– Listening to Afghan traditional music – Due to the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, sad images of the country might be the first thing to come to mind. However, it used to be the meeting point of the ancient trade routes known as the Silk Road. At that time, there was a diversity of people and cultures interacting and they made music together while uniting. At this concert, you will experience some emotional melodies through a traditional stringed instrument rubab from this region and emotional music which holds nostalgia made by an old poet. Please enjoy their music while thinking about Afghanistan, called utopia, where the beautiful land spreads out…
Here we provide the information on selected events that are accessible for English-spoken people (talk events by onsite staff, screening of English or foreign films, photo exhibition, and so on). Please also visit our Japanese website, which contains many more information on other events. The knowledge of Japanese is required for the participation in those events.
Charity Concert “Dream of Arab”
– For the children of Iraq – Let’s Enjoy Arabic Music for Charity! JVC will help organize a charity concert to enjoy beautiful music with the Arabic musical instrument called “oud” meaning “Queen of Instruments.” Please experience the exotic world of Arabic culture, which is full of mystery and fascination. The concert proceeds are going to help support the activities of JVC in Iraq. Conflicts have been getting worse in Iraq because of differences in race and religion, which worst affect children. JVC regularly organizes workshops called “Peace Yard,” through which children can learn how to peacefully live together. Also, JVC workers can help treat their mental health problems. We…
ESSENCE OF “DIALOGUE”
Communication Through Nonviolence Training When languages differ communication is difficult, and the lack of communication leads to misunderstanding, tension and eventually create a sense of animosity. And people who are right beside us, seem so far. First thing we need to solve the daily tensions and misunderstandings is communication. To communicate with Japanese people without using Japanese try our nonviolence training session. Session Facilitator: Aree Jabari (Iraqi Peace building activist) Aree is the president of the INSAN Iraqi Society for Relief and Development. As part of the organization activities INSAN applies nonviolence approach in bringing together children from various religious and ethnic backgrounds. Those children in most cases do not…
NGOs in Japan and the Constitution
This panel and discussion event seeks to provide a casual space for English speakers to learn about and share thoughts on the Constitution of Japan, in particular Article 9 and the ruling party’s current efforts to revise it. The event will be held in English, and it seeks to provide an opportunity to find out more about one of the biggest political topics in Japan in recent history and its global stakes. The panel will feature NGO speakers sharing their experiences with the international roles of NGOs and community engagement in Japan, in relation to the Constitution. Then, the floor will be opened for attendees to discuss in a casual…
Messages from 4 Palestinians Out of 5.9 million
– Discovering the reality of the Palestinians, who make up the largest refugee group in the world, from their real voices – Photo Exhibition of Palestine (May 19 – June 6, 2018) Workshop and talk event (May 26): The Palestinian embroidery inherited by Palestinian refugees Palestinian refugees have not been able to go back to their own home for 70 years since the foundation of Israel in 1948. The number of refugees at first was around 0.7 million, but it has increased to approximately 5.9 million people through generations. Nowadays, Palestinian refugees make up the largest group of refugees in the world. Peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine have become…
Film Screening of “Zan”
About the film In Henoko, Okinawa, there lives the Dugong, an endangered species. Zan is a documentary that documents these creatures and the people yearning to protect them from the construction of a new U.S. military base. Through this film, we meet nature conservation groups, researchers, citizens who participate in protests, and local residents; we experience the sheer beauty of the natural environment in Henoko; we are made to consider the vital importance of living in peace with the sea that houses the Dugong. Title: Zan Director: Richard Grehan Released: 2017 Country: Japan Duration: 73 min Language: Japanese with English subtitles DATE AND TIME Thursday May 31 2018, 7pm-9pm PLACE…
International Festival CHIBA
At the Kanda University of International Studies in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, there will be an “International Festival CHIBA” event featuring organizations that engage in international exchange and international cooperation and JVC will also be having an exhibit there! At the festival, the participating organizations will be introducing their activities and selling goods including fair trade products. Since the festival is co-held with an event called “Makuchari ✕ Sorabito” featuring students at the Kanda University of International Studies, you can get to enjoy that event’s charity market too. JVC is planning to talk about our on-site activities around the world and to have various global items on sale. The craft goods…
Film screening “Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives”
About the film The serious health problems caused by genetically modified (GM) foods are now occurring in the US population. In this film, facts are clarified by the testimonies and scientific evidence from medical scientists, researchers involved in government’s food safety supervision, parents of children suffering from autism and allergies, veterinarians dealing with livestock health disorders and so on. Produced and directed by Jeffrey M. Smith, the internationally renowned expert on GM issues, this film questions the concerned genetically modified organisms (GMO) safety issue, initiates discussions, and contributes greatly to the non-GMO movement in the US. As a major GMO importer from the US, Japan is closely connected to this…
Activity Report & Charity Bazaar @ Cambodia for Supporting the Recovery of the Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake
JVC will participate in an event to support the recovery of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which will be held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It passed 7 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake happened on March 11th 2011. JVC will exhibit photo panels, which show the current status of the recovery of the disaster area. You are very welcome to the event. From the organizer: On 11th March, do you still remember that day ? 7 years ago, in North-East part of Japan, it was huge Earthquake and Tsunami disaster. It past 7 years already but reconstruct the town still difficult. At this moment, NGO [Japan…
Film screening “Waste cooking”
About the film David, a journalist who aims at rescuing foods, travels through five countries in Europe by a kitchen car, which runs on waste oil. He travels by cooking waste foods. We live in a consumption society, in which we waste tremendous amounts of foods everyday. According to the World Food Programme, we discard about one third of produced foods, which amounts 89 million ton in Europe or 1.3 billion ton in the world every year. David meets many people who tackle food problems in unique ways. He serves them dishes made from waste foods, through which he tries to change the awareness of people about food. Title: “Wastecooking”…