO Seeds of Tomorrow
2. NPO After-School Learning Volunteer Support Association

Comments from NPO Seeds of Tomorrow:
“It's incredibly rewarding to receive this recognition as we strive to support local children by connecting them with local alumni. We aim to expand our impact further, and your continued support is greatly appreciated.”

Messages from MetLife Insurance

Employees from MetLife will actively participate in the award adjudication and event management. Kobe Site Leader Koji Shinoda remarked, “Celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Kobe site this year, it is a source of pride for us to connect more deeply with the local community and contribute to expanding the possibilities for children.”

Looking Towards the Future

This award is expected to amplify the voices of practitioners working diligently in the learning support field, thereby encouraging the expansion of collaborative support initiatives. Both the MetLife Foundation and Daikichi Foundation are committed to working alongside the community to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities for all children.

MetLife Insurance continues to contribute to the sustainable development of communities under its mission: “Walking together toward a more certain future.”

About MetLife Foundation

Established in 1976, the MetLife Foundation continues the tradition of deep community engagement, partnering with non-profit organizations while encouraging employee volunteerism. It focuses on three key areas: economic inclusion, financial health, and strong communities, having provided over $1 billion in support till date. Visit MetLife Foundation for more information.

About MetLife Insurance

Initiating operations in Japan as the first foreign life insurance company in 1973, MetLife Insurance, now a leading member of the global MetLife group, continually strives to provide optimal coverage for our clients through innovative products offered across multiple sales channels. More details can be found at MetLife Japan.

About Daikichi Foundation

The Daikichi Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support in food, education, and experiential activities for children facing difficulties, while creating a collaborative framework among local industries, government, academia, and citizen initiatives to address various societal challenges. Visit Daikichi Foundation for further insights.