|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Report |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| October 22, 2004 |
Departure of Peace Boat's 47th Global Voyage – Sayonara Mount Fuji! |
|
| |
 |
| The moment of departure |
Set against the sun-setting backdrop of Tokyo's skyline, hundreds of people came to Harumi port to wave goodbye to friends and family departing on Peace Boat's 47th global voyage. Special guest Mr.Mahlatse Mminele, Counsellor of the South African Embassy in Tokyo gave a warm send-off speech expressing full support for Peace Boat's mission of people's exchange around the world, and the strong ties of friendship built between the people of South Africa and Japan through Peace Boat's visits to the country. Shouts of well-wishing messages hung in the air, interlaced with a rainbow of streamers, balloons and banners as the boat departed from the shores of Japan, witnessing in the distance the majestic silhouette of Japan's most famous landmark – Mount Fuji. |
|
|
 |
| Passing under Tokyo's famous Rainbow Bridge |
This three month voyage of the Southern Hemisphere will take around 900 participants to 16 ports of call in 14 different countries, passing around Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. Participants and staff onboard Peace Boat represent a diversity of backgrounds and nationalities, ranging in age from one to 93, from students to company presidents, and representing over ten countries. The professional crew of TSS The Topaz (Peace Boat's chartered ship), from captain to cooks, number over 300 and represent over 20 countries from Indonesia to Greece to Egypt, with international English being the common language. |
| |
 |
| Mount Fuji in the distance |
Over the course of the three-month voyage over 40 guest educators from many different countries including Japan, Viet Nam, Kenya, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, the Philippines and South Africa will introduce us to the issues and people we will meet along the way. Ranging from academics to youth leaders to activists and NGO workers, these specialists aim to bring onboard their wealth of experience and knowledge, whether human rights, conflict studies, sustainable development, culture or art and music. |
| |
Always committed to fostering communication, exchange and understanding at the grassroots level between people separated by borders and nation state yet who are united in cause, each voyage is unique in the diverse themes and issues we study, and the people we meet. Travelling through the global south, our attention will focus on the environment, the positive and negative aspects of globalization, and the issues that indigenous people are facing.
Specific programs include:
- Japan from the outside - looking at Japan from a Filipino point of view
- Globalization and development in Africa
- 10 years post Apartheid – What can we learn from South Africa?
- Art and music is universal – connecting people and music for change from the townships of South Africa and favelas of urban Brazil
- On the brink of environmental disaster: Exposure to the South American environmental crisis
- Indigenous struggle against colonization and nuclearization of the South Pacific
- Multiculturalism – reflecting on the future of Japanese society
|
| |
 |
| Cruise Director Inoue Nao (left), who first joined a Peace Boat voyage two years ago as a guest Taiko musician and instructor |
Cruise Director Inoue Nao, a charismatic Taiko (traditional Japanese drum) musician, welcomed participants by sharing simply that peace begins by meeting people and opening up to those who challenge and question our beliefs; explaining the heart of the experience participants will have over the next three months. Later in the evening, as the Peace Boat ventured into the rough open sea, Captain Christoforidis welcomed participants with a toast to safe sailing and that each and every person could both grow and share the experience with someone they meet along the way. |
| |
|
|
|
