Photo credit: A maiko of Miyagawachou named Toshihana preparing tea. Photo by renfield kuroda

On 15 September 2023, five pupils from Finham Park 2 and five from Earlsdon Primary Schools will travel to Kyoto, Japan, to participate in a conference organised by UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) to discuss peace making initiatives, learn about other cultures and connect to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The theme of the conference is “One Cup”, relating to the ancient traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony in which one tea bowl is shared by all participants. It is representative of the idea that the world has “one cup” of natural resources that must be shared equally and sustainably between nations.

This visit has been organised in conjunction with the Acting On Climate project run by the University of Warwick. To engage local school communities, around 600 Coventry children will participate in ceramics workshops, creating their own version of ‘one cup’ and learning about the Japanese tea ceremony and wood-firing kilns, whilst also exploring the Sustainability Development Goals. Drama workshops will also be held at Earlsdon Primary School further exploring the issues, and the ten pupils from Coventry will represent the UK at the conference.

The ceramic tea bowls made in Coventry, along with ceramics created at a further workshop during the conference in Kyoto, will be exhibited at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in November 2023 and in Coventry in 2024.

Project partners include Coventry City Council, Earlsdon Primary School, University of Oxford, University of Warwick, Sundragons Pottery, Sisters of St Joseph of Peace and UNESCO.

For more information see https://coventrycityofpeace.uk/?p=14070