Since 2015, our students have been blessed with the marvelous opportunity to study world issues from staff members of the United Nations, UN NGOs, and especially Sisters of the Sacred Heart from various parts of the world. In Japan, where only about 1% of the population are Christian, we have been trying to educate students about the realities of global life in the 21st century. Along with other Sacred Heart educators, we aim for transformative education and are concerned with critical thinking, global and social awareness with basic humanitarian ethics. The SDGs pledge that “No one will be left behind” resonates with the message of Jesus Christ, who said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). It seems that SDGs provide a common language for us to communicate the message of Christ to the secular world in Japan.
Sr. Cecile Meijer rscj, then a representative of the UN NGO, Society of the Sacred Heart, organized these Study Tours for us and Sr. Gwen Hoeffel rscj chaperoned the group around New York City to a variety of places including the UN Headquarters, Ellis Island, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ground Zero, and the Convent of the Sacred Heart, where the school community welcomed us every year so warmly. Sr. Sheila Smith rscj, who succeeded Sr. Meijer, also organized the trip.
After the last trip to New York in February 2020, the program had to move online because of the pandemic. The participants engaged for 4-5 months of pre-study research and extra English lessons prior to the three-day intensive online program with reflections after each session and sharing every day. After the program they make action plans to carry out and report on in the following scholastic year. It is a cyclical process. Since our school will close in March 2025, this year in 2023 marked our last online UN Study Tour for our 10th graders in February, and 9th graders in October.
The lecturers for 2023 were: Sr. Sheila Smith rscj, Sr. Margaret Mwarili rscj (a new representative of UNNGO RSCJ), Sr. Rita Pinto rscj, Sr. Donna Collins rscj, officers and staff from UN Department of Global Communications, other UN offices, and UNNGO members working on SDGs, Refugees, Peace building, Peacekeeping Operations, Education, Food Sovereignty, and a Nuclear-free world.
We are ever so grateful to our generous lecturers who helped expand our students’ knowledge and inspire their passions to take action. It is with heavy hearts that we must face the reality that our school is closing in March 2025. However, all of us feel confident that we can proceed with our lives keeping the message of the Sacred Heart with us as we pray for our students, alumni, and everyone who has received the spirit of St. Madeleine Sophie.
