Free The Children Japan is an NPO that has worked internationally since 1999 to create, together with children, a world where no one is left behind. It aims for a society in which children's rights are protected and children can live with well-being.
It began when a 12-year-old boy in Canada learned of children who could not go to school because they had to work, and called on his classmates to found "Free The Children." A person in Japan who resonated with this idea founded the Japan branch in 1999, and it is reported that more than 1,500 children and young people are now engaged in social contribution activities.
Its work rests on five pillars: communicating, connecting, nurturing, supporting and spreading. It publishes results such as visiting classes at schools and municipalities (1,307 so far), Take Action Camps (44), study tours (22), and 69 self-reliance support projects in 19 countries in Japan and abroad.
Key points
- Putting into practice in Japan the idea of children supporting children, which began in Canada
- Five pillars of work: communicating, connecting, nurturing, supporting and spreading
- Results shared in numbers, such as 1,307 visiting classes and 22 study tours
Why this organization deserves attention
It does not leave children as those who receive help, but supports them as leading actors who take action. Opportunities to learn about social issues and turn them into action are offered step by step through classes, camps and tours.
It also has many programs that are easy for children and young people to join, such as recruiting participants for a study tour to India. For teachers and parents, it offers clues for thinking about children's rights.
Editor's comment
Many children may be encouraged by the words "children can change the world, too." The adults who stand beside them at that first step are just as important.
The official website has pages for children and youth and information on teaching materials for schools. Why not take a look with your family or at school?