Peace dialogue by means of children's paintings

Background

There was an international outcry against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) following its missile launch in July and its nuclear test in October. In particular in Japan, not only did the government adopt strict measures such as targeted economic sanctions, but also it is increasing pressures on the domestic community of Koreans resident in Japan. However at the same time, economic relations between North Korea and countries such as China and South Korea have shown a clear improvement, and the dialogue between the US and North Korea is also proceeding. At this time when relations between Japan and North Korea are facing an impasse, people to people links are becoming all the more important.

Summary of activities

1. Peace dialogue

We collected paintings from children in Japan, South Korea and North Korea and held an "Exhibi-tion of paintings from the children of North and South Korea and Japan". The aim is help children of northeast Asia, who have very few chances to get to know one another, to embrace a future vision of peace. Our years of cooperative links with the South Korean NGO Oriniokkedonmu and the elementary schools in North Korea have become the grounds for painting exhibitions that have started to take root in Tokyo, Seoul and Pyongyang.

2006 Annual Report
In addition to holding painting exhibitions in Seoul (May), Tokyo (July) and Pyongyang (August), we also took the exhibition on tour to 14 locations within Japan. Even though public opinion towards North Korea is becoming colder, by showing the reallife interaction taking place through children's paintings and messages, we have been able to garner some agreement for the need for dialogue.

Furthermore, for the Japanese children and the Korean children resident in Japan who have met each other through the painting exhibitions, by pushing ahead with dialogue, mutual understanding is becoming further entrenched.

2007 Annual Plan
In addition to the exchange of paintings and messages that accompanies the painting exhibitions, we would like to show simultaneous video presentations of film shot in each area as a means of conveying the voices of the children, even though they are not able to meet one another directly. At the same time, we will establish a space for Japanese children and Korean children resident in Japan to learn about the relationship between Japan and the Korean peninsular and the situation of Koreans resident in Japan. This will form the background for a "Friendship Exhibition"

2.Support on the ground

Because of the worsening message of the Japanese government towards North Korea and the impact of measures such as the economic sanctions, it is be-coming increasingly difficult to provide assistance through the "Korea children's campaign" (a collaboration between JVC, Ayus and Chikyu no ki). It is difficult to provide regular aid, but we will work to gather information so that we could provide emergency assistance in the event of a natural disaster.

2006 Annual Report
We intended to provide aid to victims of the floods that took place in July, but since we were unable to clarify where the aid should be sent, we passed over on that project. We were able to confirm that the solar power facility that we repaired last year are still functioning without problems.