“Through education, creativity, and sustainability, I aim to empower individuals—both young and old—to take purposeful actions, connect with communities, and build a world where responsibility and compassion lead the way.”

“If there is anything that can change the world, it should be, has to be EDUCATION.”

Fostering Sustainability and Learning: Yuri Hirayama’s Vision at Yuri Education Center

Yuri Hirayama, the Chief Sustainability Officer, School Director, and Principal Educator at Yuri Education Center, is on a mission to inspire future leaders equipped with the tools to address the challenges of tomorrow. The Yuri Education Center is an independent institution dedicated to cultivating active learning methods that empower students to think critically and act decisively. With a focus on science, sustainability, and English, the Center creates a dynamic environment where students tackle real-world issues, set meaningful and attainable goals, and implement practical solutions.

Recognizing the limited exposure to sustainability topics in many countries, especially in her home country of Japan, Yuri has prioritized incorporating the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum. Through experiential studies and academic discussions, she encourages students to engage deeply with these global objectives. She believes that, in our youth, it is important to consider WHY in addition to WHAT to make our discussions more interesting and to better understand people on the same Earth.

To enrich their understanding and encourage more active discussions, the Center frequently hosts experts, including seasoned sustainability practitioners, distinguished professors, and entrepreneurs and corporate executives. They share their experiences, industry insights, and latest advancements. Yuri emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning. Students participate in workshops and fieldwork, visit sites to observe real-world conditions, engage with communities, and understand the challenges society faces. This immersive approach helps them develop a nuanced perspective, fostering empathy and leadership skills that are essential for driving change.

One of the Center’s standout initiatives is to present their solutions for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, promoting sustainability and enhancing their confidence in public speaking. The in-person speech event titled “Waste to Wow!” covered various sustainable living practices, including material sustainability, digital transformation, waste reduction, and circular economy principles. The initiatives ranged from eco-friendly toys to digital databases, all emphasizing responsible consumption and sustainable practices. Creating opportunities for youth, professors, sustainability practitioners, and business executives to come together and turn their ideas into action is essential.

Educator Yuri has also conducted online sessions titled “Pitching for a Greener Future: Waste to Wow!”, which aimed to provide a platform for global youth and sustainability practitioners to present and develop their ideas for a sustainable future. During the session, youth presenters showcased their innovative solutions centered around SDG 12. The sessions also included feedback from reviewers who evaluated the pitches. Interested individuals were also invited to observe these online sessions.

Education for a Sustainable Future: Yuri Hirayama’s Mission at Yuri Education Center

Yuri is committed to empowering her students with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change. At this independent educational institution, students are immersed in an engaging learning environment where they sharpen their understanding of science, sustainability, and English. Through active learning methods, they are encouraged to identify key challenges, set realistic goals, and implement effective solutions. Yuri believes that education holds the power to foster a peaceful and sustainable world. Her approach integrates global initiatives, creative thinking, and a sense of responsibility, guiding students to take purposeful actions. By participating in these endeavors, students not only develop confidence but also gain a deeper global perspective that connects them with diverse communities and audiences.

The Yuri Education Center serves as a hub for cultivating proactive and thoughtful individuals who are prepared to contribute to society. The motto of the Center is, “We courageously discuss, actively lead, and collectively act.” The Center fosters critical thinking and cross-cultural collaboration, empowering students to express themselves confidently, discuss courageously, and collaborate effectively with peers from diverse backgrounds. Through its programs, Yuri demonstrates how education can be a transformative force, equipping students with the tools to address both local and global issues. Under her leadership, the institution continues to inspire its learners to lead with purpose and a vision for a sustainable future.

Nurturing Sustainability and Learning: Yuri Hirayama’s Multifaceted Approach to Education

Yuri is redefining education through her diverse initiatives that blend language learning, sustainability, and community empowerment. At the heart of her efforts is “Yuria’s Happy English Program,” designed for children aged four months to three years and their parents. Through this program, families explore English songs and sustainability themes, fostering early connections to environmental awareness. Yuri enhances the experience by reading engaging stories about animals, sea life, and nature, creating a joyful introduction to language and the natural world. Additionally, she empowers women, particularly mothers with young children, offering them opportunities to learn and grow.

For older students, aged 4 to 18, Yuri provides a curriculum that integrates math, science, and social studies in both Japanese and English. Sustainability becomes a key focus for students aged 8 and above, who engage in discussions, presentations, and workshops on global challenges. A notable feature of her program is the emphasis on SDG 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production,” where each student selects a topic and presents their ideas, developing their understanding of sustainable practices. Yuri extends learning beyond the classroom by inviting sustainability practitioners, professors, business owners, and adults to join Zoom sessions.

These interactions encourage students to confidently communicate with a global audience, deepening their awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through experiential studies and academic discussions, students gain practical insights and the ability to think logically and critically and act collectively about complex issues.

Through her holistic approach, Yuri Hirayama is shaping a generation of confident, socially aware individuals who are prepared to tackle global challenges while fostering connections across cultures and communities.