Learning and Playing Week
Dialogue session with educational leaders in World-Shaping - ENVISIONING THE FUTURE 2025 OF EDUCATION Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
Shape New World Initiative
[Hypothesis for the Future in 2050]
The concept of traditional schools, where students of same ages gather, will be transformed into open spaces where individuals actively learn and play as to live their lives fully. In order to explore ideas for realizing this future society, we will invite young leaders active in the education field from around the world as panelists. Based on their practical experiences, we will discuss the role of learning and play in the AI era.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Lifelong learning
- Youth independence
- Entrepreneurship
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Agenda2025
Co-created Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.07.26[Sat]
14:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
By 2050, we hypothesize that the existing school education system will no longer exist, and instead, a flexible educational framework will emerge, allowing individuals to actively choose what and how they truly want to learn and play. To explore ideas for realization of this future, we will host a panel dialogue. The panel will feature global young leaders under the age of 30 who are active in the field of education. The discussion will focus on the theme of "The Future of Education in 2050," considering the role of learning and play in the AI era. One of the panelists will be a current high school student with a role in a school management as a board member, sharing insights from the perspective of a learner in the education system. In the latter part of the session, we will divide attendees into small groups for discussions on the theme "The Future of Education in 2050."
Reports
【Reflection】
This dialogue programme, themed “The Future of Education in 2050,” was conducted under the moderation of Hiroki Yoshida, TV announcer and member of the Global Shapers Fukuoka Hub, and Haruka Kurosawa, CEO of WorldLIT and fellow Global Shaper. Their facilitation created an open and welcoming atmosphere for both the panellists and the audience.
During the discussion, each panellist shared their vision of education. Ursula Rinta-Jouppi from Finland described schools as places for learning democracy and equality, where students from diverse backgrounds learn to coexist. Ryan Lim from Singapore argued that schools must be safe spaces to fail, where young people can learn resilience through challenge. Jillian Cook from the United States shared the innovative practice of her school, One Stone, which values growth over grades and allows students to design their own learning, fostering agency and confidence. From Japan, Ryosuke Takashima, Mayor of Ashiya, stressed that even in the AI era where self-study is possible, schools remain essential as spaces to experience democracy and co-create society.
A recurring theme was the lack of student agency. Japanese students, for example, perform well academically yet often lack motivation and decision-making ability. The panellists stressed the importance of valuing not only outcomes but also the process of learning and small achievements. AI was discussed as a tool for personalised learning, but the consensus was clear: technology should remain complementary, while the essence of education lies in dialogue and collaboration.
In the latter part, the audience also took part in small-group discussions, sharing memories and future visions of education. This cross-cultural dialogue reaffirmed education not only as knowledge transmission but as a space for participation and coexistence. The programme successfully redefined education as a collaborative endeavour to learn and shape the future together, and achieved significant impact by highlighting its broader social meaning on an international stage.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The dialogue highlighted several directions for future action, providing both challenges to be addressed and opportunities to be developed beyond the Expo.
Firstly, teachers’ agency was identified as crucial. Instead of relying on top-down training, teachers should be empowered to engage voluntarily, learn from peers, and innovate in their classrooms. Mayor Takashima pointed out that when teachers themselves demonstrate change, students naturally follow. He shared plans to reform teacher training in Ashiya City accordingly.
Secondly, the value of international exchange was underlined. Practices such as Ursula’s focus on equality in Finland, Jillian’s student-centred approach in the U.S., Ryan’s entrepreneurship education in Singapore emphasising the value of failure, and Takashima’s commitment to community-linked education in Japan will continue to be shared across countries, with the aim of finding adaptable methods worldwide.
Thirdly, education must be closely linked to community and policy. Continuous dialogue among mayors, educators, students, and citizens was proposed to ensure that schools contribute to solving local challenges. AI technology was also highlighted as a supportive means for personalised and inclusive learning, enhancing flexibility and accessibility without replacing human interaction.
Finally, participants committed to ensuring the dialogue does not end with the Expo. Online forums and local practice-sharing will continue, extending the network effect. Panellists emphasised the importance of remaining learners themselves, recognising continuous reflection as the driving force of reform. Overall, the programme laid a foundation for long-term international collaboration, co-creating the education of the future as a democratic and inclusive endeavour.
