The World and Japan: Seen through the Experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake

To promote the global campaign to end poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, the Stand Up Take Action 2011 campaign is being launched around the world from 1 to 17 October 2011. In Tokyo, the United Nations Information Centre, in cooperation with the civil society network “Ugoku – Ugokasu (GCAP Japan)”, will co-host this event on Saturday, 15 October 2011 at the United Nations University Headquarters Building.

The two-part-programme will start at 13:30 with Part I which will be participatory in nature, starting with a live performance by Congolese musicians and all guests will be invited to “Stand-Up” and participate in a march through the Omotesando area, in expression of support of the “Stand Up Take Action” campaign.

For Part II, starting from 17:00, the following personalities have been invited to share their stories and insights: Ms. Gnanaselvam Vasanthakala from Sri Lanka, who was severely affected by the massive tsunami in 2004 but chose to stay in her hometown to devote herself to the reconstruction of the local community; Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitazawa, former national football player and JICA’s official supporter and Stand Up Campaign Supporter; Ms. Emi Ito, a picture book artist and founder of National Parents Network to Protect Children from Radiation; and Ms. Shoka Takahashi and Ms. Natsumi Yagi, both students of Iwate Kozukata High School. Ms. Junko Tanba, navigator of the radio programme J-Wave LOHAS SUNDAY will moderate the discussion.

Challenges faced in Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March are not unique to the Tohoku region or to Japan. To be able to rapidly respond to natural disasters worldwide, to establish a sustainable society, and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is important to share the extraordinary live experience and lessons learned in Tohoku with the international community. Let’s “Stand Up” for the recovery of the disaster-affected areas of Japan, as well as for the achievement of MDGs worldwide!

Title: Stand Up Take Action 2011@UNU Headquarters Building
The World and Japan: Seen through the Experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Time/Date:Saturday, 15 October 2011
Part I: 13:30 – 16:30 and Part II: 17:00-19:00
* Farmer’s Market will be open throughout the day.
Venue: United Nations University (UNU) Headquarters Building
http://unu.edu/administration/contact-us
Co-organized by: UNIC Tokyo, Ugoku – Ugokasu (GCAP Japan), Farmer’s Market Association
Fee: Free of charge
Registration: Pre-registration is required to participate in the Part II session. Please register at http://bit.ly/SUTA11main (in Japanese only)
Inquiry: UNIC Tokyo, Mr. Okano
Tel: 03-5467-4451 / E-mail: takashi.okano@unic.org

Programme

Part I (13:30 – 16:30)
– Music Performance (Mr. Charles Kaputu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
– Greetings from the co-organizers (UNIC Tokyo, Farmer’s Market Association, etc.)
– Stand Up event by all participants
– Marching through the Omotesando area

Part II (17:00 – 19:00)
Discussion: The World and Japan: Seen through the Experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Speakers: Ms. Emi Ito, Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitazawa, Ms. Gnanaselvam Vasanthakala,
Ms. Natsumi Yagi and Ms. Shoka Takahashi
Moderator: Ms. Junko Tanba

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