How much we enjoy the English class for the youth at Meguro

The theme of this year's retreat was "Let's make another best friend in the world". It was proposed by staff members, who wished the retreat would bring the participants an opportunity to make friends from different cultures. So we filled the 3 days with various programs that would help people interact with others. The first day began with "a bus recreation". Then, after we arrived at the camping site, "an ice breaking" and inter-group sporting events were held. On the second day, we were excited by debates and a campfire. On the last day, we enjoyed introducing other participants' countries and making flags. We took up the challenge of some new programs this year, especially, the debates which had not been held until last year. Different from "a discussion", which is to express one's own opinion, in "debates", you make a group and are expected to decide your point of view in an argument and explain it logically. You are supposed to discuss and cooperate with your group members what points you would express most, assume what points the opponent would claim. And this process would lead you to exchange your opinions with your group members. During the debate, we experienced exchanging various opinions, and in a match, we were excited with forceful opinions with which to attack the opponents.

The next program was to introduce other participants' countries. On the first day, each group was assigned counties to introduce. Then each group conducted research about the country by interviewing participants who came from that country. For example, how they exchange greetings, what they eat as their staple food, etc. Then, on the last day, each group made a presentation about what they researched. Every participant seemed to be interested in hearing about counties, which until then they only knew their names and had little knowledge.

Lastly, through 3 days experience, I would like to say that the each participant, including the staff members, friends from UNESCO School and the advisors, played a leading role in the retreat. I want to express my gratitude to all the people who participated the retreat and the staff members who made every effort preparing the camp.

I’m Convinced that the Retreat Was a Success
　Vice Chairperson of Youth Activity Committee, Takeshi Kusuhara
Dear friends and readers, from July 31 to August 2, the 14th International Friendship Youth Retreat was held as usual. Last year I participated as an ordinary participant but this year I worked as one of the staff on the event. I was puzzled because most of the staff this year were participating in the Retreat for the first time, but some experienced staff members helped us start the event. We decided on the theme for this year "Let's make another best friend in the world" because we strongly wanted the participants to make friends with each other in this event. I'm now satisfied with this theme because it represents our common wishes in a simple way.
Because I had a will to make a different plan from those in other years, I proposed a lot. We changed the discussion program to a debate program, and planned to have the program of introducing other participants' countries on the third day.
Debate is more difficult than discussion but it was a great help that I had the experience of participating in a debating competition named "Deba-lympic" on June 22.
In the program "Introducing Other Participants' Countries" you are supposed to research a foreign country by talking to students who come from that country. The aim of this program is to talk and communicate with other participants. In this program lots of participants had heated discussions. Some were so forceful that they impressed others with the image of fixed ideas, and some foreign students were so excited that they began to speak in their mother language. For the program of introducing other participants' countries, all the group members, trying to find time in their own tight schedule, fired a barrage of questions to foreign students so they could talk a lot with them.
I am convinced that this event was successful because lots of participants deeply appreciated our efforts.

Friendship members enjoyed the Bon Festival Dance!

On July 16, as it was in the middle of the rainy season, we were afraid it would rain. Fortunately, however, it was a fine evening after earlier rain. 7 friendship members and 10 Japanese members gathered on the precincts of Yutenji-Temple,
and joined the Bon festival dance.
At first friendship members danced clumsily, but soon they became skilled. 2 Thai sisters wearing yukata (informal summer kimono) were completely absorbed in scooping goldfish because it was the first experience to enjoy the lined stands on both sides of the street. On their way home, we were sorry that the thongs of geta (wooden clogs) had caused blisters on their feet, but we had an enjoyable night!