The Atsumi International Foundation is organizing a hybrid, bilingual event about Palestine which will feature presentations from specialists, Palestinians and student activists based in Japan. If you are interested in how this issue is being discussed in Japan as well as what activism may be happening here, please do join us. Details are below.

English: https://www.aisf.or.jp/sgra/english/2024/05/28/the-73rd-sgra-forum-palestine-and-the-wall-between-us/

Japanese: https://www.aisf.or.jp/sgra/active/schedule/2024/19337/

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Title: Palestine and the Wall Between Us

Date/Time: June 25, 2024 (Tuesday) / 17:30 to 19:00 (followed by dinner reception*)

How to attend: In person or via Zoom webinar

Venue: Showa Women's University, Central Administrative Building, 3F (Building labeled "AB" on the campus map. Please enter through the Main Gate.)

Language: English and Japanese, with simultaneous interpretation **

Registration: Please register via this link

* Please join us for the dinner reception with Palestinian food after the event (free).

** Simultaneous interpretation will be done via Zoom. If you are participating at the venue and need interpretation, please bring your own device (smartphone, laptop, etc) and earphones. 

Contact: SGRA Office (sgra@aisf.or.jp)

About the Forum

The ongoing conflict in Palestine is often described as "too complicated" to understand. This characterization can be seen as a myth that aims to foster indifference towards a conflict that has been going on for more than 75 years. This event seeks to unravel these complexities by examining the situation through an objective and humanitarian lens, emphasizing why it should matter to everyone. Through insightful presentations and discussions with experts, Palestinians, and students actively involved in pro-Palestinian movements, we hope to shed light on the importance of addressing this issue and the various barriers encountered along the way.  

The term "wall" in this context carries profound significance. It represents not only the physical barrier due to apartheid and colonization in Palestinian territories but also the invisible wall that stifles open discussion and suppresses free speech on this topic. Students worldwide are breaking these invisible barriers through protests and activism, sparking necessary public debate and bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront. 

This event aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Palestinian cause, exploring both local and global perspectives. Attendees will gain new insights and consider diverse approaches to address the issue.

Program

17:30  Opening (MC: Aqil Cheddadi, Keio University, Visiting Lecturer)
Opening Remarks (Junko Imanishi, Atsumi Foundation/SGRA Representative)

17:35  Presentation 1: Hani Abdelhadi (Meiji University, Senior Assistant Professor)
Basics of the Question of Palestine: Revisiting the Historical and Political Compositions (JP)

18:05  Presentation 2: Weam Numan (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Graduate Student)
Architecture of Control: How Built Environment is a Weapon of Colonization (EN)

18:20  Presentation 3: Takami Mizokawa (Waseda University, Undergraduate Student)
Student, Queer and Environmental Activists Taking a Stand: Pro-Palestine Movements in
Tokyo Since October 2023 (JP)

18:35  Q&A and Discussion (JP/EN)
Moderator: Yoshiaki Tokunaga (JSPS Postdoctoral Researcher, Nihon University)
Online Q&A Facilitator: Lifu Guo (Tsukuba University, Assistant Professor)

19:00　Close / Dinner reception