Japan has lived through natural hazards for generations. Earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions are part of the country’s environment, shaping not only its landscapes, but also the way communities prepare, respond and recover.

For the students and teachers of SMA Al Huda Boarding School Tuban, Indonesia, the study visit to Japan offered an opportunity to share their winning entry to the 2025 SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award. Organised annually by SEAMEO and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), in cooperation with UNESCO Bangkok, the Award promotes good practices in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and knowledge exchange between Southeast Asia and Japan.

The school’s winning MANGU Programme addresses the 2025 theme, “Fostering Schools and Surrounding Communities’ Resilience through the Revitalisation of Local Wisdom in Disaster Risk Reduction.” Combining local ecological wisdom with environmental conservation and disaster preparedness, the programme engages students in mangrove planting along vulnerable coastlines, emergency preparedness training with local disaster agencies, waste-reduction campaigns, and a 15-day rural service programme that revitalises ancestral practices to protect the environment. By bringing traditional knowledge together with modern disaster risk management, MANGU helps strengthen community resilience while encouraging students to take an active role in protecting their communities.

During the visit, the students presented MANGU to the Embassy of Indonesia in Japan and MEXT. At Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, they also experienced practical approaches to disaster preparedness, gaining another perspective on how knowledge can be translated into action.

The learning continued in the Tohoku region, which was severely affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. At Kesennuma High School, the students exchanged experiences with their Japanese peers and teachers, learning how disaster education is integrated into school and community life. At the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, they met Indonesian researchers working in disaster-related fields, gaining insights into disaster science and the role of education in strengthening resilience. A visit to the remains of Arahama Elementary School offered a powerful reminder of the human impact of the 2011 disaster and the importance of preserving its memories and lessons. Beyond these encounters, a traditional tea ceremony offered a different perspective on Japanese culture, introducing the students to values of mindfulness, respect and connection.

These experiences enabled the students to see how scientific knowledge, education, community participation and local wisdom can complement one another. The visit offered new insights for them to reflect on and bring back to their communities, building on the work they have already begun through their school programme.

Through MANGU, SMA Al Huda Boarding School Tuban has demonstrated how students can contribute to sustainability through action rooted in local needs and knowledge. Ultimately, the SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award celebrates not only what the school has achieved, but also the potential of young people to turn learning into action and help shape a more sustainable and disaster-resilient future.