Gifu Collaborative Activities between Community and School Forum 2025 Held
On September 16, 2025, the Gifu Center for collaborative activities between communities and schools (short for 'GIFU CCCS') hosted the Gifu Collaborative Activities between Community and School Forum 2025.
The GIFU CCCS was jointly established by the Gifu Prefectural Government and Gifu University in 2019 with the aim of supporting and promoting region-school collaboration activities in communities, municipalities, and schools, thereby supporting the growth of children through community-wide efforts and revitalizing the community.
The forum is held on a regular basis to share academic knowledge and practical information associated with region-school collaboration activities within Gifu Prefecture. It targets stakeholders involved in region-school collaboration. This year, the Forum 2025 was attended by 216 participants, including those actively engaged in region-school collaboration, municipal administrative staff, social education staff, and school personnel across Gifu Prefecture.
In the first half of the forum, Ms. YOTSUYANAGI Chinako, a Community School Promotion Officer at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Chief School-Community Promotion Officer in Mitaka City, Tokyo, delivered a keynote speech titled "What We Can Do Now for the Future of Our Children - Realizing Genuine Collaboration Between Schools and Communities." Participants shared impressions such as:"I resonated with the idea that we are not just 'helping' or 'cooperating,' but rather becoming partners in raising children.""I understood the importance of schools clearly presenting their vision, sharing not only successes but also challenges and building relationships where we think together. It's also clear that the principal's management skills are crucial. For communities, having a sense of responsibility and engaging in dialogue with schools to co-create education is essential."
In the second half, Mr. TACHI Akihito from the Gero Elementary and Junior High School Management Council presented on the theme "Raising Local Children in the Community - Through 'Neyako1' Learning," introducing activities where the community supports junior high school students' workplace learning experiences. Feedback included:"A wonderful initiative that utilizes community assets. Rather than simply supporting children, the community shares the goal of respecting them as members of society and watching over their growth."
Through the keynote and practical presentations, the forum provided a valuable opportunity to learn concrete strategies for shifting the relationship between schools and communities from "support" to "collaboration." Finally, GIFU CCCS Director, Professor MASUKAWA Kouichi, reported on the center's achievements.
The GIFU CCCS will continue to hold forums and training sessions to promote and expand school-community collaborative activities.
1) The Neyako system is a traditional communal living practice. It is a form of social education and community bonding that dates back centuries. Under this system, children join a group of peers and live together at the home of a respected elder in the community.
