Junkan Fes returns Apr 7, with high school students’ participation

Junkan Fes will be returning next month, April 7, at Umekoji Park’s Shichijo Entrance Plaza, in an effort to engage the younger generation in the practices of recycling and reuse, and to strengthen local connections.

This year’s first Junkan Fes will see a unique participation from local high school students, spurred by a curriculum initiative within Kyoto’s high schools known as “inquiry-based learning.” This educational approach encourages students to set their own research topics, collect and analyze information, and collaboratively work towards solutions. Participating schools include Kyoto Prefectural Rakusai High School, Kyoto Prefectural Sagano High School, and Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, with two more schools finalizing their involvement.

The initiative to involve high school students in the festival stemmed from the realization that while inquiry-based learning encourages students to present their findings, there are limited opportunities for them to apply their solutions in real-world settings. The Recycling Festival aims to bridge this gap, providing a practical platform for students to implement their projects.

In support of this endeavor, Kyoto Daihatsu Sales Co. is contributing to the event by providing its rental mobile sales vehicle, “Nibako,” for the students to use as their booths.

The festival not only aims to highlight the importance of material recycling, such as clothing, but also to emphasize the value of fostering relationships within the community. Previous iterations of the event have successfully facilitated meaningful dialogues between the elderly residents and younger participants, bridging generational gaps and enriching the community fabric.