World Summit of United Kids‘ Towns and Regions 2027
～ Declaration on the Co-creation of a “Regional Future Strategy” Transcending Generations and Boundaries ～

Know the World, Know the Nation, Children’s Youth Country Pride Competition 2027
～For the future with Young inbound migrants and “Takumi”～

【To all organisers and stakeholders of ‘Children’s Towns’ across Japan and the world】
【To those wishing to participate in ‘Children’s Towns’ at next year’s EXPO in spring and summer】
 Deadline: 31 December this year  This is a golden opportunity – please submit your application or contact us as soon as possible!

Application and enquiry form: Japanese, English

Application Guidelines: Japanese, English

 Invitation to “ World Summit of United Kids’ Towns and Regions 2027 ” 

The Osaka–Kansai World Expo (EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN), which Japan hosted from April to October 2025, presented a vision of the future of society to the world under the theme ‘Designing a Future Society Where Life Shines’. Now, at the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition (GREEN×EXPO 2027 YOKOHAMA, JAPAN), to be held in Japan from March to September 2027, will transform the ‘Legacy’ of the Osaka–Kansai Expo into ‘Heritage’ (values to be passed on). In an era where AI surpasses humans in various respects and where climate change, disasters, wars and conflicts occur with increasing frequency worldwide, the event will explore the ‘value’ of a ‘happy’ future society and communities where human ‘life’ shines, Under the theme ‘Tomorrow’s Landscape: Creating Happiness’, representatives of children, young people and adults from across the globe will gather, transcending generations, national borders and boundaries. As an opportunity for ‘Children’s Towns’ from across Japan and around the world, as well as children and young people active in their local communities, to connect, we will host the ‘World Children’s Regional United States Summit 2027’ and the ‘Let’s Learn About the World, Let’s Learn About Japan: Children and Young People’s Regional Pride Competition 2027’.

Assuming that the Global Goals for 2015–30 (the SDGs) call for the restoration of natural biodiversity (Bio Diversity) alongside measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change as global environmental challenges, and that the Global Goals for 2030–45 include, for example, the SWGs (Sustainable Wellbeing Goals), we are entering an era where, alongside the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, the restoration of natural biodiversity is a key global environmental challenge. In this new era, characterised by frequent wars and disasters, as well as technological innovations—such as AI—that are set to reshape world history, our objectives will be ‘community building’—regional revitalisation and urban regeneration—and ‘human development’—talent development and cultural creation— ‘job creation’—the creation of new industries—in a new era marked by technological innovations such as AI that are reshaping world history, as well as frequent wars and disasters; and ‘nation-building’—the creation of public goods—as objectives. Participants from across the nation and the world are gathering for initiatives in which the next generation, transcending generational, national, regional, and organisational boundaries (including those between industry, government, academia and civil society), envision the future of their countries and regions through the presentation, discussion and exhibition of each nation and region’s unique ‘values’ and best practices to be shared globally.
We aim to create a forum where children and young people active in ‘Children’s Towns’ across the country can come together to share the charms of their own towns and regions, the outcomes of their activities, and their aspirations for ‘the kind of region they wish to see’ and ‘the kind of future they wish to create’, thereby fostering exchange across regions, generations and even national borders. We would be delighted if you could participate in initiatives—whether organised by embassies, consulates, cultural centres or international schools in Japan, or through various programmes at primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as initiatives in your home country—that contribute to deepening relations between our two nations.

We intend for the ‘World Children’s Regional United States Summit 2027’ and the ‘Let’s Learn About the World, Let’s Learn About Japan: Children and Young People’s Regional Pride Competition 2027’ to be forums where children and young people bring together the charms of their countries and regions, the achievements of their ‘Children’s Town’ activities, and their visions and strategies for the future, to engage in exchange and co-creation across generations, national borders and other boundaries. An overview of the various initiatives being undertaken nationwide and in Kanagawa Prefecture, the host venue, is provided below. We sincerely look forward to your participation—whether through your embassy, schools or initiatives in your home country—in a manner that contributes to deepening relations between our two nations. Should you wish to discuss the details further, arrange a web conference for an explanation, or visit the embassy or other relevant organisations, we will be happy to accommodate your requests flexibly, so please do not hesitate to let us know.

