This document summarizes an education initiative in Fujita, Japan that promotes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through collaboration between local schools, community organizations, and citizens. The initiative establishes common themes for curriculum across three elementary schools, and links this to the curriculum at the local junior high school. Students learn skills like communication, self-respect, and academics, while also engaging with their community through projects, experiences at local organizations, and helping to address issues like the environment and agriculture. The schools partner with Okayama University and the city of Okayama to strengthen education through a holistic and collaborative approach, with the goal of developing independent and engaged young citizens.

1. Children of Fujita:
Learn in a Community and Develop the Future
RCE Award 2015
Outstanding Flagship Project

2. Fujita Daiichi
Elementary School
Koyo High School
Fujita
Junior High School
Fujita Daisan
Elementary School
Fujita Daini
Elementary School
Fujita Kominkan
Local Citizens
Support
Okayama University
Cooperation
Okayama city
Okayama ESD Promotion Commission
Fujita ESD Promotion Commission (2011-)
Structure of ESD Promotion in Fujita Area1

3. ～地域の特色を生かした単元づくり～
藤田中学校区３小学校 総合的な学習の時間 共通テーマ
Grade Common themes
3rd ‘Let’s find treasures of Fujita! ‘ Community Study
4th ‘What is trash?’ Environment
5th ‘Is agriculture needed in Fujita? ‘ Food and Agriculture
6th ‘What is happiness?’ International Understanding
Common Direction of 3 elementary schools’ curriculum
Children of Fujita:
Learn in a community and develop the future
Communication
Skills
Self Respect
Basic Academic
Skills
2

4. 5th Grade
Is agriculture needed in Fujita?
(Food and Agriculture)
Elementary
Schools
3
Linkage of the curriculums of Elementary and
Junior High schools
Workplace Experience
Project
Full of Flowers’ Project
Engagement in local community
& Kominkan activities
Human Rights Education
Peace Education
Thinkabout
wayofliving
CareerEducation
Environmental
Education
Engagement
incommunity
JuniorHigh
School
LivingTogether
4th Grade
What is trash? (Environment)
3rd Grade
Let’s find treasures of Fujita!
(Community Study)
6th Grade
What is happiness？
(Intercultural understanding)
4th Grade
Friendly town development
(Social Welfare)

5. s
Local
Communities
Independent Young People
Home/
Parents
EnterprisesKominkan
Education
Board
Learning
Community
Community-based Approach to ESD <Schools>
Okayama City Basic Educational Promotion Plan [ESD Promotion]
Elementary Schools
Middle School
High School
Schools
andTeachers
Okayama’s
Integrated
Educational
System
Enhance
education
vertically
Okayama Child
Raising Regulation
4

6. Learn together with community5

7. Collaboration and Partnership
Issue-oriented
Children/students as actors
for sustainable community and society
Interlinkage
Holistic approach
Mutual learning & actions
Problem-Solving
Curiosity
Future-oriented
And more…
Critical Thinking

8. Support
Okayama University
Fujita Daiichi
Elementary School
Koyo High School
Fujita
Junior High School
Fujita Daisan
Elementary School
Fujita Daini
Elementary School
Fujita Kominkan
Local Citizens
Cooperation
Okayama city
Okayama ESD Promotion Commission
Today’s speakers6

9. Thank you for your attention.