Young Voices, Big Impact: Giis Tokyo At The Edogawa Sdgs Junior Council

December 23, 2025

Young Voices, Big Impact: GIIS Tokyo at the Edogawa SDGs Junior Council

<p>December 2025</p>

<h3 style="color:#aaaaaa; font-style:italic"><span style="color:#e67e22">Global Indian International School (GIIS), Tokyo, was proudly represented at the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council-an initiative led by Edogawa City to promote the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through active youth engagement on 9th November 2025.&nbsp;</span></h3>

<p><strong>About the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council</strong></p>

<p>The Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council is one of Edogawa City&rsquo;s key platforms for advancing the SDGs at the community level. Rooted in the core SDGs principle of <strong>&ldquo;Leave no one behind,&rdquo;</strong> the initiative aligns closely with Edogawa City&rsquo;s vision of a symbiotic society, captured in its motto <strong>&ldquo;Living Together.&rdquo;</strong><br />
The Council serves as a forum where junior high school students can learn about sustainability, social inclusion, and civic responsibility, while also directly engaging with local governance. By encouraging dialogue between students and policymakers, the initiative brings the spirit of the SDGs to life through meaningful participation and shared responsibility.</p>

<p><strong>Objectives of the Initiative</strong></p>

<p>The primary objective of the Council is to deepen students&rsquo; understanding of the SDGs and empower them as future leaders. By providing opportunities for students to ask questions and present proposals directly to the Mayor of Edogawa, the initiative fosters awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion.</p>

<div style="background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;"><strong>GIIS Tokyo Student Interaction with the Mayor</strong></div>

<div style="background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;">Representing GIIS Tokyo student <strong>Itsuki Ando (</strong>Grade 9, CBSE) shared a thoughtful proposal focused on strengthening multicultural coexistence in Edogawa Ward. Highlighting that many foreign residents live in the ward, Itsuki pointed out that opportunities for meaningful interaction between local residents and foreigners remain limited.<br />
The student emphasized the need for inclusive spaces where people of all ages; from children to senior citizens can easily participate in cultural exchange activities. Suggestions included organising multicultural festivals in accessible locations such as parks, schools, and libraries, where participants could experience international food, music, and languages. Itsuki also stressed the importance of practical measures to make daily life more comfortable for foreign residents, such as increasing the use of &ldquo;easy Japanese,&rdquo; expanding English signage, and providing interpretation support at consultation counters.The message underscored that multicultural coexistence does not need to be extraordinary, it can begin in everyday community spaces. The aspiration shared was for Edogawa Ward to continue growing as a place that embraces diversity and ensures safety and comfort for all residents.</div>

<p><strong>Mayor&rsquo;s Response and Ongoing Initiatives</strong></p>

<p>In response, the Mayor of Edogawa Ward introduced the <strong>Multicultural Coexistence Centre at Tower Hall Funabori</strong>, which already hosts a range of international exchange activities for both children and adults. He also shared plans for future initiatives, including workshops on Indian mathematics and multicultural cooking classes, reflecting Edogawa&rsquo;s commitment to cross-cultural learning. The Mayor further highlighted existing multicultural events which&nbsp;play an important role in fostering understanding and connection among residents from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, he outlined Edogawa City&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to create a more foreigner-friendly environment.</p>

<blockquote>
<div style="background:#eeeeee; border:1px solid #cccccc; padding:5px 10px">GIIS Tokyo&rsquo;s participation in the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council reflects the school&rsquo;s strong commitment to sustainability, global citizenship, and student leadership. The exchange demonstrated how young voices can meaningfully contribute to local policy discussions while advancing the shared goal of building inclusive, resilient, and compassionate communities&mdash;truly embodying the spirit of the SDGs.</div>
</blockquote>

December 2025

Global Indian International School (GIIS), Tokyo, was proudly represented at the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council-an initiative led by Edogawa City to promote the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through active youth engagement on 9th November 2025.

About the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council

The Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council is one of Edogawa City’s key platforms for advancing the SDGs at the community level. Rooted in the core SDGs principle of “Leave no one behind,” the initiative aligns closely with Edogawa City’s vision of a symbiotic society, captured in its motto “Living Together.”
The Council serves as a forum where junior high school students can learn about sustainability, social inclusion, and civic responsibility, while also directly engaging with local governance. By encouraging dialogue between students and policymakers, the initiative brings the spirit of the SDGs to life through meaningful participation and shared responsibility.

Objectives of the Initiative

The primary objective of the Council is to deepen students’ understanding of the SDGs and empower them as future leaders. By providing opportunities for students to ask questions and present proposals directly to the Mayor of Edogawa, the initiative fosters awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

GIIS Tokyo Student Interaction with the Mayor

Representing GIIS Tokyo student Itsuki Ando (Grade 9, CBSE) shared a thoughtful proposal focused on strengthening multicultural coexistence in Edogawa Ward. Highlighting that many foreign residents live in the ward, Itsuki pointed out that opportunities for meaningful interaction between local residents and foreigners remain limited.
The student emphasized the need for inclusive spaces where people of all ages; from children to senior citizens can easily participate in cultural exchange activities. Suggestions included organising multicultural festivals in accessible locations such as parks, schools, and libraries, where participants could experience international food, music, and languages. Itsuki also stressed the importance of practical measures to make daily life more comfortable for foreign residents, such as increasing the use of “easy Japanese,” expanding English signage, and providing interpretation support at consultation counters.The message underscored that multicultural coexistence does not need to be extraordinary, it can begin in everyday community spaces. The aspiration shared was for Edogawa Ward to continue growing as a place that embraces diversity and ensures safety and comfort for all residents.

Mayor’s Response and Ongoing Initiatives

In response, the Mayor of Edogawa Ward introduced the Multicultural Coexistence Centre at Tower Hall Funabori, which already hosts a range of international exchange activities for both children and adults. He also shared plans for future initiatives, including workshops on Indian mathematics and multicultural cooking classes, reflecting Edogawa’s commitment to cross-cultural learning. The Mayor further highlighted existing multicultural events which play an important role in fostering understanding and connection among residents from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, he outlined Edogawa City’s ongoing efforts to create a more foreigner-friendly environment.

GIIS Tokyo’s participation in the Edogawa SDGs Junior High School Council reflects the school’s strong commitment to sustainability, global citizenship, and student leadership. The exchange demonstrated how young voices can meaningfully contribute to local policy discussions while advancing the shared goal of building inclusive, resilient, and compassionate communities—truly embodying the spirit of the SDGs.