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Sustainability Weeks 2011 Events and Activities
Symposium on Indigenous People and Education
Overview
Report
| Date |
Wednesday, 2 November, 2011
Start at 10:00 (Finished) |
| Organizer |
The Finnish Institute in Japan Hokkaido Office |
| Co-host |
Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies |
| Venue |
Hokkaido University Conference Hall |
- Language:Japanese/English (Translation will be provided)
- Intended Audience:Researchers, General public, College Students
| Outline |
Finland is known as one of the world’s most developed countries in the field of education, and runs unique educational programs relating to indigenous peoples. In Japan, the importance of education involving the language and culture of the Ainu is also attracting attention. The morning session here will involve discussion of effective and sustainable cultural sharing with focus on the dissemination of ethnic culture in local communities (including those of indigenous peoples) and particular emphasis on such dissemination in school education. The afternoon session will highlight language – a core element of ethnic culture – and explore the potential for language education in schools and via the media. Check Agenda for more details.
This is an event of “Hokkaido-Finland, A Bridge for Northern Cooperation“.
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| Registration |
Not-required. |
| Fees |
Free |
| Contact |
The Finnish Institute in Japan Hokkaido Office Contact: Tyriseva Martina
TEL: +81-(0)11-726-2000 FAX: +81-(0)11-726-2005
E-mail: martina.tyriseva@finstitute.gr.jp
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Report
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The Symposium on Indigenous People and Education held on November 2nd, was a great success. It was the last day of the Hokkaido-Finland Days event and brought together researchers and participants from Norway, Finland and Hokkaido.
In the morning session, the speakers focused on the indigenous knowledge transmission in local communities and how environmental conservation survey could help acquiring skills on indigenous culture to further transmit this knowledge to the children. Furthermore, the participants showed different examples on the collaboration between universities, indigenous people, and local communities, as for example the networks in programs of circumpolar health and wellbeing at the University of Oulu. They also explained how indigenous people enter higher education in Japan, how the indigenous language is being used in the Saami University College and how to attract students to study about the indigenous culture, law, journalism, etc. The afternoon session focused more on the challenges of education and on the role of the media to preserve the indigenous language. The language revival was a strong theme discussed by all our invitees, especially on the possibilities of reviving a language through several generations even when the number of potential speakers is extremely low.
This event provided a ground for exchange between our three northern regions of Finland, Norway and Japan. It created the opportunity for the local community from Nibutani to start a joint project with Vardobaiki Sami Centre in the near future. Arja Rautio from Thule Institute at Oulu University proposed a program for student exchange and she is ready to welcome people from Hokkaido University for summer or winter schools for example. We further discussed the possibilities to organize a language nest seminar in 2012 with partners from Finland, Norway and Japan- the organization committee is to be selected soon. At last, the international indigenous radio network meets every year in March. The Director of FM Nibutani Pipaushi Radio as well as Ainu youth interested in media are warmly invited to join the meeting to be held in Norway in March 2012.
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