International Symposium "North Africa and Japan in the 21st Century: Creating a Society of Peace and Coexistence through International Cultural Exchange"
The Japan Foundation and the Institute for Disarmament and Peace Studies at Meiji University will co-host International Symposium "North Africa and Japan in the 21st Century: Creating a Society of Peace and Coexistence through International Cultural Exchange". At the symposium, Japanese and North African key figures will discuss the possible role of cultural and intellectual exchange.
In recent years, political climate in Arab world including North Africa has drastically changed and has impacted on the society on so many levels. The information we receive from the news coverage in Japan is mainly about the issues on politics and economy. North Africa is a promising place for Japanese enterprise to advance its business, however every time when foreign people are targeted by the terrorist attack, we cannot dismiss the possibility of misunderstanding of the region and hampering the deepening of the mutual understanding. Therefore, it is important for us to hear directly from the people what the ordinary citizens are feeling and how they see Japan. At the Symposium, the panelists will provide their opinions on the possible role of cultural and grassroots exchange in order to realize multidimensional mutual understanding and empathy between two regions.
| Date | Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Time: 15:00-19:00 (Door Open: 14:45) |
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| Venue | Liberty Hall, Meiji University (Liberty Tower of Meiji University, 1-1 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo) Directions: 5 min. walk from Ochanomizu station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line), Shin Ochanomizu station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line), Jimbocho station (Toei Mita Line) |
| Language | Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation available) |
| Organizer | The Japan Foundation, The Institute for Disarmament and Peace Studies at Meiji University |
| Supporter | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |
| Panelists | ＜Keynote Speaker/Panelist＞ Makoto Katsumata (Professor, Dept. of International Studies, Meiji Gakuin University, Director, International Peace Research Institute, Meiji Gakuin University) ＜Moderators＞ Kunio Fukuda (Professor, The School of Commerce, Meiji University, Director, The Institute for Disarmament and Peace Studies at Meiji University ) Keiko Takaki (Professor College of Liberal Arts, J. F. Oberlin University ) ＜Panelists＞ Mohamed Ait Lachguer (Editor Principal in Chief, National Society of Radio and Television (SNRT), Morocco) Abdulbaset Mohamed Ben Geth (International News Reporter, International News Dept., Libya's State News Agency "LANA", Libya) Tarek Ben Bechir Chehidi (Coordinator, African Development Bank (AFDB), Tunisia) Ahmed Mustafa Hafez (Charged' affairs, League of Arab States Mission in Beijing) Noura Kort (Radio Host and Coordinator, Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale, National Radio, Tunisia) Smail Debeche (Professor, The University of Algiers III, Algeria) Hiroshi Fuse (Journalist, Member of Editorial Board, Mainichi Newspapers, Editor in Chief , quarterly journal "Arab") Yuichi Kasuya (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University) |
| Program Schedule |
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| Registration | Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Please send the name, affiliation, and contact details in the text with "North Africa International Symposium" in the subject line to north_africa_symposium＠hotmail.com by Monday, November 18, 2013. * When sending an e-mail message, please enter a half-width character "@" instead of a full-width character "＠." * (The above contact is an email address for the office in Meiji University. The personal information will not be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was collected.) |
Panelists
Mohamed AIT Lachguer
(Journalist, Principal Editor in Chief, SNRT Public Television (National Society of Radio and Television)), MoroccoMr. Mohamed Ait Lachguer has remarkable skills in the field of mass media. He has been the head of special programs and the editor in chief for Central Information Department at SNRT. He has produced numerous documentary programs including award-winning productions. Since December 2008, he has taken his place among the various committees including the Steering Committee (and the General Secretariat of the Committee) of the National Action Plan for Democracy, Human Rights (PANDDH) , Euro-Med project news in SNRT since January 2009, and the ASBU (The Arab States Broadcasting Union) Tunis as a Jury President for Recruitment.
Abdulbaset Mohamed Ben Geth
(Journalist, International News Reporter, International News Dept., Libya's State News Agency "LANA"), LibyaMr. Abdulbaset Mohamed Ben Geth has covered a broad range of international news in Libya where previous tight restrictions on freedom of the press and of speech were removed. LANA is also called by its Arabic acronym WAL, started in Benghazi during the 2011 revolution, and eventually becoming an official news agency in August 2011. The news agency has reporters across the country and produces news reports and distributes government and official statements. The media situation in Libya is changing and various newspapers are published nowadays.
Tarek Ben Bechir Chehidi
(ICT Integration in Education and Training Coordinator, ADEA Secretariat, African Development Bank), TunisiaDr. Tarek Ben Bechir Chehidi received his Ph.D. from Sophia University, Japan. With his extensive knowledge of Japanese society and culture, he is actively contributing to educational and cultural exchange between Japan and Tunisia. He is also a successful business person and introduces educational methods of Japan such as Soroban (abacus) to the several elementary schools that he founded in Tunisia. He has presented Japanese culture in Tunisia through various occasions such as Noh performance (classical Japanese musical drama) and the exhibition of Japanese arts in order to strengthen the bond between two countries.
Ahmed Mustafa Hafez
(Charged' affairs, League of Arab States Mission in Beijing)Originally from Egypt. Member of the League of Arab States team to organize and prepare the summit and ministerial level meetings since 1993. Stationed in Beijing since 2008.
Noura Kort
(Radio Host and Coordinator, Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale (RTCI)), TunisiaMs. Noura Kort is a radio host, coordinator and an actress in radio serial at Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale in addition to doing French voice over. She also has a career background in the field of education especially in language based on her multiple language skills. Ms. Kort is familiar with Asian martial arts, such as aikido, kendo, tai chi and yoga.
Smail Debeche
(Professor, University of Algiers III), AlgeriaProf. Dr. Smail Debeche is a chair professor in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Algiers III. He received M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Sciences and International Relations from the University of York in United Kingdom. He is currently responsible for Asian Studies including Japan, China, India and ASEAN at the Faculty of Political Science and Information at the University of Algiers III. He has given speeches on Asia in national and international seminars.. He has been contributing to the various international exchange activities in addition to various publications.
[Contact Us]
The Japan Foundation
Europe, Middle East and Africa Section, Japanese Studies and Global Partnerships Programs Dept.
Person in Charge: Sone
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6071 Fax: +81-(0)3-5369-6041
E-mail: Eiichi_Sone＠jpf.go.jp
(When sending e-mail, please enter a half-width character "@" instead of a full-width character "＠.")
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