The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals intended to make a positive change in the world by 2030.

With the aim of encouraging more people to take ownership of the SDGs and initiate action, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Tokyo will be cooperating on a special event that will be held at the 9^th Okinawa International Movie Festival: Laugh & Peace (20-23 April 2017 at various venues in Okinawa), organized by the entertainment agency Yoshimoto Kogyo, in order to provide visitors with an opportunity to know, understand, and experience the SDGs.

The event will feature: the production and preview of a short promotional video on the SDGs to be narrated by 18 comedians affiliated with Yoshimoto Kogyo, including Hiroyuki Miyasako (Ameagari Kesshitai), Kendo Kobayashi, Naoki Matayoshi (Peace) and Naomi Watanabe; a collaborative exhibition of prize-winning works from the student photo contest “My View on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” and SDGs-inspired photos taken by “Sumimasu Asia Geinin,” Japanese comedians dispatched to different regions in Asia; a “comedian stamp rally” representing the 17 SDG goals; and a whole lot more!

Please click here for further details of the event.

Ms. Kaoru Nemoto, Director of UNIC Tokyo, commented: “As the SDGs are not so well known in Japan, this event is intended to be a fun way for the general public to learn about them. I believe in the power of laughter and entertainment to break the ice and open the minds of people. I would like to thank everyone at Yoshimoto Kogyo and those who were involved in the Okinawa International Movie Festival for this unique opportunity for collaboration.”

Mr. Hiroshi Osaki, President & CEO of Yoshimoto Kogyo, also expressed his ambition: “I believe that the purpose of every profession is to make the people we love happy. In other words, we all work for the well-being of people in Japan and across the world. As the saying goes, ‘laughter brings forgiveness, and forgiveness brings laughter.’ When there is laughter, we can muster the strength to bring happiness to others. By being involved in an activity to promote the SDGs, we wish to help inspire and create hope for the future with what little we can do as comedians and entertainers. We are committed to advancing the efforts toward actualising a global society filled with laughter.

Every global citizen is encouraged to understand the SDGs and think about what they can do in their daily lives, taking the first steps toward a brighter future.

Indeed, this special event in Okinawa is the culmination of lectures on SDGs co-organized by UNIC Tokyo and other agencies held in January for the staff of the Yoshimoto Kogyo Group and other comedians and entertainers, which motivated the staff to take initiative.

UNIC Tokyo sincerely hopes that this collaborative event in Okinawa will mark the start of a long-lasting partnership.

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