 The History and Significance of ‘Kids’ Towns’ 

Originating from ‘Mini-Munich’, held in Munich, Germany, in 1979—the International Year of the Child—this initiative has spread organically across 100 to 300 locations nationwide in Japan since 1996 as an economic and social education programme in which children gain hands-on experience of work, entrepreneurship, consumption, tax payment and voting. As part of this initiative, young people and adults who once participated in ‘Kids’ Town’ are now collaborating to support the next generation of children and young people in their communities. Together, they discuss the towns they wish to create and live in, bring these visions to life in a simulated ‘Kids’ Town’, and apply the insights gained to the development of future towns and communities.

For children and young people, this experience involves running towns, shops and companies, earn ‘money’ and go shopping, whilst cooperating with friends and young people of different ages, as well as adults in the local community outside their families and schools. For them, it is an experience that fosters initiative, collaboration and social skills. At the same time, for young people and adults, amidst changes such as rapid population decline due to the falling birth rate and ageing population, it has become an activity to co-create a ‘Regional Future Strategy’ that envisions a sustainable future for towns and communities (i.e. children and young people) across generations and national borders.

Globally, there are collaborative ‘Mini-Cities’ that have spread from Mini-Munich (https://www.mini-muenchen.info/english/) across Europe and the Americas, including KidZania (https://www.kidzania.jp/en/about), weekly Sunday children’s bazaars and markets organised by Christian churches, as well as ‘Children’s Shopping Streets’—which began in Japan in the 1980s at play parks (adventure playgrounds)—and vocational experience programmes, civic engagement schemes and summer camps at educational institutions ranging from primary and secondary schools to universities. These programmes and initiatives are expanding, enabling children and young people to learn about local and national economic and social systems whilst co-creating a new vision of ‘towns, people, work and the nation’ for the AI era alongside adults.
 

 Examples of participation and initiatives by children’s representatives from across the country at the United Kids’Town Summit 

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We know that across Japan there are ‘children and young people who love not only their own town or children’s town, but also children’s towns nationwide’. If children who are passionate about kids’ towns in neighbouring towns and cities represent their local areas and attend the ‘World Children’s Regional United States Summit 2027’ on 20 March 2027, discussions can be held among children representing these 11 blocks. To ensure this happens, ahead of the United Kiｄｓ’ Town Summit on 21 August, we are organising the ‘Let’s Learn About the World, Let’s Learn About Japan, Children and Young People’s Local Pride Competition 2027’ on 21 August, we are requesting that local children’s representatives be selected and applications for participation be submitted at the regional conferences for each of the 11 blocks of the ‘National Ｋｉｄｓ’ Town Council’—which is being organised by people across the country in the run-up to this United States Summit.
Furthermore, we have begun inviting applications for participation in KidZania Japan (https://www.kidzania.jp/en/about ), play parks in urban parks, and the activities of various associations and organisations.

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 Examples of initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture Japan 

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In Kanagawa Prefecture, an initiative known as the ‘Kanagawa Children’s United States’ was held, bringing together child representatives from several ‘Children’s Towns’ across the prefecture to hold a children’s presidential election. The elected children’s president paid a courtesy visit to the prefectural government offices and held a discussion with the prefectural governor.

Scenes from the ‘Kanagawa Children’s United States’
https://youtu.be/-HU4DUG-RlQ?si=R67dNoU2Ek8D4erO　

Scenes from the ‘Children’s President and Prefectural Governor Dialogue’
https://youtu.be/IStiu7Dc0wI?si=-N8Vhom78fF3P_SZ
 

 Official Information of the events on “ World Summit of United Kids’ Towns and Regions 2027 “ at GREEN x EXPO 2027 Yokohama Japan 
～ Declaration on the Co-creation of a "Regional Future Strategy" Transcending Generations and Boundaries 

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 Official Web-site 
https://en.cepic.earth/home-kodomonomachi　
 

 Overview of the events on “ World Summit of United Kids’ Towns and Regions 2027 “ at GREEN x EXPO 2027 Yokohama Japan 
～ Declaration on the Co-creation of a "Regional Future Strategy" Transcending Generations and Boundaries

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We would like to ask everyone involved in ‘Children’s Towns’ around the world to participate and assist in selecting children’s representatives from each country and region, as well as in arranging their seating.

