Participating in the Youth Session of the Japan Geopark Network Convention: Youth Connections as Seeds for Future Geopark Development

On 28 October 2023, Kobayashi and Okita, two members of the Youth Committee of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, participated in the Youth Session of the 13th Japan Geopark Network Convention in Kanto held at Choshi Geopark.

The session, initiated last year by Mr. Marekazu Ono, Chief Researcher of the Mt. Chokai & Tobishima Island Geopark Promotion Council, aims to provide youth nationwide with the opportunity to share their activities whilst rediscovering the value and appeal of their own regional resources.

This year, it was held for the second time at Choshi Geopark. Approximately 36 junior and high school students engaged in activities in geoparks across Japan – including Miné- Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, San’in Coast, Shimokita, Muroto, Hakusan-Tedorigawa, Oki, Zao, Choshi, and Shimane Peninsula and Shinjiko Nakaumi Estuary – gathered together and undertook a walking tour of Choshi City, completing assigned missions designed to deepen their understanding of the characteristics of the place from diverse perspectives.

Following the tour, the students held a discussion centred on Choshi’s attractions and challenges, as well as possible ways to sustainably utilize local resources. Ideas proposed to further revitalise the Choshi area included introducing a bike-sharing system and creating a stamp collecting promotion at local shops.

We would like to introduce some of the reports written by the students who participated in this youth session (some parts have been omitted due to space constraints).

A Student at Chiba Prefectural Choshi Commercial High School:

It was very refreshing and enjoyable to learn about things and places I didn’t even know existed in my own local area. Moreover, when discussing local issues, it was challenging but fun to hear innovative ideas and views, realise some of these had already been implemented, observe insufficiencies in information dissemination, and review each group’s answers to assigned topics. While touring the town with participants from other regions, it was fascinating to see the various differences among us according to locality.

Participating in this geopark event allowed me to deepen my understanding of the importance of human connections. I started to feel this when I heard stories from the teacher about business representatives. Hearing about regional characteristics and activities across prefectural borders was a very valuable experience. I felt the beauty of Choshi city when I strolled around there after experiencing the Choshi Electric Railway train ride. I believe visitors from other prefectures noticed many charming points they wouldn’t have noticed without walking around, such as the preserved buildings and richness of nature.

There was something really intriguing about the Choshi scenery, including the views from the fishing port, the roads, and the streetscape. We experienced those firsthand, explored what makes Choshi unique and discussed potential ways to revitalise it while connecting with one another through social media. I’m sure this experience will have a huge impact on my future activities and way of thinking. I am keen to participate in similar events in the future should they arise.

After arriving at Chiba Institute of Science, we had the opportunity to exchange opinions on various topics based on our fieldwork, including the challenges that we found that need to be addressed to revitalise Choshi. Among these, we addressed Choshi’s limited transportation links, which included the time required to Choshi as well as the scarcity of buses that makes getting around difficult. Consequently, we suggested possible solutions, such as increasing sea routes to Choshi rather than just relying on land routes, and installing bike rental stations throughout the city.

In addition, given the recent popularity of visitors wanting to see the filming locations for TV dramas and music videos, we proposed ways for Choshi to capitalise on this. As such, we had a very fulfilling time exchanging plenty of views and ideas. I believe that, through interacting with people from other prefectures, we succeeded in discussing the issues free from our preconceptions. I would very much like to participate again if the opportunity arises.

A Student at Shimane Prefectural Oki High School

This session was truly stimulating for me because I learned many new ideas by exchanging opinions with other high school students from different regions. In their presentations, I found things I could use in our activities, while it was such a pleasure to receive so much feedback from them after my presentation. Furthermore, it was a great opportunity to make many new connections by talking with a wide variety of people.

We first learned from a walking tour about different kinds of geopark-related natural resources in Chiba Prefecture, then followed that up by considering and sharing ways to utilise and protect these resources. I thought that it would be great if all of us could adopt this kind of process, whatever activities they undertake in the geoparks! To that end, I resolved to reflect on the importance of communicating ideas to those around me while engaging in my activities.

It was truly enjoyable being part of this entire event, as I learned a great deal, such as encountering perspectives different from mine and the new ideas born out of them. I met some fellow students and adults who were undertaking similar initiatives to ours, as well as quite a few others who saw things a little differently. Other significant things I learned include how Oki Island, where I live, might be perceived from an outsider’s point of view, as well as taking an active approach to identify differences between my own region and others. Through the exchanges I had during the Youth Session, I made new friends and connections. To restate, by teaching me the importance of speaking up and making human connections, the Youth Session was truly a wonderful experience.

A Student at Ishikawa Prefectural Tsurugi High School

It was my first time visiting the Hakusan-Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, especially the coastal are, although I had previously participated in activities related to its “Journey of Water” program during the national convention. This experience was meaning for me, as I was able to learn the differences and strengths of different regions. The fieldwork part allowed me to develop friendly connections with different people of the same generation from other regions and directly appreciate the scenery of Choshi.

Thanks to gaining various new knowledge and experience, I was able to identify ways to improve our activities at Tsurugi High School. As a specific point for improvement, I found that the current approach and content of my activity for the geopark should be strengthened for presentation. I also realised we need to increase our direct involvement in revitalising the local area. More planning should be done from now on, since I am in the second year of high school, when students have a little more free time. These three days made me see how much I was actually working for the geopark and differences between myself and other students from different regions. Through the activities, I could see that there were aspects we should cherish and others that we should change, and that they were still far from perfect. In order to make  my school a place where everyone can get participate in and enjoy the activities, I would like to think about the best ways to create a good atmosphere. I really appreciated this trip to Choshi, during which I was able to enjoy learning the differences between geoparks in mountainous areas and those by the ocean.

From the reports by high school students who participated in the Youth Session (excerpts)

Finally, one of the most unique points of this year compared to last year’s session was the words spoken by the coordinator, Mr.  Ono: “Above all, the most important thing for everyone who gathered here today is to make friends with one another”.

This time we participated in the Youth Session alongside high school students, confirmed my belief that connections forged between young people will be the seeds that further the development of geoparks ten or twenty years from now. To ensure these seeds, grown through such opportunities as this session, blossom in the future, we hope that the Youth Committee of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO will become the driving force that fuels the enthusiasm among young people.