ESU International Relations Conference 2008
- Back-to-home Report by Ms. Chihiro Nakagawa -

The ESU International Relations Conference 2008 at Oriel College, Oxford University, was attended by 30 participants chosen by the respective ESU in 23 countries and offered opportunities for the participants to listen to lectures of a wide range of subjects, including economy, laws, culture and education, and to exchange views among themselves.

The discussions were all very active and meaningful as they reflected the participants' diverse career backgrounds that included lawyers, medical doctors, bureaucrats, university academics, graduate students, and retirees in different age and gender groups. The lecture given by a British lawyer not only discussed about the juridical system in UK but gave the participants an opportunity to see the robe and wig used at the courts, giving a strong impression of tradition. "No poor country, only ignorant country" was a phrase that is still ringing in my thought after the lecture on "Globalization." It discussed the borderless economic activities beyond each domestic market today when information and people move easily across the borders, and highlighted the importance of education and the use of English.

It strengthened my recognition of the significance of Parliamentary Debating which ESUJ is promoting by organizing competitions in Japan, as it addresses to its educational effect of strengthening common knowledge, logical thinking and English delivery.

On the personal front, I had fresh and splendid experiences of making acquaintances with people from Serbia, Tajikistan and Moldova which are rarely attending usual international conferences. They all helped me recognize the diversity of countries.

Opportunities were given also to see Shakespeare's "Hamlet" on its home stage and the church, library and the dining room with the old long table which were used in making Harry Potter films. Together with the cobble-stone avenues of Oxford town, they were all memorable as scenes in which I sensed histories of the places I visited.

Lastly, I express my heartfelt thanks to the English-Speaking Union and the English-Speaking Union of Japan for giving me such a unique and wonderful opportunity.

English Club

For the 101st English Club held on Tuesday, 22 July at Nissei Life Plaza Marunouchi, Ms. Dwi Pebrianti was invited to talk "Developing a Flying Robot - in the forefront of robotic development.

"Ms. Pebrianti, an Indonesian doctorate student at Chiba University under the scholarship of College Women's Association of Japan, vividly described her group's efforts in developing an autonomous flying robot, "X-UFO," with a camera eye that helps surveillance of calamity-stricken grounds which cannot be covered enough by satellite images. She illustrated a promising view of further development and utilization of big and small autonomously flying robots in post- disaster and environmental monitoring, not only its role in Indonesia.

In Q & As questions such as population of female scientists and engineers in Indonesia, and views like prospect of controlling such robots by the use of cellular phones, R & D investments in robot development were actively exchanged. After a recess in August, English Club resumes its monthly activities in September in the new venue, waiting for a larger number of participants to come and enjoy it.

The next English Club will be take place on Tuesday, 16 September at MARUNOUCHI CAFE, new place for us.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 16 September 19:00-20:30
Place: MARUNOUCHI CAFE (1F, Shin Tokyo Building,)
Guest Speaker: Mr. Gonzalo Robledo, Journalist / Producer
" Francis Xavier's Culture Shock"

Latest JITOW Column　http://www.esuj.gr.jp/jitow/eng

"Divided Diet" Stalemated for Lack of Compromising Skills
---ISERI Hirofumi August 8, 2008
The Toyako Summit put off acting to avert the crisis for mankind
--- ONO Goro July 25, 2008
The United States' Resilience to Overturn the "Existing Order"
--- WATANABE Yasushi July 18, 2008
Replacing "Values-Based Diplomacy" - Fukuda Administration's Diplomatic Realism
--- KITAMURA Fumio July 14, 2008


ESUJ Lecture　　Don't miss this opportunity!
Date & Time: Thursday, 4 September, 19:00-20:30
Place: Japan National Press Club (9th floor, Large Conference Room)
Lecturer: Mr. Paul Sands, GM, Virgin Atlantic in Japan
"An Introduction to Virgin Atlantic and Current Hot Topics in the Airline Industry"


ESUJ University Debating Competition 2008
Date: October 12 (Sun.) & 13 (Mon. Holiday)
Place: National Olympics Memorial Youth Center