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“Global Eyes, Local Action”
From October 27 (Thu) to 28 (Fri), more than 300 members from 44 UNESCO associations in the Kanto District gathered together in Hitachinaka City.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Kato, president of Meguro UNESCO Association, representing the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, made an organizer’s address referring to the issues of UNESCO extensively.
The reason the organizers chose those weekdays for the gathering was to give the participants a chance to see a treasure of the city, the Torazuka ancient tomb, which is open to the public twice a year. They chartered a bus for an optional tour to the tomb, and there was a kind on-the-spot explanation of the tomb. A keynote speech was given by Mr. Hatsushige Otsuka, a professor emeritus at Meiji University, who was engaged in an excavation of the tomb. He spoke enthusiastically and humorously about how scientists, city administrators and citizens understood each other and worked together in excavating and preserving the tomb. Because of their success in establishing a preservation method, he believes they will be able to maintain the good condition of the tomb for ages. The speech was full of valuable suggestions, because their works showed one model of UNESCO activities, incorporating “education, science and culture”.
In the afternoon of the first day and on the second day, participants split into 3 section meetings, where 19 people reported case studies. Representing our association, Vice president Fumiko Harada reported that we have been collecting miswritten postcards for eleven years with the help of elementary and junior high school students. Then, to respond to eager questions from the audience, she explained the objectives of this activity and the significance of telling children about “UNESCO’s Pledge for Peace” and the spirit of UNESCO.
Corresponding with the organizer’s intention to keep as much time as possible for reports, the participants showed their high awareness and enthusiasm through the gathering, which lasted until the closing ceremony.
- reported by Yukio Okusawa