SI President Hanne and SI UN Rep. Yoko attend

Japan Higashi Region Conference

Part 1

Hanne and Yoko arrived in

Tokyo,
Japan, on April 14th just one month after

Japan was hit by the huge Earthquake and tsunami. The majority of tourists and other visitors have since returned home and so Hanne’s visit was an inspired action for Japanese Soroptimists. Hanne showed her friendship, and the friendship of Soroptimists around the world, by visiting the Japanese clubs.

SI Tokyo-Shinjuku club members welcomed Hanne at Narita airport, and their hospitality as the hostess club was overwhelming during our 6 days stay in

Tokyo.

The day before Higashi Region conference, we visited Shinjuku club and Azuma club regular meetings. Their meetings were well organised, diligent, transparent and inspiring meeting. Not only officers and board members but all regular members understood and participated in the Region conference agendas. It was amazing to watch their meetings and to see how other clubs do things. 

 

 SI President Hanne and SI UN Rep.Yoko visited

Japan Higashi Region Conference

Part 2

• 
  Tokyo Higashi Region Conference
• April 17th and 18th 2011
• Hotel New Ohtani  in
  
  TOKYO

Day 1: Opening of the Region Conference

The first speech was delivered by SI International President Hanne Jensbo. She explained the SI structure in brief, covering the 4 federations and current SI projects. She encouraged all clubs to submit Programme Focus reports to SI. She also shared and explained useful SI database information. During her speech, she suggested Japanese Soroptimists should think about establishing their own “Japan disaster funds” website, which could be a practical and effective way to collect disaster funds. Soroptimists around the world want to help Japanese Tsunami victims. Hanne then gave the floor to Yoko…

Yoko spoke in Japanese about SI UN Representative’s work. Not only Japanese Soroptimists, but many other Soroptimists from all Federations, do not know about the work SI UN Reps do at the UN Centres around the world. This speech was a great opportunity to learn about SI and the UN liaison work we do. Yoko explained how and why CSW is the most important event for SI at the UN and also the significance of the new entity UN Women.

Japanese Soroptimist had heard about the UN work but they had never meet a real SI UN Representative. After her speech, Yoko became a superstar!

After Yoko, SIA president Sharon Fisher complemented them on their hard work and encouraged them to continue their missions as a member of SIA Federation.

Day 2:

Hanne, Sharon and Yoko attended committee workshops in the morning and enjoyed the Ruby Awards Dinner reception.

Below is a comment from Melanie Yamauchi from SI Shinjuku club:

“I was inspired by Yoko’s speech about her liaison with the United Nations and about the formation of UN Women. She is a spokeswoman not only for Soroptimist International but for all women, and her artistic expression unites the aspirations of club members everywhere. Both Hanne and Yoko made us very proud to be Soroptimists, and showed us the value of a lifetime commitment to the betterment of women in society.”

Hanne’s visit to

Japan lifted the spirits of all Japanese Soroptimists, and encouraged members during a very difficult time. It was very successful visit for both SI and SIA, and we must continue to promote SI work to the world.

Soroptimists have been fundraising for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. President Hanne shares one story for SIE Switzerland:

“The active club in Interlaken has a baker
as member and her baker-husband is a real “soropti-mister”. He designed a
“Easter Hare” with big ears to be baked by volunteer soroptimists and all
material is delivered free of charge and sold for 1 CFR each. In three weeks the
club has sold for 16.000 CFR – about £11,000 – and they
continue. A nice story of solidarity from an active
club.”

 To donate to the Soroptimist disaster fund for Japan, click here.

Reported by Yoko Komori Olson

SI UN Representative to

New York

May 2011