Report

8th Ambassador of Peace Network (APN) Report

日時：2015年04月19日（日）

The 8^th Ambassadors of Peace Network was successfully completed with 220 participants from 19 different countries and regions. These included EIC past participants, their family members, past Camp Leaders, Camp Staff, and Guests who gathered at the Kumon Hall in Shin Osaka on Sunday, 19^th April 2015, under the theme “Challenge to many things.”

The 8^th APN was another wonderful and memorable event as not only children were involved in many roles and activities but some parents also challenged themselves and made presentations in English. Some of the roles that the children were involved in were: the planning committee, reception, MC and dancing among many other activities. Furthermore, once again at this year’s APN we welcomed past participants from the EIC café who acted as the main planning committee. They developed the APN program contents and also took roles in running the whole program.

Everybody was excited to see their old friends and Camp Leaders and, at the same time, make new friends. This annual event aims at strengthening the EIC family spirit; as participants motivate and encourage each other to achieve their dreams and goals, and to work hard on meeting new challenges through different activities.

This year’s APN focused on bringing back EIC memories while strengthening the EIC family network. It focused on sharing information about current activities that EIC participants are involved in and, at the same time, helping, supporting and motivating each and every individual to work towards their dreams and goals. This year’s gathering also aimed at getting participants to be more aware, to think and to take action individually, or together as one EIC family, aimed at making this world a better place for everyone.

Highlights

1. Individual Presentations and Information Sharing

A total of nine participants, including two parents and two Camp Leaders, challenged themselves by confidently presenting their dreams, goals and achievements in front of everyone in English. This year’s APN presentation themes were “My Dream,” “My Challenge” and “My life after EIC.” This inspired and encouraged fellow participants to try their best to strive to achieve their dreams and goals.

Past participants presenting about their dreams and goals

2. 2^nd Overseas Study Tour to Indonesia: “Take Action”

From December 23^rd through December 29^th, 2014 a group of 41 participants (including 25 past EIC participants, 6 parents, 8 Camp Leaders, “Dreamy Grandpa” (Prof. Chiba Akihiro)) and four Kumon staff embarked on a study tour to Yogyakarta (Java Island, Indonesia). This was the second time such a tour was organized for past EIC participants. This time the study tour aimed at giving the participants a chance to experience Indonesian culture and also to go see the actual realities of the world and to think about what they could do to improve it.

2nd Overseas Study Tour Completion Report

3. 4^th Tohoku Trip Presentation

From March 29^th through April 1^st, 2015 a group of 31 participants (including 19 past EIC participants, eight Camp Leaders, “Dreamy Grandpa” (Prof. Chiba Akihiro), and three Kumon staff) visited Kesennuma City, Oshima and the Yuriage district in the Tohoku area, which were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, to see the present situation and also to take action. During this year’s APN, the members from the Tohoku area took time to share with everyone their experiences and what they had learned. They also suggested what we can do to contribute to the recovery of the Tohoku area.

Tohoku Trip Report Completion Report

4. EIC “Well Done Points” Result

The “Well Done Point” system was implemented in EIC 2013. The main aim of the “Well Done Point” system is to encourage children to contribute to making the world a better place for everyone. As the result of the tireless efforts of the children and the support from the Camp Leaders and camp staff, together with the generosity of the Hotel Biwako Plaza owner and staff, the money that was generated from the well done points system was donated to a rural village in Kandy, Sri Lanka to provide clean drinking water for the people.

Children get well done points in the Camp

5. “If the world were a village of a 100 people”

At this year’s APN the activities were aimed not only at raising awareness among participants about the realities of the world. In addition, it also encouraged them to think and share their feelings about what they can do to take action against reducing some of the world problems such as poverty and illiteracy. At the end of the a ctivity the MCs encouraged everyone to continue to do research even after APN about these world problems.

Comments from participants:

“I had a good time communicating with many people. I enjoyed dancing.” (Elementary school student)
“I learned many things about the world. I could think about what we can do.”(Junior high school student)
“I’ve never been abroad or to the Tohoku area. So I couldn’t imagine how people are suffering. I listened to them and could understand their feelings.”(Junior high school student)
“I could understand and feel how much children really wanted to share what they have experienced and felt in Tohoku and Indonesia.” (Parent)
“It was impressive to see children thinking and confidently giving presentations in English.” (Parent)