Ikumi Yoshida Okayama Municipal Kominkan, Japan Connecting People to Communities through the Acquisition of ICT Skills

What is Kominkan? Human & Community Development 2 Kominkan Learning Gathering Net-working

Okayama Municipal Kominkan 37 Kominkan Managed and run by Local Government In total,about 1 million people visit Kominkan per year. About 5 staffs at each Kominkan Various users from children to adults, especially elderly women Base of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development ＝ ESD) activities in each community

Learning ICT literacy ① ICT…Information and communication technology ICT class → Life becomes more convenient → Communication in the community becomes active → Community enrichment

Learning ICT literacy ② Komikan’s ICT Class Content ・ Computer’s basic operations ・ Editing images or videos ・ How to build a website

Learning ICT literacy ③ By using what the peorple learned from the class, ・ Their outlook is broadened. ・ New encounters are provided. ・ They utilize their knowledge and skills not only for themselves but also for their community.

Making kominkan a base for having activities to enrich the community ICT Application Examples

I built a website. I shared wedding pictures and videos with my relatives. -Individual living became enriched ＩＣＴ Application Example ①

We recorded the shrine’s autumn festival. -Use for community activities ＩＣＴ Application Example ②

I made a hazard and evacuation map. ＩＣＴ Application Example ③ -Use for community activities

“We want to leave videos of people, history, and culture in the Kyoyama area for the future.” People involved in ESD activities ＋ The group learning ICT -Use for community activities ＩＣＴ Application Example ④ Title: “The Story of Kyoyama -People who created the area-”

-Learning from each other with CLCs in foreign countries ＩＣＴ Application Example ⑤ ・ Talking on Skype with people in Indonesia and Cambodia

・ Offered at almost all kominkans ・ Computer classes /Counseling Room are provided ・ Learning from each other ・ Helpful to create communities that people feel worth living in Learning support ① - “ICT volunteer group”

Learning support ② - “ICT volunteer group” ・ Computer class for mentally handicapped persons (Kyoyama Kominkan)

Achievements ① Local history and tradition have been handed down by using ICT ・ Database was created for archive ・ Easy to study about the area ・ People can hand down or study local history and traditions regardless of generation or region

Achievements ② ・ Through utilizing ICT skills, people have enhanced opportunities to be involved in their community. ・ They raised their motivation to act for community development toward future.

Challenges ① Importance of face-to-face communication Taking into consideration of people using no ICT tools Ensuring security and enhancing ICT education

Challenges ② Expanding network with CLCs in foreign countries Giving chance to all 37 Kominkan to learn from global perspective