Japanese Citizenship Education
The 22th Japanese Association for Civic Education Annual Conference
Report (PDF-Version: 316 KB)by Nobushige Imatani, Professor at Tezukayama University, Japan and President of the Japanese Association for Civic Education and President of the Japan Association of Global Education
The conference entitled "Improvement of language activities in civic education: on the viewpoint of comparison of Japan and USA" took place on 18th June 2011 at the Faculty of Education, Ehime University, Japan. More than 120 participants contributed to the educational programme.
The Fundamental Law of Education in Japan was revised in 2006, and the Course of Study was revised in 2008. The new educational practices on the basis of this new course of study started in April 2011. Regarding the current state in this country, it has been said that our society is facing a major crisis. It points out that
- changes for the lives of individuals in the population composition due to a declining birth rate
and an aging society and changes in families and local society are causing a decline in vitality
in our society.
- The quantity of information provided to society, transferring knowledge to society, progress in
globalisation, advances in science technology and severe global environmental issues have
all increased.
- Although there has been a slight improvement, the prolonged stagnant economy and the course of changes in industrial and working structures has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of people leaving or retiring from work, there are now difficulties for new graduates in obtaining employment, and difficulties in maintaining stable employment. Due to such situations, as illustrated by typical examples of the increased number of Neet, Freeter (permanent part timer), Hikikomori (social withdrawal) individuals, we are seeing that people´s values, which have thus far been directed toward supporting their lives and society, are changing and there are more and more people having a feeling that their future is being "blocked" and losing their sense of ethics or social mission which encourages them to support their own way of living.
The new course of study emphasises the following viewpoints:
- Establishment of reliable school education. Promotion of educational reforms to lead towards a Century of Knowledge.
- Restoration of the ability of families to educate children and promote cooperation/collaboration of schools, homes, and communities.
- Self-actualisation of individuals and fostering individuality, ability, and creativity of individuals.
- Fostering proactive will and attitude to participate in the public. Fostering a sense of civic mindedness in the terms of active participation in the formation of a society, morals and values, and autonomy.
- Fostering respect for Japan´s tradition and culture, love for our homeland and country, as well as the consciousness of being a member of the international community.
- Realisation of a lifelong learning society, response to changes in time and society.
- Emphasize sensitivity and involvement with nature and the environment.
- Clarification of the relationship between occupational life and education.
- Contribution to a gender-equal society.
More information: E-mail to: komingakkai@gmail.com, »http://www.soc.nii.ac.jp/civicedu/« (in Japanese language)
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NECE newsletter 01/12 - Out now!
This edition focuses on Croatia’s accession to the European Union and lobbying in the EU´s "inoffical capital" Brussels. Also, the newsletter informs about this year`s NECE Conference in Córdoba, Spain and the work and aims of the European Forum Alpbach.
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NECE Conference, 21-24 November 2012, Córdoba, Spain
Participation Now! Citizenship Education and Democracy in Times of Change
In the focus of the NECE Conference 2012 there are current concepts of democracy and participation in the face of worldwide processes of change as well as crises in politics, society and economy. The NECE Conference is supposed to pursue the question of what might be an appropriate reaction to these obvious and new questions and developments of crisis – not only in the West. The Conference provides an interdiciplinary platform for a dialogue among multiplicators of citizenship education and civil society in Europe on the one hand and "non-European" countries on the move on the other. Actors particularly from the North African region are invited to tell about their experiences and problems and to initiate a process of learning and exchanging.
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FutureLab Europe, the Council of Young European Citizens
17 FutureLab Europe participants present and debate the findings of their report “One passport, one people? The role of democratic citizenship in building a new Europe" on 26 March 2012 in Brussels. The whole report you can download here.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
We are excited to announce a new opportunity to make your voice heard and let us know your thoughts on an especially pressing issue for today's Europe: social justice. We are interested in your view of justice in your country, justice in Europe and an unconditional basic income. Together with FutureLab Europe and the Körber Foundation we have developed a short survey and now we need YOUR voice. Participate at »www.europeandme.eu/survey« and share!
Your view will help informing a discussing in Belfast in June. And of course we will share the outcomes of the survey and our debate with you.
About "Pilorama Lab"
The European Youth Forum “Pilorama Lab“ is going to take place from July 25-28, 2012 in the City of Perm and on the territory of the Memorial Centre of the History of Political Repressions “Perm36“ (»www.perm36.ru«). Themes will be “Urban Space. Ecology. Civic Participation“, “Ethnic Minorities. Access to Natural Resources. Human Rights“, “Historical Legacy. Political Education. Design“ as well as “Social Entrepreneurship. Businesses and NGOs“. Applications for participation should be submitted before May 15, 2012. More information at: »www.piloramalab.org«
