[8th Meeting] Children’s Voices Fill the Chamber, Bringing Hope for the Future
Message from the Prof. (Kyoju) Mitsu Inaba
In past years, we shared our ideas only with the mayor. But this year is special.
For the first time in the history of the Kids’ Conference, we will share our ideas with both the mayor and the city council members. There are some important things to remember to make a good presentation.
Before you start, say “Hello” or “Nice to meet you” in a loud and cheerful voice. While you are speaking, look forward and speak clearly. At the end, be sure to say, “Thank you very much.” After you finish, listen carefully to what the mayor says. When the council members ask questions, try your best to answer in your own words.
In the morning, we will have rehearsal time. We will make plans together with university students and get ready for the real day. You might feel a little nervous, but think of it just like trying a new game. Have fun and enjoy the challenge!
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a senior university student
Elementary Team A: Let’s Help Everyone Stay Healthy with Bamboo Charcoal Pasta
As a big finish to all the activities we have worked on, we shared our ideas with the mayor and city council members. The kids spoke proudly in their own words about how they want to make Yawata City’s future brighter, and the mayor and council members were impressed. The bamboo charcoal pasta was also a big hit. We heard comments like, “It’s light and tasty!” Next time, we will look back on everything we did this year and have a time to wrap things up. We will keep working hard and make sure to finish in a great way.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a senior university student
Elementary Team B: Zero Illegal Dumping - Let’s Build Yawata’s Future Together
This time, we shared our ideas in front of the mayor and city council members of Yawata City. These were ideas the children talked about many times and worked hard to create together. The children looked at their audience and spoke with confidence. After the presentations, the council members asked many questions. The children did not rely on the university students. They thought by themselves and answered as best as they could. Next time, we will make posters to look back on all our activities. We will keep working hard so we can show good results at the next Children’s Conference too.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by the professor
Elementary Team C: Strawberries Make Yawata City Even More Lovable
As the big finish of our Children’s Conference, we shared our ideas in front of the mayor and city council members. Team C focused on strawberries, which have not gotten much attention, instead of Yawata City’s famous bamboo shoots. They wanted to help people feel closer to Yawata City and like it even more. The team worked with a local strawberry farm and came up with an idea for a hands-on school lunch menu: strawberry milk. They tried many times to adjust the taste and make it better. On the day, the council members who tasted it said, “It’s delicious,” and the kids were able to present with confidence. For the question-and-answer time, we thought university students might need to help, but the children did their best to answer in their own words. It was great to see how hard they tried. This was a special chance for both elementary school students and university students to feel how fun and important it is to talk, try again and again, and turn ideas into real proposals.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a third-year university student
Junior High Team D: Raising Disaster Awareness with “Yawata-Ger Tent (HACHI-Ger Tent)”!!
The junior high students proposed an idea called “HACHI-Ger,” a Mongolian-style tent made from Yawata bamboo, to help people stay safe from rain and wind when a disaster happens. First, the team had a rehearsal. During practice and rehearsal, some of the junior high students were nervous and often looked at their scripts. But in the real presentation, they looked at the mayor and the council members while they spoke. They shared everything they had learned and thought about with all their heart. Afterwards, they said, “We have no regrets,” and that made the university students very happy too. Next time, we would like to review everything we have done and learned in the Children’s Conference so far.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a graduate student
High School Team E: All-in-One Disaster Prevention Karuta (traditinal playing card)
On the day of the mayor’s proposal, both the high school students and the university students were very nervous. They were going to present all the ideas they had talked about in front of the mayor. But once it started, everyone worked together. The high school students shared their thoughts about the community and disaster prevention clearly in their own words. The mayor and the council members listened carefully and nodded while they were speaking. That made us feel like our ideas were really reaching them. The questions and comments from the mayor and council members were fresh and interesting, and we learned a lot from them. Next, we hope that this proposal will help us start real activities in the community, especially for disaster prevention and connecting with others.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a fourth-year university student
A Day When Children’s Voices Touched Our Hearts
Today’s proposals to the city became a special time for many adults to really feel “the future.” People were surprised by the kids’ flexible and creative ideas. They were also impressed by how the kids faced questions without being afraid, showing confidence and growth. The proposals that people could actually taste, like bamboo charcoal pasta and strawberry milk, left a strong impression on the chairperson and council members. Having a place where children are respected and their voices are truly heard, and seeing kids speak up proudly about their own ideas—these moments touched many hearts.
@Yawata Children’s Conference / Created using generative AI as a tool Original photo: Taken by a graduate student