The NARPI Summer Training in Hiroshima is well underway! On Sunday, 42 participants, facilitators, and staff gathered at Aster Plaza Hotel for the NARPI Summer Training opening ceremony. The ceremony opened with a beautiful performance by professional singer, Haruki Tamura.
The song, Let Us Hold the Sun in Our Hands, was performed in both Japanese and English and spoke of hope and courage - a very appropriate and powerful beginning for NARPI. The ceremony continued with introductions of all participants and brief addresses from Director Jae Young Lee and World Friendship Center Chairperson Michiko Yamane.
Then classes began! Participants met with their facilitators for the first time, and began honing their peacebuilding skills. In Critical Understandings of Conflict and Peace Issues, participants were introduced to the definition and contextual interpretations of conflict & peace. Focusing on enhancing thier understandings of conflict & peace issues in the local and regional context, participants dived into dialogues and discussions with others from different regions and backgrounds. This week, participants will explore possibilities for creative and collaborative ways of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, through discussion, creative exercises, and case studies.
That night, we all took a walk together to visit NARPI's partner in peacebuilding, the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima and here from directors, Larry and Joann Simms. Though it was a bit of a tight fit, we all squeezed in to hear about World Friendship Center's history, mission, and continuing peacework. On the walk there and back, we all spent time getting to know one another outside of class.
 |
| Guest Haruki Tamura wowing NARPI during the opening ceremony |
The song, Let Us Hold the Sun in Our Hands, was performed in both Japanese and English and spoke of hope and courage - a very appropriate and powerful beginning for NARPI. The ceremony continued with introductions of all participants and brief addresses from Director Jae Young Lee and World Friendship Center Chairperson Michiko Yamane.
 |
| Ryu Hanjoo during first Conflict and Peace Issues class. |
 |
NARPI in the World Friendship Center.
For more information about WFC and their history,
please visit their website at www.wfchiroshima.net
|
That night, we all took a walk together to visit NARPI's partner in peacebuilding, the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima and here from directors, Larry and Joann Simms. Though it was a bit of a tight fit, we all squeezed in to hear about World Friendship Center's history, mission, and continuing peacework. On the walk there and back, we all spent time getting to know one another outside of class.
Finally we all returned home to rest and ready ourselves for the next day of NARPI - after all, this was just the beginning of the training and all of the fun and peacework of NARPI. More exciting things are still to come, so check back regularly for updates on our training here in Hiroshima! As always, if you have events, posts, photos, or videos you would like to share, please send them to admin@narpi.net. Submissions are always welcome!
No comments:
Post a Comment