On August 31, the School of Education at Hiroshima University (HU) awarded the 30th Pestalozzi Education Prize — named in honor of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, the father of modern education — to Japanese singer MISIA for her outstanding educational activities. Since 2007, MISIA has been working to build a better world by providing educational support in Africa, and she has been steadily working to support the lives and learning of children growing up in an adverse environment.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 students. HU President Mitsuo Ochi presented a certificate, bust, and supplementary prize after his opening speech and a congratulatory address by Momiji Bank President Koji Oda. Chugoku Shimbun Co., Ltd. President Tetsuya Okahata also presented a plaque and commemorative gifts.

In her commemorative lecture, MISIA said that during her visit to Africa, while seeing the poverty, sadness, and long-suffering of children under severe conditions, she felt hope for children who, even in such situations, were not beaten by the hardships and went to receive education and attend school. She commented, “Education is first of all about keeping life alive and helping people to have the strength to live their lives,” to which the participants of the lecture listened attentively.

During the Q&A session that followed, students asked what they should do now if they are interested in supporting education in Africa or other impoverished areas overseas and what they should think about while they are students, and MISIA gave a very valuable talk about her own experiences.