#Japan #Sapporo #Eco Club #Sapporo Environment #Adocom

New Partnership to Enhance Children's Environmental Activities in Sapporo

In an inspiring move aimed at promoting environmental awareness and education among children in Sapporo, three key organizations have entered a partnership agreement to implement the innovative "Sapporo Environmental Action Cycle Model." The agreement involves the Japan Environmental Association, the Sapporo Youth and Women’s Activity Association, and Adocom, Inc. Under this agreement, the three organizations aim to establish a robust social framework that will enhance children's environmental activities and foster a continuous cycle of engagement among the youth in the region.

The Eco-Chil Club, which is an active platform for children's environmental initiatives, plays a crucial role in this endeavor. Designed to empower children aged 3 to 18, the club provides support for their voluntary and sustained environmental conservation activities and education, collaborating with various stakeholders such as local governments, businesses, and NGOs to promote sustainable practices.

Through the establishment of the new educational model, the partners aim to create a participatory platform that will inspire children to engage in environmental activities and connect with a wider network across the nation. The initiative will include operating the Eco-Chil Club, disseminating information about accessible environmental programs and events, and facilitating collaboration between local environmental activities and the national Children's Eco Club network.

The Sapporo Environmental Action Cycle Model

Sapporo is home to a variety of environmental activities conducted by schools, businesses, and non-profits. To better share and support these initiatives, the "Eco-Chil Club" was created as an interactive platform that encourages collaboration among children’s environmental activities. Managed and developed by Adocom, this platform aims to increase visibility for local efforts while connecting them to the broader national network of the Children's Eco Club.

The Eco-Chil Club enables families, schools, local organizations, and businesses in Sapporo to freely post and share their environmental activities. Unique to this platform is an AI-assisted feature that helps users generate written narratives from uploaded photos, making it easier for anyone to participate and contribute their stories. This seamless integration creates an entry point into the environmental action cycle for children and their families.

Roles of the Participating Entities

• - National Backbone: The Japan Environmental Association acts as the national office for the Children's Eco Club, providing support to foster environmental activities across the country. They respond to reports from clubs with motivational messages from experts to enhance children’s motivation and progress in their activities.
• - Local Engagement: The Sapporo Youth and Women’s Activity Association focuses on working directly in the community. They support children's practical environmental activities through programming at child activity centers and the Sapporo City Environmental Plaza, guiding and assisting participants.
• - Facilitating Participation: Adocom utilizes environmental education media such as Eco-Chil and the Eco-Chil Club to further promote visibility of environmental activities and foster a community of participation.

About Sapporo Youth and Women’s Activity Association

Established on April 1, 1980, the Sapporo Youth and Women’s Activity Association is dedicated to fostering the healthy development of youth and encouraging women’s participation in society. Their mission aligns with the aspiration that youth engage in vigorous activities with a pioneering spirit and women contribute to nurturing a community based on compassion and volunteerism. The association adapts its programs to the evolving societal values, offering opportunities for engagement and self-expression.

About Adocom Inc.

Founded in Sapporo in 2001, Adocom is an advertising agency celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Focused on addressing social challenges related to children, the environment, and education through communication initiatives, they launched the Eco-Chil program in 2006 which promotes environmental consciousness. Adocom has been recognized with numerous awards from national and local governments for their dedication to environmental education initiatives, working collaboratively with various entities in the sphere of environmental sustainability. Their flagship publication, the Eco-Chil magazine, aims to create a culture of environmental awareness amongst children while engaging their families, distributing approximately 1.55 million copies monthly in schools across Japan.

About the Children’s Eco Club

Founded in 1995 by the Ministry of the Environment, the Children's Eco Club has evolved under the management of the Japan Environmental Association since 2011. Supporting about 100,000 children annually, it encourages hands-on environmental activities and learning in communities across Japan. With over 3.17 million children participating to date, the initiative aims to empower youth to take action for a sustainable future.

For more information about the Children's Eco Club, please visit their website.