Nurturing 5 core competencies to empower the next generation
to flourish and make a positive impact in their communities and the world

Integrating EGAKU into broader learning

Believing in myself: that’s what I want to cherish. When there’s something I want to do, although I think some people are supportive there are usually a lot of doubters who’ll say, ‘Can you really do it? Will it work out ok?’ I want to live my life believing in myself: believing I can do it, that it’ll be ok.　
— High school student (Fukushima, Japan)

I don’t really know what people are thinking and feeling, and I didn’t think I cared much. But doing EGAKU made me want to know more.
— High school student (Tokyo, Japan)

In addition to the ideas I’d been thinking about through the themes of ‘What I value the most’ and ‘Fear’ - being honest with myself and my desire to overcome my fears - this time as I reflected on the theme of 'The Future I Want I Create' it occurred to me that the idea of continuing to strive, putting in the effort is important to me too. I realized I want to bring about a future in which I can honestly say to myself, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could, I gave it my best.　
— High school student (Fukushima, Japan)

Sometimes I get really negative and start thinking everything sucks, and get stuck in a pattern of self-hate. But today, as I was taking a close look at my picture, I realized that I’d actually used some pretty bright colors and it occurred to me that life isn’t all so terrible after all.
— High school student (Tokyo, Japan)

The future I painted was so much brighter and full of hope than I’d imagined. Even when I was painting I was able to maintain that positive feeling and I think I managed to clearly give expression to the beautiful future inside me. The future I painted is a society in which every person can show their true colours and everyone has equal opportunities. In order to realize this future, I think we need to eliminate the roots of discrimination and prejudice, and give everyone the same kinds of choices in their lives.　
— High school student (Fukushima, Japan) 

At first I thought it looked difficult and I was worried if I’d be able to do it. But through this experience I discovered the joy of transforming ‘fear’ and ‘pleasure’ - things that have no shape - into a picture. My range of emotional expression has become richer, I’ve become better at expressing my emotions.　
— High school student (Fukushima, Japan)

... drawing the state of your heart/mind, is almost like an act which frees your heart/mind. I think I’ll be able to carry what I learnt today into the way I live going forward.
— High school student (Nagano, Japan)