Gifu University Holds a Public Lecture titled 'SDGs × Regional Knowledge Hub: Creating Connected Communities and Universities.'
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, the Gifu University Center for Collaborative Study with Community (CCSC) held an online public lecture titled 'SDGs × Regional Knowledge Hub: Creating Connected Communities and Universities.' The theme this time was 'Work Styles that Achieve Well-being and Regional Revitalization.' On the day, 27 participants, including local government officials and business representatives from Gifu Prefecture, as well as representatives from educational institutions nationwide and local residents, attended.
In the keynote speech, Ms. NISHIDA Megumi, a part-time lecturer at the University of Iceland who resides in Iceland, gave a presentation titled 'The Possibility of Achieving Work-Life Balance in Iceland: Living as a Japanese in Inclusion.' She introduced the cultural background of Iceland and the current state of work-life balance (WLB) there. She also spoke about the various conflicts she experienced while balancing her roles as an educator and researcher with her family life, and the insights she gained through these experiences. In conclusion, she emphasized the importance of 'human rights awareness and mental space to value oneself and others' and 'how one wants to live their own life.'
Next, three speakers gave presentations on local case studies. Mr. MORI Shunsuke from the Juroku Research Institute Co., Ltd. introduced examples of regional revitalization through side jobs and multiple jobs in a presentation titled 'Can Depopulated Areas Be Revitalized with Diverse Work Styles?' Following this, Mr. OTANI Kazuo, the Mino Region Project Manager, spoke on 'New Possibilities for Families and Communities Seen Through Special Nursery School Program,1' discussing the creation of 'related population2' by combining workations and childcare using the special nursery school program. Lastly, Mr. MIYATA Toshio from the Gender Equality and Women's Participation Promotion Division, Health and Welfare Department, Gifu Prefectural Government introduced the 'Work-Life Balance Promotion Excellent Company' certification system recognized by the Gifu Prefectural Government and shared exemplary cases of achieving WLB in local companies in a presentation titled 'Efforts to Promote Work-Life Balance in Gifu Prefecture.'
In the subsequent talk session, Ms. SHIGE Hanako, a third-year student from the Faculty of Education, and Assistant Professor GOTO Seiichi from CCSC exchanged opinions on the theme 'What are the work styles and ways of engaging with the community that realize individual and regional happiness?' They raised issues and made proposals for achieving WLB in the community. In the participant survey, feedback included comments such as "I realized the connection between fulfilling WLB and having mental space" and "I was able to reaffirm that companies with fulfilling WLB are becoming the chosen companies." The public lecture provided a valuable opportunity for participants to consider the possibilities of diverse work styles and community building.
Gifu University will continue to collaborate with the community to aim for the realization of a sustainable society.
1) a program where children attend a nursery school in a different region from where they currently live and stay there with their family. During the stay, they can experience the unique lifestyle of that region and spend time in a nature-rich environment. The purpose of this program is to provide children with natural and cultural experiences, fostering their sensitivity and social skills.
2) Population who engages with a region in various ways without permanently residing there, such as frequent visitors, those with roots in the area, or individuals who have previously lived or worked there. This concept helps address regional challenges by fostering connections and revitalizing communities.
The lecture notes are scheduled to be included in the academic journal ' Chiiki Shikougaku Kenkyuu' Vol.9 (scheduled for publication in March 2025) issued by the CCSC. They will also be available for download from CCSC's website, so please be sure to check them out.
