Report on the 13th International Friendship Youth Retreat (P

Dear friends and readers, from the 1^stto 3^rd of August, I had the good fortune to take part in the UNESCO 13^th International Friendship Youth retreat 2002. With the theme of “Speak up! Be friends! Walk together!”, this year's retreat was held at the very scenic and peaceful Meguro Citizen's Nature Village at Wada-mura in the Nagano Prefecture.

My name is Alvin Oo and I am a Singaporean studying in France but during my summer vacation, I was in Japan for 2 months to do my internship at Hitachi and to learn the Japanese language. The UNESCO retreat gave me the opportunity to not only meet up with like minded youths from Japan and around the world but also to discuss and actively contribute to the crucial issue of education in the world today.

The UNESCO Retreat, although being held in Japan, was truly an international affair with youths from countries on the other side of the globe like Brazil and Croatia and also youths from countries in Asia like from the Philippines, Korea and China to name of some. This interchange and mingling of many different cultures gave rise to a very enriching and eye-opening 3 days for all participants. Not only did everyone enjoy the fun activities like the very creative, group-oriented games, the games of soccer and volleyball and a campfire followed by fireworks, but also having had the lively discussion on the issue of education in the world lent a certain depth and purpose to the entire retreat. A big thanks also to Mr Eiji Hattori, who kick-started the entire discussion with an insightful lecture on the same issue.

The rustic location of the camp, high in the hills and surrounded by lush green forests, allowed the participants to fully contemplate on issues and mingle with one another away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The natural beauty of the place, from the cold mists that rose in the morning to the clear night sky with thousands of twinkling stars, all lent a magical air to the entire retreat and gave us for 3 days a chance to slow down our hectic pace of life for once and to think about the less fortunate around the world.

　Although I worked as a staff member at the Retreat, this was the first time I had participated in one.　The veteran staff members were really reckless to invite me!　I took charge of recreation with four other members.　Everyone had said, "A preparation in advance is important!"　So we had tried to make careful preparations.　However, the reality was that we hadn't prepared quite well enough.　On reflection, there seem to be many points that could be improved.

　Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, and I received good responses from the participants, so I think this Retreat was a success.　It was the result of the efforts by the recreation staff, advice from other staff, cooperation of advisors including Mr. Tajima, and the positive participation by all members.　I had a lot of pleasure.　I thank everyone!

　 For several years UNECO School students have participated in the Retreat.　This year two high school boys and three junior high school girls joined the Retreat, led by Takashi Saito, Chairperson of the UNESCO School Administration Committee, and Fumiko Harada.

　I participated in the Retreat at Wada Village, Nagano Prefecture.　About 80 people left Tokyo by bus at 7:30 a.m. on August 1.　From Meguro UNESCO School, Ms. Harada, Mr. Saito and five students participated.　We arrived at the beautiful green Wada Village at noon.　

Wada Village was cooler than Tokyo, and the air was also cleaner.　Unfortunately it rained at night and so the fireworks event had to be cancelled.　On the second day, the seven of us from UNESCO School walked in the wooded mountains.　I felt good to be amongst the trees, and I saw many rare insects that can't be seen in Tokyo.　We enjoyed making a campfire at night.　On the third day we each autographed a massage on a UNESCO flag. We were also shown the flags of the past three years with messages, and I looked back on those days with nostalgia

Mr. Madoka Nishinoiri, director of Meguro UNESCO, passed away on July 7 at the age of 60.　　　Mr. Satoru Kamegaya, honorary member of Meguro UNESCO, passed away on July 24 at the age of 93.　

● Mr. Kamegaya, the founder of Meguro Parasitological Museum, was the Vice President of the Meguro UNESCO Association at the time of its foundation (1954).　Since then he had been deeply involved in the UNESCO movement, with a continuous interest in the development of Meguro UNESCO for half a century.

● Mr. Nishinoiri learned a lot from Ms. Elizabeth Rose, the first President of the Colorado UNESCO Association, who is called the mother of the United Nations University.　He had been one of the most important, active members of Meguro UNESCO.　