Online discussion on the form of democratic schools: Book launch event for “12 months at a school that values ​​both yourself and others”

Online Dialogue Discussing the Form of a Democratic School:
Publication Commemoration Event for the Book “12 Months at a School That Values ​​You and Others” ​
Kokureo Forest NPO Press Release: October 20, 2025 Online dialogue discussing the form of a democratic school – Publication commemoration event for the book “12 Months at a School That Values ​​You and Others” Respecting children’s individuality and cultivating the ability to live democratically—Alternative school Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen and researchers discuss “education that values ​​both self and others.” Recommended for those involved in education, child-rearing, and school development
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Minoh Children’s Forest School (Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture / operated by certified NPO Kokureo no Mori) will publish the book “12 Months of a School That Values ​​Both Themselves and Others: From the Practice of Minoh Children’s Forest School” (Tsukiji Shokan) on October 16, 2025. This book tells the story of a school that places “caring for yourself” and “caring for others” at the core of its education. It tells the story of a 12-month story, showcasing the practices of the school. Today’s educational challenges include over 340,000 children not attending school, and teachers facing long working hours and the pressure of evaluations. Amid these challenges, this book offers hope that small, everyday choices and interactions can transform the learning environment. To commemorate the
publication, we will be holding an online event on Friday, November 7th, titled “The Form of a Democratic School: What is a School That Values ​​Both Oneself and Others?” This event will feature a conversation between Hisayoshi Mori of Kyoto Women’s University and Miho Fujita, founder of Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen and current representative director of Kokureo no Mori. Mori and Fujita were classmates in graduate school, and have continued to explore, from their own perspectives, the questions about education that they had in their twenties. In this conversation, they look back on their many years of practice and research, discussing the creation of democratic schools and learning environments where children and adults can grow together. Recommended for those involved in education, child-rearing, and school development, as well as those interested in alternative education and learning design. Event overview ＜Date and Time＞ Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Online and archived streaming available) ＜Speakers＞ Hisayoshi Mori (Associate Professor, Kyoto Women’s University) Miho Fujita (Representative Director of Certified NPO Cocleo Forest) ＜Capacity＞ 30 people (first come, first served) Participation Fee> ・Ticket with book (applications by October 27th): 2,000 yen ・Ticket without book: 1,000 yen ＜Application＞
https://peatix.com/event/4613463/ ＜About the Book＞ Publisher: Tsukiji Shokan (Scheduled for publication on October 16, 2025) Price: 1,800 yen (excluding tax) Sponsor/Inquiries Certified NPO Kokureo no Mori (Minoh Children’s Forest Academy) 6-15-31 Onohara-nishi, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture TEL/FAX: 072-735-7676 MAIL: info@cokreono-mori.com Official website: https://cokreono-mori.com What is Minoh Children’s Forest Academy? Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen is an alternative school (elementary and junior high school) that respects the individuality of each child and aims to cultivate citizens who live democratically. Approximately 70 children, ranging from first grade of elementary school to third grade of junior high school, study here. Our goal is to help students discover the joy of independent learning, value themselves and others, and develop the ability to “create together” through dialogue. Through project-based learning and school events created by children through dialogue, we practice education that cultivates people who will take on the responsibilities of a democratic society. 2025 marks the 22nd year since our founding.