No.203-2
This Year Marks the Fiftieth
Anniversary of Meguro UNESCO Association
We Hope The Year Will Turn Out Significant
Public Relations Committee
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How we hoped for a warless and peaceful time on the arrival of the 21st century! The 20th century had dawned with great many sad incidents breaking out in Europe and Asia. The century might be called a "century of war” in the future. The 21st century also began with tragic incidents, such as the 9/11 attack and a series of underlying terrorism, civil wars, and conflicts. Could people lose their heads at such sad affairs? Could society be distorted through these sad affairs? These questions come to mind at the sight of tit-for-tat happenings. However, UNESCO says no to those questions. The beginning of the Preamble to the UNESCO Constitution says, "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." When World War II was nearing an end, our predecessors drew up a "blueprint" for postwar peace construction, associating the war with the tragic and vain experience of World War 1. The realization of their dream was entrusted to "UNESCO." The view that an international organization like UNESCO is necessary had already been held as early as the conclusion of World War I. We should not forget the fact that our predecessors like Inazoh Nitobe, Albert Einstein, Madame Curie, Henri Bergson, Dateaikitsu Tanaka and others made great efforts for peace, contributing for the foundation of UNESCO. Meguro UNESCO Association celebrates the 50th anniversary of foundation this year. Let us renew our determination to make efforts toward peace as sincerely as our founders fifty years ago and the people mentioned above prayed for peace on earth. |
Yasuo Hirata, Chairperson, the executive committee of the 50th anniversary
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This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of Meguro UNESCO Association. 1. A ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary to be held at PERSIMMON HALL on October the 2nd, 2004. 2. An anniversary lecture or symposium: We are negotiating with prospective speakers who are suitable for the occasion. We are also deciding between a lecture and symposium. 3. A commemorative concert: A concert by Ms. Yoko Urata and members of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is slated for October 29th, 2004. A concert by students at "Indiana University" in the USA is also under consideration. 4. A 50th anniversary issue: To commemorate the 40th anniversary, we issued "From A Small Region on Earth- Our 40-Year Path" with the collaboration of many people. We are thinking of publishing a 50th anniversary issue featuring the activities and events since the 40th anniversary from materials stored in Public Relations Committee. The contents and form should be decided. 5. Compilation and issue of a collection of children’s poems: We will solicit poems of hope, love, peace, future, etc. from children not only in Meguro but also all over the world. This project is meant for handing down the UNESCO spirit to the next generation. Youth Activity Committee will be responsible for formulating the course of action. 6. Consideration of founding a nonprofit organization: Now, Meguro UNESCO Association is a private organization. We are going to discuss to see if it is possible to reorganize the organization into a nonprofit corporation with an eye to taking more defined social responsibility as well as to making the organization more stable, transparent, public, and democratic. We will also weigh possible advantages against disadvantages involved with the reorganization. 7. Others: We may have more plans proposed. Requests and proposals are also welcome. They will be discussed in the executive board meeting. In summary, we would like to make plans focusing on young people who will build a future. With the 50th anniversary as a turning point, we would like to take the opportunity of promoting further cooperation, participation and growth through better understanding of the UNESCO spirit. |