Report on the 62nd National Convention of UNESCO Movement
The 62nd National Convention of UNESCO Movement, under the direction of Mr. Masatake Matsuda, the new president of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, was held on June 3 and 4, in Hanamaki City, Iwate Pref. The place is famous as the hometown of Kenji Miyazawa, a poet famous for his poem titled “Ame Nimo Makezu” (“Undaunted by Rain”) and also as the hometown of Inazo Nitobe’s forefathers. Inazo Nitobe, the author of “Bushido: The Soul of Japan”, performed an important role in establishing “the International Committee for Intellectual Cooperation”, the forerunner of UNESCO.
We enjoyed Hanamaki in June, for the beautiful green leaves and fresh air.
The first day started with a theme, “Are you thinking of your neighbors? ? For a future of peace and coexistence?”. Following a suggestive keynote speech by Mr. Tetsuo Yamaori (former Director-General of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies), titled “A Vision of Coexistence among Different Civilizations”, a symposium was held with Mr. Yamaori as a coordinator. The panelists were Mr. Masashi Kojima, former President of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, Mr. Shinji Yoneda, the president of the Japan Society of Education for International Understanding and Ms. Wang Min, Professor of Hosei University, who joined UNESCO Movement influenced by Kenji Miyazawa. In their discussion, they often referred to Kenji Miyazawa and Inazo Nitobe. For example, they mentioned that you could find in the life and works of Kenji Miyazawa the wisdom of coexistence and contact with nature.
On the second day, the participants divided into 4 section meetings, which were “the World Terakoya Movement”, “the World Heritage Activity”, “Peace and International Understanding” and “Acting with Young People”.
“Aiming for the ultimate purpose, the human beings are at one. Our efforts have to be made toward the unity of people. Without this, we would never be able to obtain eternal peace, happiness or prosperity.” With those words by Inazo Nitobe, we braced ourselves up and with Kenji Miyazawa, we enjoyed heart-warming feelings through those two days.
- reported by Yoichi Shimosato, PR Committee
