FSUN NEWS, May & June 2000

 


FSUN Senior Advisor, Watanabe met the Chinese Ambassador of Japan, Chen Chien

  

FSUN Senior Advisor, Watanabe visited the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on April 28 and met the Chinese Ambassador of Japan, Chen Chien and explained the principle of FSUN and its activities in China.

Watanabe illustrated Cambodian Support by FSUN implemented, based on the United Nations Charter where it has donated four thousand artificial legs which were manufactured in Hsian, China, and emphasized that FSUN has worked to help people in countries to be independent, where they always comply with the laws and rules.

Chien complimented Mr. Watanabe for being respected as an old friend of China. Chien used to be a Chinese Ambassador for the UN and has been aware of the importance of the UN operations.

Preventive Measures against Natural Disaster

He also commended that FSUN has supported successfully the UN in which the requirement of NGO has been increased over the past decade.

The Ambassador also stated that as natural disasters have attacked China frequently these days, Japan and China should exchange information on preventive measures against such natural disaster.

Referring to the Korean peninsula, where there has been a significant movement, he mentioned that his expectations of FSUN that it will be given a more and more important role if the North and South Korean diplomatic approaches will be realized.

Talking about the Women's Conference held in China in 1995, Chien stated that NGO members had been so vigorous, that he had a hard time to hammer out their opinions, and Watanabe said, "That conference meant a lot for Chinese women."

Compliance of Laws

Referring to the Chinese Branch of FSUN, Watanabe stated the fundamental ideas of the foundation of the FSUN: 1. the operation of FSUN is to contribute to the people in China, which is based on the principle of NGO, 2. it will comply with the international laws 3. it will implement humanitarian operations based on the United Nations Chapter, "We are the People."

"The fundamental idea of FSUN is agreeable. When visiting China, I would like to recommend that you meet the former Vice Secretary-General." Said the Ambassador; "The Chinese Embassy would like to keep in touch with FSUN especially on the issue of disaster prevention measures."

Watanabe said, "Genuine rapport among Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula could lead to a true real peace in the Asian Area. FSUN will make the utmost effort in whatever way we can, on behalf of ordinary people, as the UN Chapter says, "We are the People."

 

 


Assistant Professor of Chinghua University Visited FSUN

Japanese Students to the University in China

 

May 10, 2000, some delegates from Chinghua University, including an assistant professor and a financial director there, visited the FSUN office.

Referring to the establishment of the FSUN office in Chinghua University, said the assistant professor; "This is one of the conspicuous achievements in Japan-China cultural exchange. We hope this project will be successful."

In addition to language courses, adult courses were newly set up where Chinese medicine, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, using a method enhancing effect on immunity. This includes Chinese herbal medicine, which will benefit the aging society of Japan.

 

 


"Your Goodwill Save Asia";
Charity Party by the Nishihari Branch in Himeji

 

June 3,2000 at a hotel in Himeji, a Charity Party was held, "Your Goodwill Save Asia." This wan also a briefing session of the medical team to Cambodia, supported by Kobe University that the Nishihari Branch sent last year. After the session, more than 200, nicely dressed people enjoyed to dance to the music, performed by a music band.

The party started with a complimentary speech by Makoto Ishikawa, the branch manager, followed by a briefing session by Ishikawa Dean, for the Public Department of Kobe University. In this session, he illustrated Cambodian medical conditions using pictures on a screen, putting the stress on the necessity of medical support by NPO.

The secretary of the branch, Mr. Shimizu, said in the report for the activity plan of 2000, that it will send volunteer students to Cambodia, by which the students could earn credits, with the cooperation of Kobe University. There are many students who want to apply.

Contribute to others

After a complimentary speech, by the Chief of Staff of the Public Affaires Office of Himeji-City, Mr. Maeda, on behalf of the Mayor, Mr. Watanabe, the Senior Advisor of FSUN, said, "Human being's true ethic in the 21st century is to promote the well being of others."

 

 

 


What is FSUN?

