Research on accepting each other's personality and that child's personality from the teenage years.

The Benesse Children's Fund, a public interest incorporated foundation, has been working to support children with the aim of realizing "a society where children with a future can expand their own potential in a safe environment where they can engage in learning. This year, for the first time, the Benesse Children's Fund established the Science Castle Research Fund Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award to support research by middle and high school students on themselves. This is because we believe that each student's research on his or her immediate self is the first step toward changing the world.

Understanding differences and creating mutual aid

Benesse Children's Fund ("Children's Fund") was established in 2014. It conducts subsidized and voluntary projects under four themes: support for learning that leads to the creation of a better society, support for learning by children with illnesses and disabilities, activities to protect the safety and security of children, and support for learning by children with economic difficulties. Through the past projects, Mr. Aoki felt that, "Until now, support has been provided by adults who find and support children, but this creates a relationship between those who help and those who are helped. This is why we focused our attention on research conducted by junior and senior high school students. What they thought was their own personal issue may become more understandable to those around them through research and communication, and this may lead to a change in society. It may also reduce the number of people suffering from similar issues. We decided to establish the Science Castle Research Fund Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award in the hope that junior and senior high school students themselves will be involved in the realization of a society that accepts the differences that everyone feels to a greater or lesser degree as diversity (:I-inclusion) and that allows them to expand their own possibilities. The decision was made to establish the Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award for the Science Castle Research Fund.

Objectifying discomfort and changing the world through research.

Aoki's voice was full of energy as he said, "You don't have to wait until you are an adult to change society. Until now, people have had no choice but to endure even if they feel uncomfortable or find it difficult to live up to the monotonous standards set by adults. However, by engaging in "all kinds of development and research focusing on one's own characteristics and minorities," an area covered by the Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award, the issues felt by individuals can be objectified, and middle and high school students themselves can communicate problems and solutions. The subjects of research are wide-ranging and include objective observation of patterns of suffering and trouble that even they are unable to verbalize, as well as scientific analysis and verification of hypotheses related to internal experiences such as discomfort and difficulty in doing things. While this research can be initiated by focusing on oneself, the subject of most immediate interest to everyone, it has the potential to develop into world-changing research by connecting what was thought to be one's own personal problems with psychology, cognitive science, and robotics. The research themes that emerge from the questions and wonders that emerge when focusing on differences in values and the environment in which people feel comfortable will be novel and unique from an academic perspective.

Full support for research that is unique to you

The Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award features a substantial and unique support system. That is why we encourage students to apply even if they have an issue or idea that they think is not 'research-like,'" says Ito. The Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award allows all junior high and high school students to use nicknames and avatars for mentoring and research presentations so that they can engage in research in their own way without worry. In addition, since this program targets research that respects the individuality and sensibility of the applicant, there may be cases where the applicant has an unprecedented idea or does not know how to validate it. Therefore, mentors with expertise in the field are available to meet with applicants and provide research support tailored to their individual needs, whether they are new to research or wish to advance their ongoing research in a more specialized way. Above all, contact with people who have different community values than usual should lead to new insights and a sense of place for junior and senior high school students. If you know of any junior or senior high school students who are beginning research on themselves or who are curious about themselves but not sure if they want to make it their research topic, we encourage you to apply for the Benesse Children's Fund D&I Award. (Text by Izumi Dateyama)