Peaceful dialogue between peoples in North-East Asia Children's paintings / Emergency Relief

Background

In 2009, there was a noticeable increase of international pressure against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) for its withdrawal from the Six-Party Talks and its consistent pushing of its nuclear agenda. It has led to the further tension between Japan and North Korea. Also, looking at South Korea, the shift of its policy towards North Korea from the Sunshine Policy has greatly affected their diplomatic relations. As this strained bilateral as well as multilateral relations at national level takes root, the tension among citizens has become visible. This trend must not lead to power politics as a means of maintaining the regional security in North-East Asia. Rather, we are facing the strong need for peaceful dialogue at the grassroots and national level to improve the status quo.

Summary of activities

(1)Peaceful Dialogue through Children’s Paintings

Since 2001, JVC has held an annual exhibition, called the “Friendship Exhibition”, between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Although we are neighboring countries, due to the lack of opportunities to communicate, we have build negative images of each other. This exhibition is meant to encourage the mutual understanding among youths and adults. The project is run by 9 Japanese NGOs in cooperation with a South Korean NGO, Okedongmu Korea, and primary schools in the DPRK.

2009 Annual Report

Friendship Exhibition
Tokyo, Pyongyang, Seoul – we tried to make a joint art piece by children in three cities. Given the original design from LIU JaeSoo, an author of children books in South Korea, children from Japan and South Korea in Tokyo as well as children from North Korea and Korean-Japanese in Pyongyang worked together on the piece called, “Peace Tree.” In October, this piece was exhibited in Tokyo along with a well-attended talk event with LIU JaeSoo and TASHIMA Seizo, who is Japanese picture book author. Exhibition was also held in Fukuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Saitama and 8 other regions in Japan.

2010 Annual Plan

In 2010, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our mutual interaction activities in Japan, North Korea and South Korea. Like last year, we will aim at making a joint art piece, which symbolizes the importance of mutual communication. Also, we will provide a place for impartial dialogue where Japanese and South Korean high school and university students, who have participated deeply in this project, can share their experiences and discuss the significance of mutual understanding.

(2)Emergency Relief

Despite the fact that there are no official diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea, as a member of the “Relief Campaign Committee for Children, Japan(RCCJ)”, JVC has tackled the problems of health and nutrition from a citizens’ point of view. In recent years, we have taken part in emergency relief in regions affected by natural disasters.

2009 Annual Report

We did not conduct any emergency relief projects, as there was no outstanding natural disaster.

2010 Annual Plan

It is not easy to provide direct aid from Japan to North Korea as Japan has intensified its economic sanctions. The same as last year, we will continue to collect information while monitoring the situation and prepare ourselves, should such a need arise, to provide for humanitarian assistance.