This event was held on November 24 last year. 69 citizen groups and companies engaged in international exchange and cooperation activities in Hiroshima City and its suburbs held a variety of events attracting approximately 2,000 visitors; themes included multiculturalism, intercultural understanding, the global environment, and experiencing Japanese culture. It was a day for both Japanese and non-Japanese participants to experience cultures from around the world.

Calligraphy performance by the Department of Calligraphy, Faculty of Letters, Yasuda Women's University

The opening ceremony featured a calligraphy performance by students of Yasuda Women's University's Department of Calligraphy, who dynamically wrote kanji characters that represent "connection". This was met with enthusiastic applause from the visitors.

Win Morisaki Talk: "Building a society that recognizes diversity and coexists in harmony"

The guest speaker was actor Win Morisaki. He talked with the panelists about his own experience of being born in Myanmar and spending time in Japan from the age of 10, the need for mutual understanding when working internationally, and the message he wanted to convey. It proved a good opportunity to think about diversity and multiculturalism with over 120 visitors.

A variety of events at the International Festival

14 groups set up booths to introduce their international exchange and cooperation activities at the Citizen's Group Activities corner.
　　Over at the World Culture Experience corner, a Chinese paper-cutting workshop and a Chinese-style kumi-himo (braided cord) handcrafting workshop were held, and at the Japanese Culture Experience corner, there was a opportunity to try wearing kimono, as well as participating in tea ceremony, ikebana, and calligraphy.
　　In addition, 13 groups sold a variety of foods from around the world at the Hiroshima International Village - Global Food Stalls on the Peace Boulevard greenbelt south of the International Conference Center. In addition, 9 organizations participated in the International Cooperation Bazaar, selling folk crafts and other items from various countries.

Presentation of youth international exchange activities

Four groups of young people from Hiroshima who held exchange activities with young people from overseas gave presentations on their experiences and their impressions of the activities (see the photo of the exchange activities on the front cover).
　　Those who visited Pearl Harbor National Memorial with hibakusha, as part of the sister park agreement between Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Pearl Harbor National Memorial, reported that they exchanged opinions with local young people and that there were many questions about the situation at the time of the atomic bombing and its aftereffects. They commented that they were impressed by the attitude of the young people who were actively trying to understand Hiroshima. In an exchange with a family member of a veteran who experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor, the family member said, "It's important to try to understand each other, not hate each other." Based on these experiences, the young people stressed the importance of reconciliation and having future-oriented exchanges about peace. They also expressed their determination to make use of what they have learned this time to continue exchange activities with the local people and to engage in activities to convey the reality of the atomic bombing.