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Reiko Kato, President of Meguro UNESCO Association

“The 64th National Convention of UNESCO Movement in Tokyo” was organized in such a way that the main features, including a concert, were held in the Big Hall. In addition, complementary activities took place at various locations, such as exhibitions on the first floor hallway and in the foyer of the Small Hall, a youth band, and an Open Space for Exchange in the gymnasium. The timing of these events harmonized with their spatial distribution to create a beautiful programme. From the beginning to the end, each item had been carefully positioned in line with one theme. This theme was highlighted by a keynote speech entitled “Present Science Technology Challenging the Future of the Earth and its Sustainability” by Prof. Itaru Yasui. This was followed by a symposium entitled “You Are the One Who Creates Tomorrow’s Earth”. It was a fruitful and evocative learning opportunity. For more details, please refer to the journal “UNESCO” (published by NFUAJ).

The preparations for the convention were indeed very exhaustive. There were wide-ranging activities including study sessions for the symposium. Also, for a play prepared by the youths, a script was created and other activities all the way through to a stage rehearsal. The rehearsal, attended by Miyoko Tashiro and children, was held at a rented space in Meguro Municipal Higashine Elementary School. Other preparations were necessary for exhibitions, the gym, and other vital background roles.

The National Convention has been held at different places in Japan several times. This one was said to be unique in being so open to children, young people, elderly people, and even people from other countries, who could come into contact with each other and learn together.

It was amazing that so many people supported us, from the day when Meguro was chosen as the convention site to the end. The help was immeasurable. I was worried about the weather in the rainy season, but we were so lucky that it did not rain. I would like to express my deep appreciation to UNESCO members and other people who came from various places to attend the convention, to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Meguro City, Meguro Board of Education, and Meguro Foundation of Art and Culture for co-hosting the convention. Also to supporting organizations, organizations related to Meguro Persimmon Hall, people who cooperated for the exhibitions, Ecolife Meguro, Dentsu Inc., people working at the local shopping area, and many other people for their support. I would also like to thank many people for their donations to the “Great Sichuan Earthquake fundraising” and “Gift for the Future” fundraising（i.e. funds for fostering children in Japan), young volunteers including high school students, and people from the Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Associations. Again I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the secretariat of NFUAJ and staff of Meguro UNESCO Association for their supporting efforts extended night and day, and all the other people who involved themselves.

I hope the fruit of the convention will be utilized for the start of the 61st year of the non-governmental UNESCO movement. What to do and how to act are big challenges for the bright future of Earth. It is necessary to have a new, comprehensive set of values in terms of culture, environment, education, economics, etc. in our hearts and minds, wherein “peace” can be nurtured. To realise the theme “You Are the One Who Creates Tomorrow’s Earth”, let us take new steps, wherever we are.

Organizers: National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ),
Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Associations, NPO Meguro UNESCO Association
Co-organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education, Meguro City,
Meguro Board of Education, Meguro Foundation of Art and Culture

Sponsored by Meguro Board of Education / Organized by Meguro UNESCO Association
Lecturer: Yoshiyuki Nagata, Associate Professor, University of Sacred Heart
Date and time: March 11 (Tue), 2008, from 18:30 to 20:30
Place: Nakameguro GT Plaza Hall　/　Audience: 40 people

UNESCO has been working, as a leading organization, to promote and implement the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) (2005 – 2014) adopted by the United Nations. The idea of sustainable development or SD, was born in the 1980s, and in 1990s the necessity of its education was recognized, and the letter E (education) was added. Recently, people have become concerned about the global environmental crisis such as the destruction of nature caused by “Global Warming”, problems of food and population, etc., and now serious discussions are being made in various fields based on the idea of SD.　In this lecture, Mr. Nagata, who has been working for UNESCO activities for long time, suggested us important ideas which lead us to think about “what we should do now for the future”.
He explained to us difficult issues, in a friendly and plain way, such as “what is SD?”, “Why ESD is needed now?”, “How to implement ESD in your community” and “Case study of the actions taken in China and UK”.　　　　　　　　 -reported by Yoshio Shimizu, PR committee

Appreciating Tea Ceremony with its Spirit of “Wakei Seijaku
Date: Sat. Mar.15, 2008 Place: Sakura Plaza / 21 attendees
Yoshiko Nakajima, Japanese Language Education Committee

One Saturday afternoon, when cherry blossoms were about to start blooming, “Invitation to the Tea Ceremony” was held, organized by Ms. Rumiko Iwasaki and Ms. Yasuko Kamata in charge of Japanese Class Exchange Programs. This program was planned mainly for Friendship members, and 11 Friendship members and 2 regular members joined. The program started in a tense atmosphere. The host (Teishu) was Ms. Masumi Saito. The guest of honor (shoukyaku) was played by Ms. Sachiko Kiriyama, the 2nd guest (jikyaku) by Ms. Takeko Hashimoto, and the 3rd guest (sankyaku) by Ms. Keiko Kajitani. Friendship members sitting upright with their legs folded under them looked seriously to what would happen next.
After the ceremony was over, kimono dressed Ms.Kiriyama, who played shoukyaku explained the spirit of “Wakei Seijaku” - harmony, reverence, purity and tranquility. Questions were also raised by Friendship members. As the atmosphere lightened Ms. Kiriyama explained the cake used in the ceremony, which was named “Cherry Blossom”, and how to drink the tea. And finally, the cake and the tea were served to everyone.
After a while, some friendship members who were chosen by lottery actually prepared tea as a host and experienced “the spirit of tea ceremony”. It was their first host performance (otemae), and they looked so serious, which we had never seen in Japanese classes before.
The tea ceremony took about 2 hours. “This was the most enjoyable tea ceremony I’ve ever joined”, “I enjoyed and felt relaxed”, and other comments were given by Friendship members. By those comments, even I, who only did the ohakobi (carrying a bowl of tea to each guest), was encouraged. I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who participated in this program.

