Day for International Exchange and Cooperation 2011 (Kokusai Kouryu & Kyoryoku no Hi) at Peace Memorial Park

With the motto "Step in to the world together!," this year's International Day completed normally yesterday. Various NGOs, NPOs, Groups, universities and schools involved in international activities in Hiroshima gathered at the peace-memorial park's international convention center. People from Japan and various countries enjoyed several interesting programs, such as Earth Stage, speech contest, presentation of overseas volunteering experience,  ikebana, outdoor events, discussions, bazar and food etc. It was an opportunity to experience different culture, different views, different values for living and enjoying helpful life and contribute something for the world.

Nepal-Japan Nature and Peace Foundation (NJNPF) had opened a booth to let visitors talk, see and buy handmade natural goods from Nepal. There were 3 Nepal related groups (including NJNPF) who introduced Nepal to the visitors. May be it was the largest number of groups gathered in a single event on a single day in Hiroshima. Usually there are one or two groups related to a single country.

People who had been to Nepal as JICA worker, as other volunteer or as part of personal interest came and shared their experiences. It was nice to meet them and talk with their warm memories of Nepal. There were many young people who became very curious and interested in Nepal by talking, testing and knowing Nepal.

I participated a discussion program from 13:00 to 15:00PM. The discussion was focused to improve the relationship among Japanese people, governnment and non-government bodies and foreigners living in Hiroshima. There are many issues and difficulties to make people in Hiroshima understand the true meaning of sharing cross-cultural values and internationalization. The discussion group continues to share and generate interest among the international minded people. An event like this plays a very important role in this direction.

Thank you very much for visiting us at the booth.  We are greatful to your interest, time & contribution for Nepal. We will keep our activities to let you experience Nepal whenever is possible.
And special thanks to the volunteers who made the booth alive and active.

Peace-a-Love 2011 in Rain

Everybody wished for a clear sky, if not, at least cloudy without rain. But it did not happen as wished. It rained for both days, 29th and 30th.

Eventhough it rained, people interested to enjoy Hiroshima's international mood and food came to the event ground with raincoat, umbrella and even with rain boots. They surely enjoyed the mood & food but not the ground which was muddy.

Our booth was like this.

And it looked like this around our booth.

 

In the morning of 30th, at 10:00AM, the mayer of Hiroshima appeared on the stage and declared open the festival. Then the stage went vibrant with different dances, performances, and songs. The stage continued until 15:40 just before closing the festival.

Different people visited us at the booth. Some didn't know where Nepal is, some had been and lived in Nepal for some time, some wanted to go to Nepal, some wanted to know the meaning of the present they bought in Nepal, some just wanted to talk, some were already drunk from Hiroshima Food Festival (another festival organized side-by-side towards the Hiroshima castle) and so on. Different people came and showed interest in Nepal or the products we displayed. Slowly we hope to introduce Nepal and the importance of living in simple & natural way to the people of Hiroshima.

Big thanks to the voluntters who helped to run the booth. Their contribution was great to smoothly run the booth. Nepal-Japan Nature & Peace Foundation highly appreciates their contribution.

And thanks alot to the people who stopped by our booth and contributed to our support activities.

See you all again next year. Let's hope the weather will favour us next time.