Global Schools at the “International Symposium: Miyawaki Forests and Urban Forests”

From October 10th-14th, the Global Schools Program took part in the “International Symposium: Miyawaki Forests and Urban Forests”. This first-of-its kind summit was hosted by the G20 Global Land Initiative, the Morino Project, and UNCCD. This summit brought together experts, academics, non-profit organizations, UN leaders, students, and more to build a global community on Miyawaki forests.

During the first two days of the symposium, a series of panel discussions, poster presentations, and workshops were held. Participants showcased a range of regional and local examples of tree planting initiatives, and delegates from 26 countries were in attendance. This also included a presentation by the Global Schools Director, Amanda Abrom, with the vision of including land restoration in the Global Schools Program’s education initiatives.

Over the next three days, delegates participated in experiential learning activities through a series of tours. First, the Global Schools Program attended a seedling production workshop at the Kimitsu Green Center. Next, participants attended a tree-planting ceremony and joined community members and students in planting a Miyawaki forest in a degraded area in Shonan Kokusai Village. Also, delegates visited a forest at Hayama Elementary school, hearing from teachers and students on the impact the forest has made on the environment and the learning community. Finally, teachers planted a forest at Shiroyama Kumano Shrine.