2020年度活動報告

本年度の活動内容

United Nations Understanding (Peace and human rights, environment, sustainable development, climate change, etc.)

KGN sponsored and organized the 30th annual Kansai High School Model United Nations, June – August , originally scheduled for three days at the Kyoto International Conference Center, but moved to an online format due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19.

• Agenda: The Social Impact of Waste (Plastic Waste and Food Waste).
• Over 300 high school students from 11 Japanese high schools participated.
• English event.
• KGN students served as student leaders, participating as pages, delegates, bloc leaders, secretaries and assembly presidents.
• KGN students spent 12 weeks preparing for the KHSMUN. English preparations included: United Nations research, country research, agenda research, presentations and debate.

Kansai High School Model United Nations 2020 link: http://kgn.kufs.ac.jp/MUN/2020/

International Exchange
KGN students and teachers participated in international exchange opportunities both abroad and in Japan; however, due to the COVID-19 situation, many planned exchange programs were either cancelled or postponed. Exchange relationships were maintained with schools in Australia, Canada, Guam, Korea, Malaysia, United States, and New Zealand
UNESCO Club
Due to COVID-19, KGN’s UNESCO club activities in 2020 were heavily reduced; however, club members continue to organize and plan for UNESCO activities for the 2021 school year.

• Club members and teachers participated in the Kinki Region UNESCO School Online Student Forum (Nov. 15th) presenting a video of KGN’s UNESCO High School activities, and joining online discussions on ESD.

KGN’s UNESCO High School Video Presentation link: http://kgn.kufs.ac.jp/info/detail/post_240.html

• Student members also continued to work in cooperation with Kyoto City to translate signs into foreign languages to be placed around Arashiyama guiding tourists on where trash cans are located.

Traditional Culture and Understanding
KGN students participated in both curricular and after-school activities designed to foster an appreciation for Japanese culture and cultural understanding; however, many activities were cancelled due to COVID-19.

• Students in the Course of International and Cultural Studies studied Japanese Tea Ceremony with Omotosenke twice a month.

UNESCO ASPnet Kyoto (Community involvement and ESD activities)

• KGN teachers continue to maintain communication with the ASPnet Kyoto UNESCO High School organization, a group of teachers from 7 UNESCO High Schools in Kyoto, who share resources and ideas on ESD, and organize the annual ASPnet Kyoto UNESCO High School workshop at Kamigamo Shrine. Due to COVID-19, ASPnet Kyoto activities for 2020 were cancelled.

ASPnet Kyoto Workshop 2019 Event link: http://kgn.kufs.ac.jp/info/detail/esd.html

来年度の活動計画

1. KGN teachers and students will continue to maintain communication with various community organizations involved with SDGs, planning to return to active participation in community activities once the COVID-19 situation is brought under control
2. KGN will continue to produce and teach teaching materials focused on SDGs, as students participate in international exchange and Model United Nations activities.
3. Students will continue to learn about Japanese culture in order to share their culture with others in English.
4. KGN’s UNESCO Club will continue to cooperate with the Kyoto UNESCO Association, the Kyoto City Ukyo-ku ward office, and other community organizations to join community events that support SDGs and ESD in the Kyoto area.
5. KGN will continue to cooperate in hosting and organizing regular meetings and events for the ASPnet UNESCO High Schools in Kyoto.
6. KGN will organize and host the 31st annual Kansai High School Model United Nations with the agenda: The Social Impact of COVID-19 on Children.
7. KGN will continue to organize both short-term and long-term exchange programs for students in Canada (Vancouver, Victoria), New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch), the United States (New York City, Boston, and Honolulu), and Malaysia (Penang).