April 19 (Sat), 2008, from 14：00, at Moriya Kyoiku Kaikan, Conference Room 6
Attended by 49 members (with 160 letters of attorney)

In the middle of April, under young, shining green leaves, Meguro UNESCO Association received members’ approval through the general assembly and started its FY 2008 activities.　The conference proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, with many guests visiting the conference as usual, including Mr. Teruo Oshio, Superintendent of Education of Meguro City. In an opening address, Ms. Reiko Kato, the president of Meguro UNESCO Association, referring to the prospectus of Meguro UNESCO Association, mentioned as follows ---“To improve a cultural status in Meguro and to bring brighter future to our community, we are always willing to do our best.” And then, she extended her gratitude to all the people who helped us in the preparation for the coming National Convention of UNESCO Movement in Tokyo.
The bills discussed on the conference were as follows and all of them were approved.
*Activity reports, a statement of accounts, an audit report in FY 2007
*Activity plan and a budget plan in FY 2008
*Approval of adding another person to directors
After the meeting, 3 activities were reported. Those were UNESCO Movement Promotion Committee members’ report (by Ms. Saito, Mr. Kimpara), report on the study tour to the Philippines (by Ms. Hojo), report on the study tour to Cambodia (by Ms. Harada, Ms. Hisatomi, Mr. Shimosato). Then a tea party was held and the schedule was closed at 16:45. 　　　　　　
-reported by Michiko Hisatomi, PR Committee

“You Are the One Who Creates Tomorrow’s Earth –
The Spirit of Mottainai (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)”The National Convention United Our Hearts to One.
Attendees: 1,200 7-8 June 2008 at Meguro Persimmon Big Hall

The Convention began with the high-spirited singing voices of Ms. Miyoko Tashiro, a member of Meguro UNESCO, and the members of Meguro UNESCO Junior Club “Cosmos”, followed by a declaration of opening the conference by the children of “Cosmos”. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of Education and Science, the Metropolis of Tokyo, China and Korea, made congratulatory speeches. Mr. Masatake Matsuda, President of NFUAJ, gave a welcoming speech and Mr. Aoki, the mayor of Meguro City, also welcomed the attendees. After the opening speeches, those who had attended the Convention ten times were acknowledged and the new members of UNESCO Movement Promotion Committee were approved. Following the opening ceremony, the first Exchange Time was held at the Wai Wai Hiroba-Open Space and in the foyer, where people chatted over tea and sweets.
From 6 pm we all enjoyed a concert of piano, clarinet and cello, of which the planning committee was happy to receive favorable reviews. The first day ended after the youth group gathered for Minnano Tsudoi.
The second day started with the reports on UNESCO Terakoya Movement in Asia, and people from India, Cambodia and Laos reported on activities in their respective countries. They reported again in detail at a satellite session in the Small Hall. The youth group presented a drama (combination of stage play and movie) entitled “HERO: A Grand Rescue Operation of the Earth”. Their powerful acting and humor appealed strongly to the audience. During the second Exchange Time at noon, the students’ band from Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School and the UNESCO youth, played to enhance the cheerful atmosphere.
In the afternoon, Mr. Itaru Yasui gave a keynote speech on “Present Science Technology Challenging the Future of the Earth and its Sustainability”. (Details will be in the July issue of　the NFUAJ journal “UNESCO”.) Following the speech, a symposium entitled “You Are the One Who Creates Tomorrow’s Earth” was led by Mr. Hiroshi Nagano, Mr. Itaru Yasui, Mr. Kazuyuki Mikami and Ms. Mikiko Hayashi. (Details will be in the September issue of “UNESCO”). We all had an educational as well as fruitful afternoon.
During the Convention, donation boxes for the Great Sichuan Earthquake and Gift for the Future were set up. The money collected for the earthquake was handed directly to Mr. Tao Xiping, President of the Asia Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, and he gave us a thank-you speech.
The executive committee of Meguro UNESCO Association and over 60 members worked hard backstage, and together with members of NFUAJ and Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Association, the Convention was a success. Ms. Reiko Kato, President of Meguro UNESCO Association, thanked everyone in her closing speech of the Convention.
- Masumi Saito, PR Committee

Mitsuko Kato, Site organizer of Wai Wai Hiroba
Participating countries: Iraq, Egypt, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Nepal,
Pakistan, Fiji, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Laos, Lebanon

Wai Wai Hiroba, a first attempt at the Convention to provide a space for people to get together and have fun, was helped by the members of Japanese language classes. We all had so much fun to make the space work well. In the first floor hallway, Terakoya KURURINPA (upside-down pictures) supported by Dentsu Inc., panels of environmental problems, and children’s paintings and picture diaries, were exhibited. These attracted much attention.
At Yagumo Gymnasium, 13 countries and 2 shops (Shiinomi Sha, UNESCO Goods) opened booths and welcomed the members in their national costumes. Those who entered the room were soothed with the spaciousness and the greenery seen through the windows.
At each booth people enjoyed listening to embassy staff explaining enthusiastically about their own country in Japanese, tasting snacks of different countries, experiencing kava (herbal drink) ceremony at the Fiji booth and taking pictures. It was good to see that Wai Wai Hiroba at the gymnasium had turned into a very effective friendship space.
Working with the staff of Persimmon Hall and Yagumo Gymnasium, students of Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School, friendship members, volunteers from Meguro UNESCO Association and others (130 people in total), we could put another step toward the ideal of UNESCO, a Culture of Peace. I sincerely appreciate your cooperation and pray for this friendship circle to grow even bigger in the future.