Panel Discussion: Talking about International Exchange with the Foreign Ministry

February 8, 2006

A panel discussion "Talking about International Exchange with the Foreign Ministry" will be held on February 10 (Fri) in Tokyo (Foreign Ministry).
For conducting effective public diplomacy, it is necessary for not only the central government but also such diverse actors as local governments, NGOs, media and academic organizations, which have emerged in the forefront of international exchange in the wake of globalization, to actively exchange views and work in concert. This is the second panel discussion to be held following the first one in FY2005 with a view to building a network for this purpose.
The moderator, Mr. Toshihiro Menju, Chief Program Officer, Japan Center for International Exchange, together with four panelists including Ms. Nasuko Yamaguchi, Vice President, Shounai International Exchange Association will exchange views under the theme "Creative Acceptance of Foreign Culture: Towards the Revitalization of Local Communities through People-to-People Exchange." They will discuss from various aspects how to develop locally based international activities to the level of "Creative Acceptance".
Prior to the discussion, the FY2005 Conference of the Directors in Charge of International Exchange of Each Prefecture and Major Cities, which has been held since FY1990, will be held in the Foreign Ministry to promote international activities of local governments and to build up closer ties between them the Foreign Ministry.

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