No.210[Q
15th International Friendship Youth
Retreat: report
Dates: July 25 (Sun.) ~ July 27
(Tue.), 2004 Place: Meguro Citizens'
Nature Village (Wada-mura, Nagano Pref.)
Organised by: Meguro UNESCO Association / Youth Activity
Committee (Leader: Genta Atoji, Mieko Morita)
Supported by: Meguro Board of
Education, Meguro International Friendship Association, Japan Student Services
Organisation,
Komaba International House, National Federation of UNESCO
Associations in Japan (NFUAJ)
Participants: 23 participants; students and adults from 7 nations (Japan, Yemen, Korea, Taiwan, China, Nepal, and America)
Theme of this year : Let's Discuss Volunteer Activity!
![]() |
The 15th International Friendship Youth Retreat started on July 25, for the convenience of the dormitory hall. The number of participants was much less than usual, partly because many students were still sitting for the term examinations at the time. Nine advisers and only 14 youths participated. We tried hard to talk with each other, learn together and deepen each otherfs understanding, so we were able to gain a lot through sharing views in this relatively small group. This was a very wonderful experience. |
On the first day: We arrived at the venue at noon, almost at the scheduled time. After the opening ceremony, we spent time in a relaxed manner. We had group meeting from the evening until bedtime. On the second day: 6 ofclock in the morning, about ten persons participated in radio gymnastic exercises. After breakfast, Professor Eiji Hattori gave us a lecture that lasted more than 2 hours. After lunch, Professor Shigeo Tajima gave us a lecture. He prepared handouts regarding evolunteer activitiesf and we spent substantial time over them. Discussion in small groups became so heated that we were able to have valuable time to share the findings in the presentation meeting on the following day. On the third day: Making presentation of the findings gained in the discussion on the previous day; collecting impromptu writings on the flag; exchanging messages; taking pictures under the flag; and having lunch. We left the camp place at 1:30 and came back to Nakameguro in the evening, both on time as we previously scheduled. Dismiss. |
The notable feature of this year: Most of the participants attended the retreat for the first time. We could not have enough time for the staff meeting before the retreat. However, each participant seemed to obtain great fulfilment, chiefly because they were able to have sense of solidarity, taking advantages of ease in communication due to the small size of the party. Another notable thing was that each of the lectures given by the lecturers was very substantial. It is a pity we cannot publish the entire contents of the lectures here. We are now thinking of the possibility of publishing them on our home page.
Summary of the lecture given by Professor Hattori
These four phases were as follows:
@since 1945: the axis of east and west (America-Soviet confrontation)
Asince 1960: the axis of south and north (many new countries were born in the south, emerging from colonial rule)
Bsince 1975: New World Order (the world of Co-Action)
Csince 1990: culture of peace.
Now is the time to emphasise epeacef which is the original principle of the UNESCO, as if the hands of a clock revolve to return to the original point. Following these phases, Professor Hattori presented a wide range of topics, including the origin and history of the local UNESCO activities in Japan; the politicisation of the UNESCO (withdrawal and re-affiliation of both America and the Soviet Union); and the features of UNESCO activities (although the organisation has limited fund, it will change the world by creating a commotion) and etc.
UNESCOfs Top Priority Policy:
@Basic Education (He mentioned UNESCOfs activities including eEducation for Allf and eliteracy educationf with concrete examples. Countries, which achieved comprehensive provision of primary education, especially basic education for girls, surely succeeded in decreasing birth rate. UNESCO was the first advocator of the importance of basic education being a single measure to resolve a population explosion, the depletion of natural resources, and environmental problems)
AImportance of studying science and environmental problems BImportance of protection of cultural heritage and cultural diversity (eUniversal Declaration on Cultural Diversityf is very important next to eUniversal Declaration of Human Rightsf)
UNESCO and its Volunteer Activities: Prof. Hattori mentioned that one of the features of volunteer activities was diversity, and compared it with governmental activities, which require unity. Therefore, he mentioned, people should co-operate beyond political boundaries and contribute themselves to volunteer activities in order to make world peace realised.
His lecture was very rich in content, based
on his experience of working actively at UNESCO Paris headquarters for 21
years.
next Page