Testimonials

Yoshi Grote

English Teacher at Kyoto Sango University

I first met the Nagoya Action Heroes at the Creating Connections conference in Nagoya. They presented about how they were busy implementing change not only in their own school (by rewriting the sex education curriculum to make it more sex-positive and inclusive of important issues such as consent) but also around the globe. Born out of the Indian organization, "Blank Noise," Nagoya Action Heroes embody the true meaning of ally-ship; they involve themselves in the wider community promoting visibility and discussion of gender, privilege, race, sexuality and identity issues. This professional young group of activists is an inspiration to us all and a reminder that the fact that we cannot change the world all at once is no excuse not to get started.

Andrea Carlson

Associate Professor, Aichi Prefectural University

The Nagoya Action Heroes are an absolutely extraordinary group of young activists, and I am deeply grateful for the very important work they are doing - including leading workshops at the Creating Connections Conferences in Nagoya and at a meeting of the Diversity and Social Issues Discussion group at Aichi Prefectural University, as well as displaying their materials at the Japanese Association for Suicide Prevention Conference at Nanzan University. The good that the Action Heroes are doing cannot be measured - they are providing opportunities for much-needed dialogue about issues which are critically important, and in so doing they are modeling tolerance, inclusion, advocacy, and the need for activism to others in their school community and beyond. The Nagoya Action Heroes are changing lives.

Mathew Parr

NIS Head of School

This quite remarkable group of young people have built the action heroes from the ground up.

What began as an idea to strive for equity and social justice has become a force for movement

and change in our school. I can confidently say that our school is a different place because of this movement. Conversations that were not held before are now openly discussed. Taboos are no

longer taboo. Change is happening. And while there is much more to be done before our school

is the culture we want it to be, it is the action heroes who can be thanked for the journey this far.

One of the ways that they do this is through outstanding communication and presentation

methods. Whether it be a presentation to classmates (for example their series on comprehensive sexuality education to secondary school groups) or to adults and outsiders (as evidenced at the NIS Creating Connections Conference and, more recently, the Living on the Edge Conference at Nagoya Sangyo University) they present with wit, style, humility, challenge and authenticity. I've seen them move adults in the audience to tears through the impact of their honest engagement

with the world can have.

Erin Sakakibara

2020 Vision organizer at NIS

The Nagoya Action Heroes are an impressive group of young activists that I have had the pleasure to see in 'action' on several occasions. They are brilliant at articulating, not only what NAH does, but also why they formed the club and the need for the activism they propagate. By spotlighting and creating space for discussions around such difficult issues of sexuality, gender, consent, and other topics, these students are providing a valuable resource for their school and peers.

Indeed, how they do this and why are compelling stories that need to be shared. And they do so with the emotional intelligence to handle difficult conversations. Through talks that are tailored to address audiences, both younger and older than themselves, their voices are powerful and instructive.

As speakers, they are skilled advocates and teachers. They coordinate their presentations to flow seamlessly as a team, and it is evident that each team member is valued and respected amongst the group. Nagoya International School is fortunate to have such a formidable group of young champions, and supportive mentor in Ms.Tulika Bathija, to represent the mission and scope of the learning that takes place at the school.