The First Tokyo Global Forum on Children
In seeking to realize a “children first” society, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is reviewing its overall policies from the perspective of children and comprehensively promoting child-oriented policies.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Basic Ordinance on Children calls for building an environment where children are nurtured by society as a whole, so that all children can grow up healthy and happy with hope for today and the future. Furthermore, to strengthen child-oriented policies, it is crucial to advance measures from a global perspective.
With these points in mind, the TMG hosted the first Tokyo Global Forum on Children (TGFC), inviting senior officials of overseas city governments who oversee child-oriented policies. The forum served as an opportunity for the TMG to present the outcomes of its initiatives up to now, and for participating cities to share their pioneering child-oriented policies.
Through discussions and opinion exchanges with participating cities, we were able to confirm where TMG initiatives currently stand from a global perspective, and we will work to further enhance our child-oriented policies.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Basic Ordinance on Children calls for building an environment where children are nurtured by society as a whole, so that all children can grow up healthy and happy with hope for today and the future. Furthermore, to strengthen child-oriented policies, it is crucial to advance measures from a global perspective.
With these points in mind, the TMG hosted the first Tokyo Global Forum on Children (TGFC), inviting senior officials of overseas city governments who oversee child-oriented policies. The forum served as an opportunity for the TMG to present the outcomes of its initiatives up to now, and for participating cities to share their pioneering child-oriented policies.
Through discussions and opinion exchanges with participating cities, we were able to confirm where TMG initiatives currently stand from a global perspective, and we will work to further enhance our child-oriented policies.
Overview
Dates
Wednesday, February 5 – Friday, February 7, 2025
Participating overseas governments
13 (Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Cardiff, Helsinki, Ireland, London, Manchester, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Vienna) *Listed in alphabetical order
Program
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Keio Plaza Hotel 42F
| 11:00a.m. | Opening Ceremony |
| 1:00 p.m. | - Video message from Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko - Greetings from a representative of the Children and Families Agency of Japan - Keynote presentations by Mr. Takasu Yukio (Chairperson, Japan Committee for UNICEF) and Dr. Kinoshita Isami (Chair of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Committee, Japan Committee for UNICEF) |
| 1:50 p.m. | Session 1:“Measures to gather children’s views and opinions/Child participation” (Presenters: Tokyo, Berlin, Singapore, Vienna, Taipei, London) |
| 6:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Video message from Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko
Opening remarks by Ms. Tanaka Aiko, Director General of the TMG Liaison Office for Child-Oriented Policies
Presentation by an overseas city
Forum underway
TMG official answering a question
Overseas city official speaking during a discussion
Thursday, February 6, 2025 Keio Plaza Hotel 42F
| 10:00 a.m. | Keynote presentations by Dr. Shirahase Sawako (Senior Vice-Rector, United Nations University) and Mr. Shimamura Hitoshi (Chief Director, TOKYO PLAY) |
| 10:40 a.m. | Session 2: “Incorporating the voices of children in creating playgrounds and opportunities for play” (Presenters: Tokyo, Cardiff, Beijing, Brussels, Helsinki, Bangkok, Ireland) |
| 2:10 p.m. | Session 1 (continued): “Measures to gather children’s views and opinions/Child participation” (Presenters: Shanghai, Manchester, Beijing) |
Keynote presentation by Dr. Shirahase Sawako, Senior Vice-Rector of the United Nations University
Keynote presentation by Mr. Shimamura Hitoshi, Chief Director of Tokyo Play
TMG official speaking during a discussion
Participants enjoying the forum
Overseas city official speaking during a discussion
Presentation by an overseas city
Friday, February 7, 2025: Site visit across Tokyo
| 11:15 a.m. | Facility visit: “Yu Suginami” Center for Children and Youth |
| 2:55 p.m. | Playground visit: Hanegi Play Park |
| 4:40 p.m. | Facility visit: Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation - Visit to Tokyo Mirai Park, etc. - Presentations by children from Tokyo (measures to promote awareness of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Basic Ordinance on Children, etc.) |
Gymnasium inside Yu Suginami
Music studio inside Yu Suginami
Learning about Hanegi Play Park
Child playing at Hanegi Play Park
Visit to Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Listening to an explanation at Tokyo Mirai Park
Presentation by children from Tokyo
Presentation by Tokyo junior and senior high school students who participated in the student delegation visit to Ireland
Discussions with student delegation members
Group photo with student