Soka University has officially joined the UNESCO Associated Schools - the sixth university in Japan and the second private university to receive this recognition

On June 2, 2025, Soka University was officially recognized as a member of the Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) led by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Based on the principle that "the fortress of peace must be built in the hearts of people" (Preamble to the UNESCO Charter), UNESCO Schools is an international educational network that aims to put "peace," "human rights," "sustainable development," and "cross-cultural understanding" into practice in education, and currently has more than 12,000 schools in more than 180 countries around the world. In Japan, it is positioned as a base for promoting ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) and GCED (Global Citizenship Education). Most of the member schools are in primary and secondary education, and in order for a university to become a UNESCO school, it is required to play a leading role in the local movement. It is the sixth university in Japan and the second private university to be a member of the UNESCO School, following Tamagawa University.

In July 2018, Waseda University joined the UNESCO Inter-University Network for Supporting Schools (ASPUnivNet) and established the UNESCO School Support Committee, led by Faculty of Education and Graduate School of Teacher Education. Since then, we have been engaged in a variety of practical activities in cooperation with local communities, such as support for UNESCO school membership, ESD dissemination, teacher training, public lectures, development of teaching materials, and dispatch of student volunteers to primary and secondary educational institutions in Saitama and Gunma prefectures, mainly in northwestern Tokyo. This official membership is the result of these long-standing efforts and is internationally recognized for the deep connection of our educational practices with the principles of UNESCO.

With this official membership as an opportunity, our university, as a teacher training institution, will further promote the following activities in order to disseminate the ideals of UNESCO Associated Schools widely throughout society through the training of teachers who will be responsible for promoting ESD.

■ Strengthening practical education in ESD and GCED, primarily in teacher training courses
We will incorporate ESD and GCED into the curriculum and develop education that will nurture creators of a sustainable society.

■ Developing international exchange and joint projects with UNESCO Associated Schools in Japan and overseas
We promote international mutual learning among students and faculty members and foster a global perspective.

■ Implementing SDGs promotion activities in cooperation with local communities
We will work with local schools, local governments, and citizen groups to solve local issues through ESD.

For details about the activities of the Soka University UNESCO Schools Support Committee to date, please refer to the following page.