 

When we are asked, "What is FSUN?" how do you answer it? "Outline of FSUN" was written by Michiko Watanabe, Director of the Board, in the bulletin "One Percent Club News" by "Local Community Group with Company and People" as shown below;

Beyond-states, Beyond-ethnic groups, non-religion and non-politics

FSUN is a group for unique creative people. All the members including the Chairman, are unpaid workers except 2 clerks in the offices. It was established in 1988 in New York and was granted exemption from taxation by the US government and the New York State. In Japan also it is granted exemption from taxation as an international fund. Most of 120 members are Japanese but the remainders are from 15 countries because our operations are implemented beyond states, ethnic groups, religion and political parties. In 1996 it was granted the Category one by the International Economic and Social Council.

Principle and Performance

It is a volunteer group to seek for world peace and friendship, exchange of people in the world and living together based on the United Nations Chapter. There are many activities and operations we have done; in Cambodia twelve elementary and middle schools were built, and 4000 artificial legs were provided for the people who had lost their legs caused by mines. Education and exchange programs for youth such as the simulated UN General Assembly and the Study Tour to the UN are some of our major programs. The World Congressmen/women's Conference was to pursue the solution to the issues beyond each state interest.

Unique Branch Activities

Each branch of FSUN has a tight nit network of people of local areas through activities: in Tokushima there is an English study class as well as artistic activity such as an opera concert, in Tokyo Arc a charity golf competition as well as building schools.

In Kashiwa, we have supported plays performed by local artists and teachers and promoted the local school system.In Tomakomai we held a music festival for youth joined by local high school students. In Nishihari, we accepted intern nurses from Cambodia with the cooperation of the local doctors association.

Independence, self-esteem, and power

We put the base of our volunteer activities on the fundamental idea to help recipients to be independent, to have self-esteem and to make themselves strong. We think it valuable that the people have desire to be independent and make friends. These things make the money and our efforts useful.

Aiming at the Powerful UN

FSUN purchased a building right front of the Headquarter of the UN headquarter building as the base of activities. The view from the room in the 12th floor is splendid and has been used for conferences.

We are now preparing for the fourth World Congressmen/women Conference where we are aiming at enhancing the UN power and at realizing no-war-world in the 21st century.

 

 

 


Nagareyama Branch Inauguration and "Millennium Environment Fiesta"

 

An inaugural and officially acknowledgement ceremony of the Nagareyama Branch, of which nick name is "Love and Peace, was held at Nagareyama-City at 1:30pm, on May 14. This ceremony served also as a gathering titled "Millennium Environment Fiesta" for some grass root activists such as "Members to Protect the Local Environment," "Sending Schools to Cambodia," "Parents in Nagareyama" and "Victims of A-bomb in Chiba," Those group are aiming at the protection of environment, welfare and peace.

After a complimentary speech by the Mayor of Nagareyama-City, Mieko Okada made a lecture titled "Endocrine Disruptors and Food." Giving instances that environment pollution harms human health, she cited concrete measures against each of them.

The second part of the event was entertainment; Yuko Asada's song to piano performed by Junko Iida, sign language chorus by "kids' Club" from elementary schools of Nagareyama-City. There were also some interesting exhibitions attracted people; "No More A-bomb" and "Harmless Detergent." Some board members talked future plans of the branch after the two hours event.

Nagareyama Branch, "Love & Peace" Inauguration
Chorus, Lectures and Bazaars

Exhibitions proved their industrious efforts

Kids' chorus with sign language (above) 

 

song by Yuko Asada

 

Members of the branch

 

 

 

  


Governor and His Staffs from Mongolia Visited Kagoshima

Talked about Sending Students to Study Animal Husbandry

 

May 27, 2000 Mongolian Governor and his staffs invited by FSUN visited Governor's and Mayor's offices in Kagoshima-Pref. (photo: below)

Among persons who met them were the Governor of Kagoshima-Pref., the Mayor of Kagoshima-City and the South Kyushu Branch Manager of FSUN.


