KWN Global Summit 2021 Report

Held December 4 - 5, 2021, the KWN Global Summit 2021 was joined by participants from 4 different countries. This is the second time for the Summit to be conducted online. Online communication can be more difficult than in-person communication, but nevertheless the kids had fun in various activities while learning and sharing their ideas on important social issues.

Day 1 Day 1

Primary category (December 4)

Participating Schools:
School of Thinking (Brazil)*
Morimura Gakuen Elementary School (Japan)
Seksyen 9 Primary School (Malaysia)
Vietnam Primary Team (Vietnam)

*joined via a recorded video due to time difference

Icebreaker

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The Summit opened with an icebreaker where the kids introduced themselves through pictures. We saw pictures of their schools, school uniforms, school lunches, as well as famous places in their countries. The kids were able to introduce themselves while learning about the culture and places of other participants. The icebreaker surely achieved its purpose to make the kids comfortable and confident during the event.

Animated Video Workshop

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Professor Yuichi Ito, clay animator and professor at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of the Arts, shared his knowledge in a special video creation workshop. The kids then made their own videos using waste materials based on the theme, "Pass the SDGs Baton!" They said it was challenging because it was their first time to make an animation, but they surprised everyone with their well-made videos (YouTube).

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Discussion about SDGs Through the Entry Videos

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The kids first had a quick quiz where they had an exciting time learning about the SDGs. Then they had a lively discussion on how they can contribute to building a better future, and about various SDGs-related social issues presented in the videos they prepared. Seksyen 9 Primary School (Malaysia) shared that the changes in their lifestyle caused by COVID-19 and how they tried to adapt to the new normal inspired them to make their video. Morimura Gakuen Elementary School (Japan) expressed a message that even kids can also help in supporting the local industries, such as the flower growers, affected by the pandemic. Meanwhile, School of Thinking (Brazil) showed the struggles of a kid with hearing disability at school and how kids can help each other.

This year, via the Supportive Participation Program, kids who were not able to join the Summit were able to share their ideas on how to achieve the SDGs through videos. They indirectly livened up the discussion.

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Announcement of Winning Entries

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Video entries for this year's Summit were all heart-warming and full of learning. Morimura Gakuen Elementary School (Japan) was selected by the kids who joined the Summit to win the KWN Kids Award, while Seksyen 9 Primary School (Malaysia) won the first KWN Fans Award after receiving the most votes from online fans.

Before closing the program, representative student from Japan left a message, "There is a limit to what children can do and the power of each one is very small. But if everyone works together, we will have big impact in the achievement of the SDGs."

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Day 2 Day 2

Secondary category (December 5)

Participating Schools:
Earth Educational Center (Brazil)*
Taira 3rd Junior High School (Japan)
Iwaki Koyo High School (Japan)
Tok Janggut Secondary School (Malaysia)
Kim Lien High School (Vietnam)
*joined via a recorded video due to time difference

Icebreaker

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Similar to the Primary category, the kids introduced themselves and learned about other participants by describing different pictures of their schools, school activities, and their favorite places. This fun icebreaker for sure made the kids feel as if they were traveling to different places while fellow participants introduced themselves.

Animated Video Workshop

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The kids listened to Professor Ito as he explains the importance of video creation and how it is an effective way to send out a message. The kids then proceeded to making their own videos after learning the basics of video creation. And even though it was their first time to make one, through teamwork and having fun while doing the activity, all teams were able to produce amazing animations. Videos from the Primary category were also combined to create a masterpiece which can be seen here (YouTube).

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Discussion about SDGs Through the Entry Videos

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Quiz about the SDGs made learning about them fun and exciting. After learning about the SDGs promise which is to "Leave no one behind," the kids had a discussion about the videos that each team submitted for the Summit. All entries showed a deep sense of understanding on the SDGs expected from the Secondary category. Iwaki Koyo High School (Japan) touched on a sensitive topic about gender-related issue, and hoped that everyone will be more understanding and accepting of others no matter the gender. Tok Janggut Secondary School (Malaysia) wanted everyone to understand that hurtful words leave marks like nails to a wood, and that one way to stop word violence is by thinking ahead of what others would feel before saying harsh words. Videos from Taira 3rd Junior High School (Japan) and Earth Educational Center (Brazil) focused on taking care and appreciating nature. Kids from Japan wanted to introduce sustainable energy and hoped for everyone, including other kids, to also think about what we all can do to help achieve a more sustainable future.
Brazil's video reminded us the benefits of nature like refreshing our minds and souls from the stress and pressure of everyday life.

Videos of ideas on how to achieve the SDGs from the Supportive Participation Program were also shown. They made the discussion on the SDGs more relatable and interesting.

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Announcement of Winning Entries

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It was a double win for Tok Janggut Secondary School (Malaysia) who won both the KWN Kids Award and the first-ever KWN Fans Award. The message of their video was truly moving and reached the hearts of many. The winners thanked everyone who helped in making the video.

And for the final message, Taira 3rd Junior High School representatives encouraged everyone to cooperate with one another to transform the world. "SDGs are not just for governments and companies to think about, but for younger generations as well." They also asked everyone to help in achieving the SDGs through "Small Deeds but also Good deeds", as their personal SDGs.

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New Schemes & Experiences for 2021

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Supportive Participation Program

Kids who couldn't join in the KWN Global Summit participated via their videos declaring their ideas and plans on how to achieve the SDGs. The kids, though indirectly, were able to support the participants in the SDGs discussion and also made the Summit livelier.

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KWN Fans Award

In addition to the KWN Kids Award which is decided by the kids participating in the Summit, the "KWN Fans Award" to be voted by fans supporting KWN was implemented. Fans selected one impressive video for each category via online voting. It gave a boost of confidence to the participants!