Step into the world together!
Day of International Cooperation & Exchange 2011
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On November 20, 2011, thirty-two events were held at International Conference Center Hiroshima,
the area near Heiwa Odori Boulevard and other venues, as part of Day of International Cooperation
& Exchange 2011. This was the 12th time that the event has been held, and a total of 7,200
participants learned about international exchange and cooperation.
"Chikyu no Stage 6" – Back Home for Eternity:
Special Earthquake Version
This year once again this event was led by Dr. Norihiko Kuwayama (a psychiatrist who runs a clinic
in Natori City, Miyagi). He used live performance and enlarged images to describe various incidents
happening around the world.
The performance was made up of three parts. In the first part, "Rwanda", Dr. Kuwayama told the
story of a group of high school girls who had lost hope in the midst of the conflict in Rwanda.
Through music with Dr. Kuwayama, they deepened their friendship, opened up, and started to think
about the future. The images depicted the tragedy of damage from war and the preciousness of
peace.
This was followed by images of aid activities at a refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border.
Dr. Kuwayama described his friendship with a young man who came as an Indochinese refugee from
that camp to Japan, and the importance of living together in harmony with non-Japanese people
living in Japan.
In the last part, "Great East Japan Earthquake", Dr. Kuwayama talked about his own experience
providing care to patients who came to his clinic immediately after the Great East Japan
Earthquake. His clinic is located in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was one of the main
affected areas, but the clinic escaped damage from the tsunami. He also described the site of
those affected by the earthquake, doing their best to get on with their lives. Participants were
deeply impressed by Dr. Kuwayama's commitment in these activities.
"We must do something from Hiroshima!"
－Great East Japan Earthquake and International Cooperation－
JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and other organizations conducted this project to
promote the importance of international cooperation activities throughout Japan. Joining Dr.
Kuwayama in "Chikyu no Stage" from Hiroshima were PR project member and singer Ms. Chiharu
Tamaki, NPO representative Ms. Tomoko Watanabe, former JOCV member Mr. Mitsugi Hosokawa,
and international cooperation reporter Ms. Haruka Ishihara. The five of them spoke about their
respective international cooperation activities and support activities in the areas affected by the
Great East Japan Earthquake. Together they considered international exchange activities and
disaster area support that can be offered by Hiroshima.
"I PRAY", performed by children hoping for peace
"I PRAY" is a musical performed by the children of Hiroshima hoping for a future with no war, using
the atomic bombing as the theme. The audience was greatly moved by the passionate
performances of the children.
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World Kitchen and Folk Art Bazaar
In Hiroshima International Village, the name
given to the area near Heiwa Odori Boulevard
south of International Conference Center
Hiroshima, various dishes from around the
world were sold at food stalls. The Folk Art
Bazaar, with its strong international flavor, was
also bustling with many visitors. Profits went
to various organizations' international
cooperation activities.
Activity Explanations
Civic organizations, universities and other
organizations set up booths to explain their
respective international exchange and
cooperation activities. Next to the venue was
a section for consultations on how to set up
an NPO and explanations of NGO activities.
Japanese Traditional Culture Sessions
Experiential sessions were held on kimono, tea
ceremony, ikebana and Yuzen-style dyeing. It
was an opportunity for non-Japanese visitors
to experience Japanese culture, and for
Japanese visitors to reacquaint themselves
with traditional culture.
Family Events
There were events for families including a quiz
rally where participants could win a present by
going around the various even venues and
answering questions, as well as games from
around the world and more.
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Food stalls
Games from around the world
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There were also various other events held, including an English debating session, a discussion
between young Japanese and non-Japanese participants, and events to support children overseas
by donating keyboard-harmonicas and coins from around the world.
Information:
Day of International Cooperation & Exchange 2012 will be held on November 18th (10:00 ～16:30)
at Hiroshima Kokusai Kaigijo, Peace Memorial Park & Heiwa Odori Boulevard vicinity.
Details>>>
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(International Relations and Cooperation Division)
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