　Keeping this in mind, the organization, PTA (Parent Teachers Association), originated in 1895, when an idea struck an American woman, Mrs. Alice Birney,while looking affectionately at her child's sleeping face. She thought that,first of all, mothers should be a shield to protect children. She stood up and took action to nurture a lot of precious lives to grow up healthy in a society full of evils and unfairness. Two years later, she successfully realized her plan by establishing the National Congress of Mothers. However, Mrs.Alice understood that there was a limitation to a mother's power to build her children's character. She addressed this issue with deep discernment and modest actions, which led up to the establishment of PTA with the hope that not only mothers, but also fathers and teachers would be good parents and good teachers.

　Thanks to co-operation from the PTA federation and the board of education of the Meguro ward, we started the "Campaign for Unused Postcard Contribution"for the "UNESCO World Terakoya Movement" again this year. Leaflets were distributed to school children in the ward. This time, on one side of the appeal leaflet is printed a calendar entitled "UNESCO Movement 2001 for Peace Building". The pretty picture in the calendar was painted by Ms. Chifo Katsuyama, a painter whose theme is environmental conservation. The calendar was designed by a graphic designer, Mr. Shigeo Katsuoka, who placed the picture beside " My Peace Declaration" in the center. They are both members of the Association. I hope this calendar will be pinned on the wall of every house for twelve months. School education is important, but home education is the most important foundation for children. Warmness at home, parents' attitude to life, philosophy, and ethics exert a great influence on their children's future.

　As home education is fundamental to children, so the very phrase "the spirit spoken by UNESCO" is to peace building. Most of the purposes of various organizations like UNICEF, local international exchange organizations, and nongovernmental international relations organizations of all sizes can be traced back to "the spirit spoken by UNESCO" .The spirit of UNESCO is everyone's as the Constitution of the UNESCO stipulates. However, the recognition and the correct understanding of it have not been shared by many Japanese even now, 50 years after gaining membership to UNESCO.

　The decade of "Peace and Non-violence for Children in the World" has just started. The children themselves are the treasure of the 21st century. The adults in society now should not spare effort, so that children are able to lead happy and brilliant lives. I think the promotional campaign of UNESCO spirit is one of the means and challenges for the 21st century.