*Part or all of this report was generated by AI.
Cast
Moderator
Haruka Kurosawa
Global Shaper, Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub Representative Director & CEO, WorldLIT Inc.
Born in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, and inspired by the Great East Japan Earthquake, developed a strong interest in international affairs. Studied abroad in the U.S. and worked in Bosnia, gaining global experience in education and social impact. Served as a Teach For Japan Fellow at an integrated elementary and junior high school, later teaching at Fukuoka Girls' Commercial High School. In March 2025, founded WorldLIT Inc. with the vision of "taking a step to illuminate the darkness for a yet unseen tomorrow," aiming to develop educational initiatives worldwide.
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Hiroki Yoshida
Global Shaper, Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub TV announcer at KYUSHU ASAHI BROADCASTING CO., LTD.
Hiroki was born in 2001 in Fukuoka City and graduated from the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University. He also studied abroad at the University of Pennsylvania. During his student years, he was actively involved in initiatives aimed at conveying the opinions of young people to government and administrative bodies in the field of public affairs. In the summer of 2023, he organized a policy proposal session with high school and university students to present recommendations to the mayor of Fukuoka City. Currently, he works as an announcer at KBC.
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Speakers
Takashima Ryosuke
Mayor of Ashiya City
Born in Osaka in 1997, Ryosuke graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in Environmental Science and Engineering and a minor in Environmental Science and Public Policy. From 2016 to 2023, he served as the President of the educational non-profit Ryu-fellow, which focuses on nurturing future leaders capable of addressing global challenges. He has supported proactive high school students aspiring for higher education abroad and youth involvement in community development.
He is dedicated to ‘just learning’ in public schools and engaging in community development centered around dialogue with a broad spectrum of ages, particularly emphasizing the youth. Expert member of the Central Council for Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (from 2025).
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Jillian Cook
One Stone, a high school in Idaho, USA
Jillian Cook is a student at One Stone, where she also serves as the chair of the Governance and Strategy Committee on the One Stone Board of Directors. Raised in the wilderness of Idaho, Jillian has developed a deep passion for both international relations and alternative education. She is eager to continue exploring these interests in higher education and beyond. Outside of her academic pursuits, Jillian is an avid outdoors enthusiast and a beginner mountaineer, always seeking new adventures in nature. Jllian believes that education is a transformative journey, one that empowers individuals to think critically, embrace diverse perspectives, and create positive change in the world.
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Ryan Lim
Global Shaper, Global Shapers Community Singapore Hub Director of Partnerships and Strategy, Reactor School
Ryan lives and breathes entrepreneurship, being in the startup ecosystem for the past decade. He specialises in Market Launching, B2B and B2G partnerships, with a background as a co-founder, early employee, and in a corporate innovation accelerator working with early-stage companies across various verticals regionally.
At Reactor, he serves as the Director of Partnerships and Strategy, overseeing revenue, corporate development, strategic partnerships and global market expansion supporting the mission of Cultivating the Galaxy’s Best Young Founders.
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Ursula Rinta-Jouppi
Global Shaper, Global Shapers Community Helsinki Hub Teacher, Tölö gymnasium, City of Helsink
Ursula studied Environmental Sciences and Pedagogy at the University of Helsinki. After working as a researcher at Aalto University, she has been serving as a faculty member at Tölö Gymnasium in the City of Helsinki since 2020. With a deep understanding of the Finnish education system, she has developed and implemented an introductory course on sustainability for all first-year students at the high school where she currently works.
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Co-organiser
Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub
Learning and Playing Week
Dialogue session with educational leaders in World-Shaping - ENVISIONING THE FUTURE 2025 OF EDUCATION Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
[Hypothesis for the Future in 2050]
The concept of traditional schools, where students of same ages gather, will be transformed into open spaces where individuals actively learn and play as to live their lives fully. In order to explore ideas for realizing this future society, we will invite young leaders active in the education field from around the world as panelists. Based on their practical experiences, we will discuss the role of learning and play in the AI era.
-
2025.07.26[Sat]
14:00～16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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Learning and Playing Week
