日本における国際教育の推進 ―現状と課題―

Abstract

International education is based on provisions of the Charter of UNESCO, the United Nations Eucational,Scientific and Cultural Organization. Japan became a member of UNESCO in 1951 and since then has been putting emphasis on international education. International education in Japan now covers education for international understanding and for foreign languages, international exchange and education for Japanese pupils and students living abroad, and for returnees and foreigners living in Japan. A number of foreigners from various countries have come to Japan to live and Japan’s society is said to have become a multicultural symbiosis society, while a number of Japanese have gone abroad to live in many countries. Globalization and the promotion of mutual dependence between peoples continue to grow. To meet such developments, international education should be promoted more. I would like to propose that international education should further encourage pupils and students to promote cross-cultural understanding and communication and to enjoy living together with foreigners. Also international education should urge pupils and students to have pluralistic and synthetic points of view on international affairs, and to explain on Japan’s position. I would like to propose the formation of a local network by utilizing people concerned with international affairs to promote these goals of international education.