"Contributing to the development of the region" - Learning together about the charms of the region through cultural impressions-
International Center for Research and Education of Japan Studies, Kanazawa University
Associate Professor Mamadoua, Aida.
Gratitude to the local people - Towards experiential learning that conveys the charms of the region
Associate Professor Aida came to Japan from Azerbaijan about 20 years ago, having been fascinated by Japanese culture since childhood. At first, she was unable to speak Japanese, but the local people supported her very much. As she continued to live in Japan, Associate Professor Aida was deeply sympathetic to Japanese culture, the kindness of the people, and the spirit of hospitality towards visitors. She gradually began to think that she wanted to give back in some way, which led to her current activities at Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (*1) and Tedorigawa Hakusan UNESCO Global Geopark (*2). With the idea of ??"sharing my experiences in Japan with young people and letting them learn about the charms of the region," she is working with international and Japanese students on various activities aimed at the development of the region at Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Tedorigawa Hakusan UNESCO Global Geopark.2In the beginning, he was a student at the Hakusan UNESCO Eco-Park in Tokyo. With the idea of "sharing my experiences in Japan with young people and helping them learn about the region's attractions," I have been working with international and Japanese students on various activities aimed at developing the region in the Hakusan UNESCO Eco Park and the Hakusan Tetorigawa UNESCO World Geopark.
*1 Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: An area designated with the aim of coexistence between nature and human society, spanning four prefectures and seven cities and villages: Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture, Ono City and Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture, and Takayama City, Gujo City, and Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture, centered around Hakusan
*2 Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark: Area thatcovers the entire Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture. Part of the registered area overlaps with the Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 2023, it was recognized as the 10th UNESCO Global Geopark in Japan. A geopark is a natural areas aimed at preserving and utilizing the heritage of the earth and land.
The Community is the Teacher: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Associate Professor Aida is working on experiential education in which the entire community becomes an University and local people become teachers, and students experience sustainable development of the region through these activities. In close cooperation with the NPO Hakusan Shiramine Nature School, she is developing educational activities to convey to students the charm of Hakusan UNESCO Eco-park, which is "made by local people." Local people become teachers and provide students with an opportunity to learn about the traditional culture and lifestyle of the village. Students learn about food culture by actually eating traditional dishes including finger millet (a grain that has been cultivated in the Hakusan region for a long time). They also come into contact with the lives and traditional culture of the local people by experiencing charcoal making and participating in the "Hakusan Festival," which dates back to the opening of Mt. Hakusan. In addition, Hakusan National Park is also a place of learning. Through trekking on Mt. Hakusan, students can experience the charm of the local nature and coexistence with nature.
The educational philosophy that aims to solve the problems of modern society and to achieve integrated development of the environment, economy, and society is called ESD (Education for Sustainable Development). ESD is thought to contribute to the realization of all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. The series of ESD activities led by Associate Professor Aida at Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Global Geopark have been highly praised worldwide, and in 2023, shereceived the UNESCO-Japan ESD Award. "I was very happy not only to have been selected from among applications from over 100 countries around the world, but also that our activities, which we have been carrying out for many years together with local communities, have been recognized globally," says Associate Professor Aida.
I want to contribute to the development of the region together with young people.
When I asked Associate Professor Aida about her aspirations, " My aspiration is to inspire young people to contribute to the regional development." she answered. In Japan, we are now facing the issues of aging and young people leaving their communities. Finding a solution to this problem through ESD activities at Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Tedorigawa Hakusan UNESCO Global Geopark should lead to the resolution of various global issues and sustainable development. Associate Professor Aida's greatest joy is seeing students settle in the community, launching new businesses with their own hands, and starting initiatives to revitalize the community. Through her activities, she has built a deeper relationship of trust with local residents. By including young people in this circle, Associate Professor Aida's activities toward a sustainable local community that coexists with nature will accelerate. I sincerely hope that Associate Professor Aida's passion will greatly contribute to the sustainable development of the local community and contribute to the growth of young people who will create the world of the future.
(Yuko Mitera, Science Writer)
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