We are finally just about one week away from the launch of our crowdfunding campaign on August 1st! Today, we would like to introduce our study in Osaka.
In Osaka, participants are divided into groups based on their preparatory study sessions to engage with human rights issues and the history of discrimination faced by homeless individuals, as well as people from Korea and Okinawa who have migrated to Osaka.
Upon hearing the story of a Zainichi Korean individual living under a Korean name, a participant shared, “When Bengalis—the majority in Bangladesh—mispronounced my name, I never corrected them. But from now on, I decided I will tell people its correct pronunciation.” Both the curriculum staff and his group members were genuinely delighted to hear his words. As a member of an ethnic minority in Bangladesh who also struggled with English at ARI, he had rarely voiced his opinions, often remaining quiet with a gentle smile beside his Bengali classmates.
Manosi Abe Chatterjee, Curriculum Coordinator, reflects on the significance of the training in Osaka:
“Having the opportunity to listen directly to those on the front lines of poverty and discrimination, as well as to the affected individuals themselves, is invaluable. Learning that such issues exist even in a so-called developed country like Japan comes as a profound shock to participants. Furthermore, when local high school students in Osaka who join the fieldwork frequently remark that they were unaware of these issues until now, participants realize just how hidden these problems remain. This experience teaches them the importance of looking closely at the people within their own communities to uncover underlying struggles, while also providing an opportunity to reflect on their own internal biases—making it a deeply meaningful lesson in servant leadership.”
■ Crowdfunding Campaign Starts August 1st!
We will be launching our crowdfunding campaign on the “Syncable” platform.
https://ari.ac.jp/en/campaign/update
■ Seeking “Support Funding Partners” (July 1st-)
Would you be willing to set up your own personal sub-campaign page on Syncable? You can help us to raise donations from your friends!
If you’re interested in, please contact us at [email protected].