The Governor from Mongolia said, "Animal husbandry is one of our major industries like your city. With increase in population due to industrial development in Mongolia, industrial conversion has been urged from conventional animal husbandry to intensive ones. Advanced animal husbandry managing system should be introduced to our system.

Said the governor who is also the vice president of the Mongolian Judo Association, "The relationship between Japan and Mongolia used to be the government-to-government but in the future it should be the one between persons-to-persons, especially for young people." The Governor also met governors in the towns in Kagoshima-Pref.

FSUN will accept students from Mongolia majoring in public administration, nursing, and welfare as well as animal husbandry and farming as this project turned out to be helped by the local governments, the Agricultural Association, and welfare organizations in Kagoshima and the FSUN's South Kyushu Branch. The students from Cambodia and Philippine will be accepted as well.

 

 

 


"Poverty, Family and Human's Right" was an Agenda in "the UN's Special General Assembly /World Women's Conference"

 

On June 5, 2000 was held "the UN's Special General Assembly /the World Women's Conference," joined by 188 governments, after 5 years from Women's Conference in Beijing. Active role of NGO members has been in common in any world conference in these days and under the slogan of "Meet World Women in NY" Japanese women in NGO members, who had achieved various tasks, get together in New York.

Especially in the FSUN office from June 3 to 10 was held "Japan Global Forum" (planned and sponsored by Japan Global Forum, Woman and Media Center, and the HKW executive committee, and supported by Osaka-City and FSUN).

Keynote speakers were Leticia Shahani-Ramos, Philippine congresswoman, Dr. Saisuree Chutikul, Thai congresswomen and Virginia Hazzard, the Planning Director in the US.

Speech by Seiko Watanabe, director of the Board of FSUN

FSUN has been granted to attend the session of the General Assembly as an international NGO. Three members from FSUN including Seiko Watanabe, the director of the board, joined the session. She gave a speech in a forum organized by the Population Foundation, which was televised in Japan.

 

 


"What's Petroleum Civilization Brought Us?"

Column by FSUN's director of the Board, Toshio Hagiwara

 

In these days among historians who study the 20th century history the many say that the 20th century has been petroleum civilization century.

While petroleum has brought enormous prosperity to human beings, rapid increase of carbon dioxide caused by consumption of petroleum has resulted in global warming. Moreover there have been produced approx. 120 thousand kinds of petrochemical products such as agricultural chemicals, plastics, medicines, cosmetics, food additives, only about 3% of which safety has been ensured. The remainder has never been checked whether or not harmful effect to human body and environment.

Some scientists believe that such petrochemicals could cause some physical and mental disorder including cancer, malformation of bodies, endocrine disruption, and nervous breakdown. The products could also contribute to increasing brutal crimes occurring frequently these days.

As the Chapter in World Health Organization (WHO) says "Health is defined not just as the condition without illness and disorder but as the physically, mentally and socially integral condition, health of the people largely depend on the social circumstances the people live.

Now we all have to think whether we put a reckless belief in science and persuade economical effectiveness and conveniences only to ruin our earth, or we establish new civilization where the concept of ecology is emphasized on.

 

 

 


"The Circumstances to Develop NPO"

Speech by Ichiro Watanabe, the Senior Advisor

 

FSUN's Senior Advisor Ichiro Watanabe gave a speech on May 21, 2000 in Tokyo, before Tokyo University Graduates of 1956. Among the graduates, many had played an important role in the world as leaders of companies. He talked about his 12-year activities for FSUN with a spice of humor. He also pointed out some systematic defects of Japanese society that harm NPO's development. After the speech, during questions and answers, some proposal on future role of Japan's political and economical standpoint were made.

Lastly he introduced "Campaign on Old-Young Live Together" originated by FSUN's Kyushu Branch and said, "Senior citizens' experience, capability, wisdom, and knowledge, will continue to be required in Japanese society. We have to keep being responsible for the Japanese society of the 21st century. (Photo: left)

Editor's Comments