　The Justice Minister acknowledged one of our activities, donating foreign books to the convicts from other countries in the Tochigi Prison. We have been doing this for about 10 years in cooperation with the 'Dokusho no megumi Movement'. On November 19, together with other publishers, we received a Letter of Thanks from Minister of Justice Mayumi Moriyama at the Japan Publishers Club (6 Hukuro-chou, Sinjuku-ku). We would like to thank all who have helped us, either as a Member or a Friendship Member. Thank you very much.

Note: What is the 'Dokusho no megumi Movement'? (Co-organizers: Tokyo Publication Cooperative and Japan Publishers Club). They have carried out this activity for 50 years (as of 2001) as part of the Reading Campaign. The number of books donated has reached 128million, all of which have been given out of goodwill mainly by the publication industry. Thus it is now a highly appreciated nationwide movement.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Junko Ashida Chairperson of the International Support Activities Committee

Mr. Ortega, Director of WFUCA visits Meguro UNESCO Association
　The Director of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations (WFUCA), Paul Ortega from

Spain, who had come to Japan for 'The 1st World TERAKOYA Conference' held in Kyoto, visited the Meguro UNESCO Association on December 6. At Moriya Kyouiku Kaikan, Chairperson Kato explained our activities to him with help from interpreter Ms. Kawakami. He was astonished to learn of our bilingual monthly short news and asked some questions at a Japanese class. Finally he said, "Meguro represents UNESCO's spirit better than the Headquarters in Paris!" which of course made us feel proud. We are again determined to contribute to the

Picture Above: Participating in a class　Picture Below: At a Japanese class, Mr. Paul Ortega, with the child of a student from Kazakhstan on his lap, together with Chairperson Kato and other staff. Mr. Paul Ortega is also Chairperson of the Spain UNESCO Club. He seemed to enjoy talking with Mr. Toyama, who went as a representative to the 'World Youth Conference of UNESCO' held in Spain

Drawings, handicrafts, calligraphic work and pictures exhibited: In addition to the usual contributions by Meguro UNESCO registered artists and members, the Japan UNESCO Association provided drawings by children from around the country, exhibited as 'Show the Treasures of our Town by Drawing'. (See the picture right). Work by Hiraguchi Taira, an artist and member living in Himonya, Meguro-ku, who had passed away just before the exhibition began, and picture panels of Miyoshi Kazuyoshi, a photographer, were also exhibited

Beginning with 'Raise the Anchor' and ending with 'The Saint's March', they gave such an exciting show that we almost forgot the time! We enjoyed their performance immensely.