Creating an Environment for the Future Generations

Written by Alla Chako

From September 3 to 11, twelve representatives of WFWP Japan visited Belarus. The Japanese delegation was headed by the President of WFWP Japan, Mrs. Moriko Hori. Six youth volunteer members from Japan came to Belarus on the delegation to inherit the foundation that had been created by elder volunteer members of WFWP Japan who had been coming to Belarus with charity mission for more than 25 years. 

On Thursday, September 5, Japanese women were welcomed in Vitebsk city. Together with Belarusian representatives of WFWP, students of the Vitebsk State University, delegation from Russia headed by president of WFWP Eurasia Mrs. Olga Vakulinskaya and three VIP they participated in Service for Peace and Culture Exchange Programs that were organized by Zoya Krot (Belarusian Ambassador for Peace).

Japanese youth volunteer members helped to plant nice trees and bushes in front of the Territorial Center of Social Services. Members of the center prepared a heartful and colorful performance for guests. The program continued inside of the center where Japanese guests gave a sushi cooking master class and Belarusian women presented a traditional tea party. The atmosphere was very warm and joyful as all of the women sang songs together.

On September 6, the Global Women’s Peace Network conference was organized by the Vitebsk regional branch of Belarusian Peace Fund and WFWP Japan with support of the Belarusian representatives of WFWP. The title of the conference was “Women’s role in building a culture of peace. Empowering women and creating an environment of peace for the future generations”.

The guests of the conference listened to speeches and welcoming addresses of the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Branch of the Belarusian Peace Fund Tatiana Tumanova, of the member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Tatiana Starinskaya, of the head of WFWP Eurasia Olga Vakulinskaya, of the Head of the Muslim Women Union of Russia Nailya Ziganshina, the President of WFWP Japan Moriko Hori and of one of Japanese youth members.

The participants of the conference also enjoyed watching and listening to traditional Belarusian and Japanese songs and dances. In the end of the event a sisterhood ceremony between Belarusian and Japanese students took place. It was a very bright and touching part of the evening.

The same day in the morning a lecture on the topic "Love and sexuality in the era of AIDS" was given by Mrs. Vakulinskaya  to 30 students of the Vitebsk State University.

Here are some reflections from the event: 

“Nowadays this topic is very important. I absolutely agree with all information I've heard today. I wish in the future this lecture can be done more often and not only in universities. I liked the trustful atmosphere of the lecture and all information I had received there. I want to become the member of such organization and to take part in these programs”.

“For me this topic is very important, because I have a tremulous attitude to family, children and my love. I do not want to create empty relationship that does not make sense, and even more so, doesn’t base on traditions and values. I want to have a mutual love in my relationship. I wish to all people happiness and ability to keep love till the end”.

“This topic is very important. I realized that it is very important to respect yourself and to create a harmony inside of yourself in order to feel happiness. I liked the positivity of the lecturer. This world can be kind when each of us creates a kindness inside of himself or herself and treats the world in a kind way”.

On September 10, in the Republican Center of National Cultures (RCNC) in Minsk City, a Japanese cultural night was organized for the second year in a row. More than 170 people visited the event.  

The program of the event included a presentation about Japan, tea ceremony, traditional Japanese dance and several songs and the art of calligraphy and origami. Some guests tried on yukata (traditional Japanese clothes), some played traditional Japanese toys on the stage and received presents. The Belarusian representatives of WFWP received so many thanks from the guests of the evening!

 The same day before the cultural night a sisterhood ceremony was held between the President of WFWP Japan Mrs. Hori and the Director of the RCNC Mrs. Olga Antonenko.The program of the Japanese delegation visit to Belarus was very busy. Japanese youth members were able to see the great foundation that had being created for decades by senior volunteer members of WFWP Japan with the constant assistance of representatives of the Belarusian Women's Federation. We hope that in the coming years some of them will return to Belarus with their own projects.