On August 30, at Hirosaki-Dote Town Community Park (Dote-cho, Hirosaki City), a research report on the participation and consciousness of university students in their regional activities was presented under the title of "Community Participation and Learning of University Students".

The research was conducted by collaborators represented by Takuro Fukasaku from the Center for Lifelong Learning and Education at Hirosaki University. Since 2012, it has been conducted as one of the lectures at Hirosaki University, with the aim of verifying the learning effect of university students' attachment to the community and their participation in activities through lectures, exercises, and practical training centering on childcare support.

The background of this research was the voices of parents who are raising children, such as a small number of parenting circles that they can easily participate in and few projects. Since there are great expectations for the university as an institution that creates "connection" through "learning," the "predecessor of this research," study of a child-rearing / child-raising support program that utilizes the power of the university "was started.

The research report introduced various efforts. In addition to lectures that deepen interest and understanding in the local community, exercises such as pseudo-experiences of childcare and talks with childrearing generations, and activities such as hands-on training in which students create playgrounds and interact with local event venues are reported. In the final lecture, it was also introduced that students who were less interested in activities became aware of being part of the community.

In addition, Kiyoshi Karaki, an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba who invited us as a commentator, aimed at further development of Japan's current situation and effects on regional participation under the theme of "College students' regional participation and learning" and service learning. In addition to the proposal, he introduced the characteristics of the modern regional society such as "Based on the social participation and the regional characteristics of Hirosaki City" by Sanzo Sato, Professor Emeritus of Hirosaki University.