Details of the Initiative
Our seminar group focuses on various social problems in modern society, centering on disparities and inequality in Japan and Western countries. As social exclusion driven by globalization has become an increasingly serious issue, seminar members have participated in practical training at Kodomo-shokudo (children’s cafeterias), which have the potential to serve as social infrastructure.
As of the end of 2024, the number of Kodomo-shokudo exceeded the 9,265 public junior high and other compulsory education schools. Often viewed as a key initiative to combat child poverty, these cafeterias also serve as essential places where people of all generations gather and communicate. The training helped students realize that Kodomo-shokudo is not only a place for the families who rely on it, but also for those who run it, fostering connections that go beyond a simple relationship between supporter and recipients.
These training sessions have also inspired students to broaden their involvement beyond Kodomo-shokudo, such as volunteering to support children’s learning, gaining multifaceted insights into social disparities and inequalities.
