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Osaka University Symposium on a topic requiring immediate action: "In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, what can WE do?"
On Friday , April 29 , the Osaka University Symposium on a topic requiring immediate action: " In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, what can WE do? " was held at Osaka University's Nakanoshima Center .
In this symposium, specialists at Osaka University presented proposals regarding how they could use their experience from the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake and how they, as citizens, could assist. Specialists also discussed --with participants-- insights Osaka University could offer.
In the first part of the symposium, under the theme of "NOW", lecturers presented their ideas: HIRONO Tetsurou, associate professor at the Graduate School of Science (" Why did the earthquake occur? "), YAMAGUCHI Akira, professor at the Graduate School of Engineering (" What is happening at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant "), and KATAOKA Isao, professor at the Graduate School of Engineering (" Future Nuclear Power ").
These lectures were followed by a discussion chaired by MOCHIZUKI Masahito, professor at the Graduate School of Engineering. Through these discussions, up-to-date information about the disaster was disseminated among attendees.
In the second part, under the theme of "HENCE FORTH," additional lectures were presented: ATSUMI Tomohide, professor at the Graduate School of Human Science (" What we can do "), INABA Keishin, associate professor at the Graduate School of Human Science (" Emotional care -- Caring for the whole person "), FUJIWARA Mamoru, associate professor at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (" A Survey of Radiation Contamination "), MIRIKURI Shigekazu, professor at the Center for the Study of Communication-Design (" Regenerating lives and communities -- What must we do? "), KAGA Atsuko, professor at the Graduate School of Engineering (" Resuscitation and Recovery of Cities "). Chaired by KADOMURA Yukiyo, associate professor of the University-Industry Collaboration Division, specialists presented their ideas for recovery in the aftermath of this disaster.
Later, in the question-answer session, persons ranging in age from high school students through to adults expressed their views and asked question, deepening the discussion.
Some participants expressed their wish that Osaka and Osaka University should take the initiative in invigorating Japan.
Some 300 persons participated in this symposium. All in all, with participation from regular citizens to specialists, this symposium resulted in very fruitful discussion. Thank you to all who attended and participated!
Although not part of the above symposium, but an event that illustrates one example of "what we can do," a student-led kick-off event for the Kansai Charity Art Exhibition was also held on the first floor at the Nakanoshima Center in the morning. This event presented a practical means through its display of art work and the sale and postcards of one way to assist in the aftermath of this terrible disaster.
Thank you to all who participated in this event!
A report on this kick-off event can be downloaded by clicking here.