The 40th MUA Anniversary Celebration

Date: April 20, 2022

Date: April 20, 2022
Venue: Minato City Life-long Learning Center

The Minato UNESCO Association observed the 40^th anniversary of its foundation in October 2021.  To commemorate the milestone, MUA held a celebration gathering in the evening of Wednesday, April 20 in Room 101 of Minato City Life-long Learning Center.

　The event was facilitated by Vice President Ms. Okumura and kicked off by President Nagano’s opening address, with a total of 26 attendees.  From among the invited guests, Mr. URATA Mikio, head of Minato City Board of Education, gave a congratulatory speech, “We appreciate MUA’s great contributions in promoting international exchanges, mutual understanding and people’s goodwill.”  All of us at MUA were very grateful for his thoughtful message.

Opening Address by President Nagano
In retrospect Minato UNESCO Association held its founding general meeting in October 1981 at the Shirokane Prince Geihinkan.  Last October it observed the 40^th anniversary of its foundation.  MUA’s development since the inception has been promoted by all its members under the leadership of the 1^st President (Dr. TANGE Kenzo), 2^nd President (Dr. MIWA Kimitada) and 3^rd President (Ms. TAKAI Mitsuko).  I’d like to extend my deepest appreciation to them all.  I am also thankful for Minato City’s consistent support to MUA, from its inception to the following years of expansion.  In this connection we are honored and pleased today to have Mr. URATA Mikio, head of Minato City Board of Education, as our invited guest.

　The origin of the UNESCO philosophy is said to have sprung from the proposal from leaders, including NITOBE Inazo who had played an active role as Deputy Secretary General in the League of Nations during the 1920’s.  Mr. MATSUMOTO Shigeharu, an influential founding member of MUA, was a close follower of Dr. Nitobe.  Therefore, the mission expressed in MUA’s foundation dates back to the very origin of UNESCO philosophy. 

　The grass-roots UNESCO activities in Japan was started by the Sendai UNESCO Association which was founded in 1947.  Mr. UEDA Koichi, an officer at the Tohoku Post-war Liaison Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributed greatly to the foundation of this Sendai association.  Later he became an Acting Director of MUA and contributed an essay, titled “Don’t forget your initial commitment,” to MUA’s 15^th anniversary commemorative booklet.  He proposed “Peace movement” and “Goodwill activities” should be the two pillars in MUA.

　Peace is an ideal proposed in the UNESCO Constitution.  In the complex modern society, current acute global issues such as climate change, global environment, bio-diversity, race, gender, and energy demand & supply are definitely challenging and threatening this ideal.  Facing this situation, MUA is operating based on three pillars; (1) Cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding, (2) Delivery of information on the activities of UNESCO as an international organ, and (3) Promotion of interaction with younger generations.  Russia’s invasion into Ukraine has enhanced the critical value of grass-roots UNESCO activities to a much higher level than before.  I wish for further successful growth of MUA’s activities during the forthcoming decades.

Presentation of Merit Awards to those with 30-year membership
As a part of the 40^th anniversary commemoration, MUA commended a total of 12 individuals (5 were absent) and a corporate member for their 30-year long membership.  President Nagano presented certificates of merit award to those individuals.

Report on the publication of the 40^th anniversary commemorative booklet
Ms. MIYASHITA Yukari, Vice President responsible for the publication, reported that the anniversary booklet was timely completed to mark MUA’s milestone.  Mr. TANAHASHI Seiichi, Auditor and editor-in-chief of the booklet, gave a speech on how he organized and produced the booklet into the final format, touching upon a few episodes experienced along the way.

　The commemorative booklet was distributed to all the attendees present.  For MUA members who were absent, and for those who contributed their articles to the booklet, a copy will be mailed out from MUA’s secretariat office.

Commendation for the publication of the 40^th anniversary commemorative booklet
A certificate of appreciation was awarded to Mr. TANAHASHI Seiichi for his comprehensive editorial efforts, and to Mr. YONEDA Yoshiaki for exerting his professional design & layout expertise, in the publication of the commemorative booklet. 

(Written by SHIMPUKU Shoji, Secretary General, and translated by TANAHASHI S., the PR & Internet Committee)