On the two days of October 24th, and 25th, the 2019 International Conference on Elementary Teacher Education sponsored by Elementary Education College of Capital Normal University of China, which is one of the exchange agreement partners of Soka University, took place at the university located in Beijing, China. Participants were Soka University Assistant Vice President Masashi Suzuki (Dean of the Faculty of Education), Associate Professor Fangsheng Dong of the Faculty of Education, Associate Professor Norio Suzuki of the Graduate School of Teacher Education, and 7 students.

The conference was attended by over 300 researchers and educators, including researchers from 10 countries such as the United States, France, Australia, Finland, and South Korea. Under the theme of “Involving, Dialoguing, Sharing,” the participants gave presentations and held discussions on how elementary school teachers should be fostered and trained in the upcoming age.
Assistant Vice President Suzuki gave an invited lecture at the overall meeting. He introduced the history and philosophy of Soka Education, founded by Dr. Makiguchi, who placed the happiness of the learners as the foremost priority. Assistant Vice President Suzuki also reported on how outstanding teachers have been fostered one after another. Base on the philosophy of humanistic education, these teachers do their best to contribute to the community and aim for world peace through various engagements on teacher education at Soka University.

Associate Professor Fangsheng Dong and Associate Professor Norio Suzuki gave presentations at the sub-committee meetings respectively with students of the Graduate School of Teacher Education. He reported about the comparative class research on elementary schools in Japan and China, which was held over the course of many years with the cooperation of Capital Normal University, as well as education practices at the Graduate School of Teacher Education that aims to repeat the back and forth process between theory and practice.

In addition to Capital Normal University, Soka University Faculty of Education and Graduate School of Teacher Education promote many exchanges with Chinese universities such as Nankai University and the Beijing Institute of Education. They welcome faculty and students from China every year and conduct training, aiming for further development of research and education through international exchange.