NO.１８５
2002.４.1０
NO.１８５
2002.４.1０
| Recently I attended a party in Ginza to celebrate the publication of
“Dream Weavers” by Ms Tsuneko Sasamoto, the first female news photographer
in Japan. The book shows the photographs together with many episodes in
the lives of 18 contemporary people, which originally appeared in serial
form in the Hokkaido Shinbun (newspapers). Through the photographs and
episodes readers can also trace the life experiences of the author. I became
acquainted with her when I asked her to deliver a speech for us last December
at the suggestion of Mr. Ohtaki, President of Tokyo Liaison Council of
UNESCO Associations. Many famous people including Mr. Kaneto Shindo, a highly praised movie producer at the Moscow film festival, whose photographs and episode appeared in the book, attended the party. I also met Ms Teruko Nagaoka, who is a well-known stage actress and my alumna, and renewed our memories of old school days. There was Mr. Seiichiro Kubojima, a novelist and the owner of a museum in Nagano, who collects and displays paintings by art students who died during the war. Ms Masako Morioka, a 90 year-old lady, was there, too. She is a victim of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and tours around the country telling about her horrible experiences. I felt that a certain promising and energetic air was surrounding Ms Sasamoto. I was almost certain that it was the product of 50-year accumulation of energies of the UNESCO movement in Japan. Also recently Mr. Shinji Yoneda, Head of the International Understanding Research Institute, Tetsukayama Gakuin University sent me his book. The book, entitled “The Global Citizens Change,” consisted of the records of the open lectures and symposium for international understanding conducted by the Institute. Mr. Yoneda has been engaged in education of international understanding on the basis of the UNESCO ideals and his book will definitely serve readers in enhancing their energies for UNESCO activities. Lastly I am happy to announce that a magazine entitled “Pioneering UNESCO Movements” is coming out of print shortly to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan's admission to UNESCO as well as the 40th anniversary of formation of the Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Associations. It is composed of the records of the “World Heritage Photographs Exhibition” and Ms Sasamoto's lecture on “People and Events in the Showa Era.” It also includes messages from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Office, the Educational Committees and other people connected with UNESCO, as well as some young people's opinions. The laws and regulations related with UNESCO together with the 40-year history of the Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Associations are attached. By going through the magazine you will feel the energies of people who devoted themselves to the UNESCO movement during the past half a century. The significance of “Dream Weavers” falls upon my mind. As our UNESCO movement increases its significance, we must be steady on our feet. Each one of us must be a weaver of hope and the UNESCO movement. |