Inside the exhibition hall, rows of large posters showed children striking poses in costumes such as “soldier,” “doctor,” “firefighter,” or “carpenter.”,At first glance, the images may resemble playful roleplay, but behind each photo lies a stark reality: conflict, disaster, or poverty.

So far more than 1,000 children have been photographed for the project. Among them, 36 students from the Noto region were photographed in 2025: 30 from elementary schools and 6 from high schools. Eleven portraits from the global series were displayed as posters at the Expo exhibition. 

Each photograph included captions in the child’s own words, explaining why they chose their costume. Their portraits carried emotions that words alone could not fully capture.

On the wall opposite the posters, a large screen showed presentation videos of all 36 Noto children, along with a behind-the-scenes making-of film. 

Other videos introduced OCHA’s work and KUMON’s global reach.

An interactive monitor table allowed visitors to explore a world map with points marking coountries where Tremeau has photographed children. Touching a location revealed photos from that region.

The venue remained lively throughout the exhibition period, welcoming school groups, families and international visitors.

Visitors surveys collected impressions of the exhibition. Some of their comments included:

“The child who wants to be a carpenter or firefighter. I thought it was amazing that despite painful experiences, they could still have dreams.”
(Female, 50s)

“It makes me very sad to see children saying they want to become soldiers from such a young age.” (Male, 13–18)

“The child who wanted to become a doctor because they lost a family member.”
(Male 19–29)

“I was struck by how often the word ‘protect’ appeared in the captions describing the children’s future dreams.”
(Female, 30)

“It’s rare to hear the voices of children from around the world, so everything left a deep impression on me.” (Male, 40)

Photographer Vincent Tremeau shared his thoughts on the exhibition’s impact:

“This exhibition not only reflects the harsh realities that children face, but also expresses the ‘positive hope’ that arises from those circumstances. It resonates deeply with the Expo’s theme: ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives.’ It reminds us how important children’s imagination is in shaping the future.”

“Watching visitors at the venue, I felt that they weren’t only looking at the photos but also paying close attention to the captions. Why is this child wearing this costume? What global circumstances lie behind it? If this exhibition encourages viewers to reflect, even slightly, and expand their perspective, I would be very happy.”

“Until now, this project has mainly been carried out in countries affected by conflict or humanitarian crises. Photographing children in a developed country like Japan for the first time, and on such a grand stage as Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, was emotional and proud moment for me. I’m truly grateful.”

“Children are the future leaders. They are the most imaginative and creative beings, yet they are often treated as voiceless. I believe it is our role as adults to amplify their voices and help create a positive future society. From that perspective, this exhibition has been a very meaningful experience.”