Attendees are invited to discover the collaborative and intercultural work carried out over several months by children from Chile and Japan.
The session will begin with a joint introduction, showcasing visual records and excerpts from the participants' journals, with their consent, allowing for an exploration of the various stages of the game device's development. The key phases of the creative process will be explained, highlighting moments of learning and interaction.
As the central part of the session, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the game device interactively through a live session moderated by the children themselves, encouraging active participation and the exchange of experiences among the present delegations. Afterward, the game device will be officially handed over to the participating delegations, celebrating and recognizing the collaborative effort. Additionally, an online launch will take place during the session, making the game available for free download to ensure accessibilit for global agreement, amplifying their voices in an international context.
The session will conclude with a sharing of dishes from both cultures, emphasizing the significance of intercultural collaboration, involving all the senses that were part of the process.

【Reflection】

The international cultural exchange program titled “The Assembly of Play / Do you want to play with me?” was held on July 24, 2025, at the Chile Pavilion. This program aimed to bring together children from Chile and Japan using "play" as a shared language, enabling them to learn from each other’s cultures and engage in creative dialogue and collaboration. From July 19, the participating children spent five days together in Osaka, where they took part in workshops, observation activities, and sensory experiences as part of a co-creative process centered on play.

The session began with a welcome speech by Ms. Marichu Meyer, Director of the Chile Pavilion. She remarked, “Although your time together has been short, you have discovered both similarities and differences between your cultures through various activities. I hope this experience becomes a bridge between Chile and Japan.” She also expressed gratitude for the support received from the Honorary Consulate of Chile in Osaka.

Ms. Constanza Moreno, Director of Education and Communities at Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM), then took the stage. “Play is a fundamental way of connecting with others and engaging with the world. This project was born out of that belief,” she explained. She introduced the various workshops, exploratory walks, sensory experiences, and collaborative activities conducted during their stay in Osaka, and stated, “This experience has taught us the importance of imagination, learning, and creating together.” She also extended heartfelt thanks to the Osaka International Junior High School, the ProChile team, the Consulate staff, and her colleagues at MIM.

In the latter part of the program, the participating students shared their experiences from their own perspectives. A Chilean student reflected, “The Play Workshop was a place where we could connect beyond language. Through play, laughter, and time spent together, we were able to connect from the heart.” The student also shared how everyday moments—like breakfast or bedtime conversations—helped form a familial bond, and emphasized overcoming cultural differences with curiosity and respect.

Japanese junior high school students Nonoka and Rio shared, “At first, we were nervous and shy, but now we feel we’ve truly made friends with the Chilean students.” Reflecting on their experience creating a sound-based game together, they said, “This will be a memory we’ll treasure forever.”

The program concluded with an exhibition in the Chile Pavilion showcasing the results of the week’s activities. Visitors viewed a Japanese-style ikebana flower arrangement, a documentary video, and a flag symbolizing play, cooperation, and creativity—co-produced by the students. Guests were also invited to participate in creating a collaborative “Map of Play” by answering three questions related to play, bringing the spirit of dialogue and co-creation into the exhibition space.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】

This project will not conclude with the Expo but is planned to continue and expand in the future. Ms. Constanza Moreno stated, “We will take this experience back to Chile and share it with other young people as we work to develop a new play-based device that enables people to connect joyfully.”

Going forward, the students who participated in the project will serve as messengers to share their experiences and promote international understanding through play. “We hope to stay in touch with everyone we met in Japan and continue creating together,” she added. Sustaining these cross-border relationships will be one of the project’s most important legacies.

This initiative stands as a new model for international exchange that prioritizes learning and creativity. It is expected to serve as a valuable example in both educational and cultural contexts. By harnessing the power of play, the project is poised to foster inclusive dialogue and connection among diverse communities in the years to come.

Museo Interactivo Mirador