International Symposium
<Greeting and key note speech: Ms. Keiko Higuchi (Co-chair, JANCA)>
I would like to thank all of you who have made this symposium possible. Let me give you a brief overview on how we have come to hold this symposium. JANCA, founded in 1999 or International Year of Older Persons, is a loose network of organizations which work on aging-related issues. Currently, JANCA has more than 60 member organizations, and it is chaired by Mr. Tsutomu Hotta and me. Facing unprecedented population aging, our common goal is to develop new culture and social system which are suitable for the “centenarian society.” We would like to propose ideas that bring happiness to younger and future generations, act on these ideas, and make better changes in the society.
One of the biggest challenges facing us is environment. We conducted a survey with senior citizens on environmental problems 2 years ago. The results show that almost all the respondents are interested in environmental issues and that over 20% of them are involved in environmental protection activities in their own communities. Based on this survey and other case studies, we made and publicized “Seniors’ Action Plans to Tackle Environmental Problems: 4 Resolutions and 3 Collaborations” in June, 2006.
Older adults have several advantages when working on environmental problems. First, we know what it means to be poor. Yet, it seems like we are caught in the tremendous waves of mass-production, mass-consumption, and over-consumption while “Mottainai” spirit is stuck in our minds. Now is the time for this spirit to come back. Secondly, environmental problems have made us rediscover the intergenerational connections. Senior citizens’ activities on environmental protection are always linked to intergenerational communication. The planet is being destroyed by humans, and I think it can only be rebuilt by humans. Realizing our responsibilities, we would like to work hard to leave clean water, clean air, and safe foods for our future generations.
Let’s work on it together!
<Congratulatory speech: Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister (Message read by Mr. Hideki Minamikawa（Director-General of the Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of Environment）>
It is a great pleasure to have the timely and important symposium “Seniors’ Go Green.” I am also thankful for JANCA’s efforts in creating senior citizens’ Ikigai and in contributing to the society.
The key issue for the 21st century is environment. We are also facing a big challenge in revitalizing communities. Senior citizens have a lot of knowledge and experiences, and they are very enthusiastic for social activities. In other words, they are the societal treasure. We can utilize their knowledge and experiences to create better environment and communities. Senior citizens’ involvement in environmental protection activities in each community will improve both environmental awareness and vitality of the community.
The government would also like to make several efforts, such as selecting “environmental model cities” and developing training and activities for senior citizens to serve as specialists and/or volunteers. Toyako Summit will be held this July. As a chair, I would like to show the Japanese leadership, with support from senior citizens, so that the worldwide efforts will be further made to protect environment.
I hope this symposium will bring fruitful results.
<Guest speech: Mr. Masao Kimiwada (President, TV Asahi)>
It is such a great honor to support this timely and important symposium hosted by JANCA. I have heard that JANCA supports various activities for senior citizens (e.g., “Mottainai” campaign, long-term care, energy-saving activities, recycling and environmental protection) and develops its network. In this symposium, I hope to see a lot of useful opinions and ideas on how to deal with the aging society and environmental problems. I will be most grateful if each of you can find some hints you can use in daily living and the network is strengthened.
I would like to end with my wishes for the success of this symposium and the further prosperity of JANCA.
<Message: Ms. Irene Hoskins (President, International Federation on Ageing) (Message read by Yoshiko Yamada, JANCA staff)>
Both the young and the old are particularly at risk when it comes to climate change and environmental deterioration. Older persons are, however, much more than simply the victims of environmental change and climate change, such as global warming. Based on their knowledge, their wisdom and their experience, they can become agents for change for a better environmental future. There is an old African proverb “When an old person dies, a library disappears.” It is not difficult to understand that this includes a library on the environment. Let us make sure their knowledge and wisdom – their “libraries” of knowledge — are appreciated and utilized.
IFA salutes and congratulates JANCA for their initiative “Senior’s Go Green.”
