Report of Regular Meeting February 2005
Yasuhiro Kuroiwa, Secretary
The regular meeting of February was begun in the appointed time at the Bachelor Hall. Following opening chime, Y's principles and Y's song, Mr. Matsuda, vice-president, read the Bible and prayed. The President, Mr. Yamamoto, introduced guests and visitors. Mr. Hiroshi Nagasawa did the 3rd attendance. Three youngsters attended. Reports: President about the establishment of Youth Club; Mr. and Ms. Uehara about the death of Mr. Kensuke Suzuki; EMC: signing up orientation of Mr. Nagasawa; BF-EF: commemoration EF for Mr. Kensuke Suzuki; CS-TOF: donations; IBC-DBC DBC association in the association meeting of Japan-East Region and Japan-West Region. Mr. Ogawa, President of Tokyo-Setagaya Club greeted.
After Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary, we elected the president and the vice-president of the next term. Ms. Okitsu, secretary in charge of the Tokyo YMCA, explained about the international cooperation activity of YMCA projecting a video. She requested to cooperate for the support of the steady international cooperation activity. Mr. Kazuo Sato introduced the today's speaker, Mr. Michinori Mano, secretary in charge of International Affairs Department of the National Christian Council in Japan. Mr. Mano made a speech entitled "Palestina and us". He shifted to the I.H.Q of the Y's Men's Clubs in Geneva for 3 years. He talked about his experience among its period and his present comment.
[Speech of Mr. Mano]
Palestina's poverty becomes terrible specifically recently. The population ratio of the poor layer is higher than India and Bangladesh. There is a problem in the poor quality. Palestinian lives in the place which doesn't suit the residence of the human being. Moreover, prices are high. The self-government territory of Palestina is the west coast area on the Jordan river and Gaza area. The countless settle places of Israel cut off Palestinian in it. Therefore, they can not go and come freely in it. There is a checkpoint in the main places. When the first intifadah originated in 1987, the Westerners recognized this difficult state at the first time. This problem began to be treated with the viewpoint of the infringement of the human rights. However, yet, a lot of people in the world don't recognize it. In spite of the Oslo arrangement in 1993, actually, the settle places don't decrease. The number of the immigrants increased more. The second intifadah originated in September, 2000. Moreover, the separation wall began to be made since 2002. The resident area of Palestinian had been surrounded. They need pass a lot of checkpoints to live. However, they can not pass it easily. Going-out prohibition, too, is frequently announced. The International Christian Council is handling a Palestina problem. We experience the scene of the checkpoint, etc. We send the state to the world. However, the general people don't recognize this seriousness. The regional identity of Palestinian is an Asian. Even in the YMCA and the Christendom, anyone denies that Palestina is in Asia. There is a viewpoint to assume that Israel is the last colony of Europe. We emphasize only one side of tribal opposition and religious opposition. However, Palestinian are deprived of the right of the basic life in the historic and political interest and opposition. The international community must recognize this reality more. The Christendom of Japan collected the situation which is opposite to the war after the war. I have a hope that we can do a unique remark to solve this problem.
After the speech, the election result of the president and the vice-president of next term was released. Mr. Matsuda and Mr. Chino were elected. They expressed their determination. Last, the smile fine. The chairman of CS Committee appealed again. We sang the song of YMCA. We closed the meeting.