Report on the 59th National Convention of UNESCO Movement in

Lilacs blooming and trees wrapped in green, over five hundred people gathered in Sapporo to welcome Dr. Richard Arndt, president of Americans for UNESCO, to the UNESCO symposium “The U.S.A. After 9.11 and the World in Crisis”. A special lecture “Nature ? from Conservation to Creation” was also given on the occasion by Minoru Taketazu a veterinarian and Ex-Chief of ‘Okhotsk Village’.　　　　　　Photo-- From left:

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Dr. Arndt, interpreter, and Mr. Hattori.

"　You humans are destructing the environment. Act now, or you'll end up suffering from incurable diseases just as we are　 Once I started hearing voices of the animals under my treatment, I knew I had to share them with my close friends. And when I did, I found that they were all feeling the same.

Decades have past since environmental problems became an issue. But action compares poorly with discussion. 'Please plant a tree. Please don't use too much insecticide just to kill one ant. Please provide us with crops grown in rich soil and not with chemicals.' All our wishes were in vain. Like any other village, Okhotsk Village too is afflicted by acid rain and polluted rivers."

Mr. Taketazu spoke softly of the pollution of the environment, giving us numerous examples. He also gave supplementary comments in the fourth sectional meeting held on the second day, that the National Convention held in Sapporo 32 years ago took up environmental issues, that the situation hasn't changed since then, and that the time has come for each one of us to take action as a member of the global society.

Mr. Eiji Hattori, Trustee, National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, Executive, World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations

Referring to his first visit to Japan, Dr. Arndt expressed his respect for his teacher, Dr. John E. Fobes, who had hoped to visit Japan on the occasion. Dr. Fobes, having served as Deputy Director-General of UNESCO from 1971 through 1977, founded Americans for the Universality of UNESCO in cooperation with some former diplomats in 1984, when the United States decided to withdraw from UNESCO. He has visited Japan for a lecture organized by Tokyo Liaison Council of UNESCO Associations in 1986.

Prior to Dr. Arndt's comments, Mr. Eiji Hattori, advisor to Meguro UNESCO Association, episodically introduced Dr. John E. Fobes as a man of conscience, who gave up all official posts on the U.S withdrawal from UNESCO and started out Americans for the Universality of UNESCO with his wife in his own house. He also emphasised that Dr. Arndt was one of the few direct followers of Dr. Fobes and that he would like to support his activities in order to arouse the good conscience of the American people.

Within the years, Meguro UNESCO Association has made great contributions in internationally promoting UNESCO activities through our English Short News, the English pages on our website, and through Retreat participants and Friendship members living abroad. Now, we must go further in encouraging our friends abroad to spread the spirit of UNESCO. There is more we can do at grass roots level.

In the National Convention, the Youth Committee, having pledged their unity in their own agenda, gathered on stage at the closing ceremony. There, they livened up the audience by claiming their resolution to undertake the future of UNESCO: "We shall be the bond."

Eight regular members and seven youth members participated in the National Convention from Meguro UNESCO Association. Getting acquainted with other UNESCO members was a great pleasure, and travelling to a new part of the country was full of surprises.　 All members are welcomed to participate in the Regional Convention of Kanto held at the World Heritage of Nikko on September 12-13. Naturally as a UNESCO-related event, there will be special chances to visit usually-closed spots.　 The site for next year's 60th National Convention is Matsuyama, Shikoku, dates unfixed.

Note: 'Americans for UNESCO' was renamed from ‘Americans for the Universality of UNESCO’, when the U.S. proclaimed its intention to re-enter UNESCO last year.