2024 was a year in which the coronavirus crisis subsided slightly while warfare raged in Ukraine, Gaza, and other areas. Unfortunately, it appears unlikely that the situation will come to an end in 2025. In 2021, CRN held serious discussions with researchers specializing in early childhood education and care in eight countries and regions in Asia regarding the subject of the needs of children in this unstable world and chose to focus the research on "resilience" or the ability to rise from adverse circumstances. The results of the research showed that what is essential for acquiring resilience is not special training or knowledge, but rather assured access to food that will always enable plentiful eating with satisfaction and persons nearby who will always listen to what you have to say.

Relieving the hunger of an empty stomach is, of course, linked to supplying the necessary energy for activity, but falling asleep easily with the feeling of a full stomach will also lead to overcoming feelings of insecurity and frustration. If there is someone who will listen to what you want to say, rather than just sharing your worries, you can receive direct words of encouragement that appeal to your heart.

I found some wonderful words in the autobiography of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi who is over 90 years old and still active today. Sensitive and full of healthy energy as a young girl, Kuroyanagi also experienced various setbacks in everyday life. Principal Sousaku Kobayashi from Tomoe Gakuen listened to her accounts of being expelled and told by the local elementary school "You no longer needed to come to school," and it was him who gave her the strength to live. His words remind us that human beings use the magic of language.

The magical words that Teacher Kobayashi spoke to the disheartened Kuroyanagi were very short, yet they had the power to shake the very foundation of a person's existence:
"You're really a good girl, you know." With this single phrase, a person can gain the strength to overcome hardships throughout their life.

With all my heart, I wish that 2025 will be a year when many children will hear and listen to these words that Kuroyanagi once heard.