Application period: Tuesday 1 September 2026 – Thursday 31 December 2026

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❶ World Summit of United Kids‘ Towns and Regions 2027 
～ Declaration on the Co-creation of a “Regional Future Strategy” Transcending Generations and Boundaries

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Saturday 20 March 2027 (Reiwa 9), 10:00–20:45

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Morning: Pitch Contest, Judging and Awards Ceremony (presentations by representatives from each participating ‘Children’s Town’)
Presentations will highlight the unique appeal of each region and the ‘Regional Future Strategies’ devised by children and young people.

Afternoon: Round-table discussions with representatives from Children’s Towns, young people and adult representatives (including parliamentarians and ambassadors)

Based on the proposals put forward by children and young people, a ‘Co-creation Declaration’ aimed at the nation and the world will be drafted.

Children and young people from ‘Children’s Towns’ across Japan and around the world will gather to introduce the activities and attractions of their respective regions, whilst considering ‘what kind of communities and society (nation and world) they wish to build in the future’. Children and young people, alongside adults, local authorities, businesses, Members of Parliament, embassy officials and experts, will engage in dialogue across generations and roles. Together, they will formulate strategies for shaping the future of their regions in this new era—marked by technological innovations such as AI that are reshaping world history, as well as the frequent occurrence of wars and disasters—and will draft a ‘Co-creation Declaration on the “Regional Future Strategy”’, in which the next generation makes a declaration transcending generational and organisational boundaries (including those of nations, regions, and organisations from industry, government, academia and civil society). This declaration will then be disseminated nationwide and globally.

❷ Know the World, Know the Nation, Children’s Youth Country Pride Competition 2027 
～For the future with Young inbound migrants and “Takumi”

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Saturday 15 August 2027, 10:00–20:45

 

Morning and Afternoon: Children and young people not only from ‘Children’s Town’ but also from all over Japan, as well as those with overseas roots, will introduce what makes their hometowns and regions special through exhibitions and hands-on booths, and interact with one another.

 

Please refer to the attached documents for details on how to participate, what is expected of the children’s representatives from the 11 regions, the election of the Children’s President, and the programme for the day.
Taking the opportunity presented by Green x EXPO 2027, this initiative—which goes beyond the natural biodiversity targeted by the SDGs to focus on the economic and social diversity (Eco-Socio Diversity) aimed for by the SWGs (Sustainable Wellbeing Goals)—a leading contender for the 2030–45 targets—we hope to create an opportunity, together with everyone from ‘Children’s Towns’ across Japan and the world, for children and young people to take centre stage in discussing the future of their regions, forging connections and shaping a new future.

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We sincerely look forward to your participation.

 

[Enquiries]

CePiC-SIH Organising Committee Secretariat
(Representative (Director): Kazumasa Bansho)
Email: cepic.info@gmail.com　

SIH Organising Committee Secretariat
(Representative (Director): Akira Hirooka)
Email: sdgsinnovationhub.hq@gmail.com　
Tel: 070-2806-3924

The CePiC Organising Committee and the SIH Organising Committee will be participating in the Kanagawa Prefecture exhibition area and, together with Kanagawa Prefecture, will help to enliven the International Horticultural Exposition.
At GREEN×EXPO 2027, which will be held from 19 March next year, Kanagawa Prefecture will be exhibiting at the ‘Vibrant INOCHI Forest Kanagawa Pavilion’ with the following events: ‘① World Summit of United Kids‘ Towns and Regions 2027’ on 20 March, the first Saturday of the exhibition, and ‘②　Know the World, Know the Nation, Children’s Youth Country Pride Competition 2027’ on 15 August, a Saturday during the summer holidays.