|
|
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 Happy New Year! It is my great pleasure to send this message to you at the start of 2010 hoping that the New Year will bring prosperity and happiness.
The year 2009 ended with a Climate Change Conference with delegates from more than 100 countries discussing the future of our earth in Copenhagen Denmark, a country which has a history of restoring its natural environment and reviving its economy after the World War II by planting trees extensively in its country land. Climate change is a pressing issue in all parts of the world. Last December, it was reported that the people of Europe and Eastern part of United States had record -breaking heavy snow falls. We were also reminded of one of the worst natural disaster in history caused by the tsunami. Thousands of candles lit up Thailand's Patong Beach, thousands of saffron-robed Buddhist monks marched and people held vigils as Asia marked the fifth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26. We wonder what we can do as a citizen of the earth.
54 years after our founder Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen established Ikebana International, Japanese art of ikebana has spread throughout the world and now Ikebana International has 164 chapters in seven regions of the world, thanks to the hard work of our predecessors. Recently, Headquarters has been promoting “Green Campaign” in hopes that we who handle flowers and other nature’s own materials for ikebana should be more conscious of preserving nature. Many chapters, after this campaign was announced successfully combined tree planting with their anniversaries. In its 50th Anniversary, Melbourne Chapter was very fortunate to plant a Wollemi Pine presented by the city which was believed to have become extinct about 2 million years ago, but was rediscovered in 1994. No matter what the tree is I thank all the chapters for their understanding and cooperation in materializing this campaign.
Cherry blossoms, symbol of our organization has a special meaning to Japanese. When I visited Washington D.C., I was moved by the words of a taxi driver who knowing that I was a Japanese, thanked me for planting the cherry trees along the Potomac River to manifest friendship between the people of two countries. They have no doubt given much joy to the American people for many years. Even a single cherry tree in full bloom can bring happiness to people young and old. I am very pleased to hear that many chapters in Japan have chosen a cherry tree for the tree planting ceremony.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon satisfied with the deal at the COP 15 remarked that “I am aware that it is just the beginning. It will take more than this to definitively tackle climate change, but it is a step in the right direction…With common sense, compromise and courage we can find a way to combat the threat of climate change”. Let us remember that we too can make a difference in our daily lives using our common sense, making small compromises for the sake of others and with a little courage.
A world in which we can enjoy ikebana is a world of peace and harmony. I thank all the members for your continued support towards our ongoing goal.
In friendship through flowers,
Itsuko Nakayama
|
|
|
|
