　It is my honor to be the Chairman of MIFA, succeeding Mr. Siro Oishi, who devoted himself to MIFA. A relationship between MIFA and myself has existed for more than 10 years, starting from the time preparations were being made for the organization’s founding. Since then, it has been my long dream to do as much as possible for its development. However, when I was initially asked to take over the role of Chief Director, I felt I had to decline. Considering my work with Meguro UNESCO, performing such an important role with MIFA was too difficult to take on. That was just before MIFA’s 10th anniversary ceremony.

　However, I believe the UNESCO activities are not the exclusive reserve of nongovernmental UNESCO associations. They are to be conducted by the national government and local autonomies themselves in accordance with the law.　They are for “all the people” to participate in. With that in mind, activities by the Meguro UNESCO Association and MIFA could be duplicated. Although the organizations may be different, they can cooperate for the common mission, I told myself, and decided to accept the offer. The mission of these associations is to promote peace on this earth, based upon global visions. The activities may be international understanding, cooperation and support. In other words, these actions will seek a better living environment, where everyone lives in harmony, each having rights and duties, regardless of generation, national boarders and nations.

　This year, following the Meguro Ward’s office move, the MIFA head office and conference rooms will be moved to a new building. Meguro UNESCO Association also announced a new office, independent from the city buildings. Both associations are asked to continue their work as before in their “new offices”. It may not be a smooth road, but it is a truly important road, I would like to walk this road with many of you. I would like to ask you for continued cooperation and understanding.

Moving:　From the early morning of August 20, under the blue sky with no clouds after the typhoon, the work for moving our office started.　The goods to be moved, which looked more than the two-ton truck could carry, safely reached Gohongi Elementary School with the help of Mr. Shimizu, Chairperson of the Training Program Committee, and twenty more members.　By the afternoon, to our relief, the completion of the moving was in sight.　We really appreciate all the helping hands given to us.

New Office:　Now we have put the room in order, reinstalled the telephone, and improved things for our convenience, it is becoming a more comfortable office to use day by day. One noteworthy thing is that Mr. Mochizuki, Chairperson of the Cultural Activity Committee, made a splendid conference room with his professional-like interior finishing techniques.　The cloth covered walls give an impression of it being the living room of some famous residence. There are also many things Gohongi Elementary School kindly gave us: a large semicircle table, as you can see in the photo on the left, swivel chairs, and shelves made of steel.　

　On Sept. 3, as it was the first day of the new term for school children, a poster written by Morita-san, young member of Meguro UNESCO, was put on the wall of the corridor.　It said, "Hello, everybody.　Meguro UNESCO has moved in here. Pleased to see you all."　We often saw children peep into the new office with a curious look saying, "What is UNESCO?"

　The new office of Meguro UNESCO came into being by the special understanding and support of Meguro City and Gohongi Elementary School.　We are really fortunate. We have to recognize also that this public property is lent to nongovernmental organizations based on Article 4 of the "legislation concerning UNESCO's activities".　The Article says, "The nation or a local government, in order to achieve the aim of Article 1, is to participate in UNESCO activities and, if necessary, give advice to nongovernmental UNESCO activities as well as cooperate with them."　It also says, "A government, admitting it necessary for the promotion of nongovernmental UNESCO activities, can help carry out their programs according to the government ordinance."　Our association should realize the important role and great responsibility given to this office, as President Kato mentioned in the last newsletter: the role as "a children's center for international understanding"; "Put new wine into fresh-skins."　We'd like to make the new office the base of active UNESCO activities with the will of all the members.

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