Saturday, November 19, 2011
1:30 - 5:00pm
Ginza Blossom Hall
(2-15-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

Organized by: The Goi Peace Foundation
Supported by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan

All of us have the potential to realize our dream and create a fulfilling life for ourselves. If each of us can demonstrate our creativity and actively contribute to our societies, we can bring about remarkable changes in the world. We will explore how all individuals can unleash their innate talents and build vibrant and innovative communities for a better future.

PROGRAM

PART 1

2011 Goi Peace Award Ceremony and Commemorative Address "Making the Impossible Possible" / Bill Strickland
The Goi Peace Award is presented annually to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world for all life on earth. The 2011 Goi Peace Award will be presented to Bill Strickland, social innovator and the President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

Bill Strickland

Born in 1947, Bill Strickland grew up in an inner-city neighborhood of Pittsburgh in the United States. His life changed when he was introduced to pottery throwing by his high school art teacher, who became his mentor. Building on his personal experience, he founded a community arts program and later an extraordinary jobs training center, through which he has empowered thousands of disadvantaged youth and adults to restore hope and dignity and become creative contributors to their communities. His success has attracted nationwide attention, and his model for social change has been replicated in many cities. Mr. Strickland has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the MacArthur "genius award." He is also the author of Making the Impossible Possible, and the founder of the Grammy-winning MCG Jazz. He has served on the board of the National Endowment of the Arts, and as a lecturer at Harvard Business School and other institutions. He is currently a member of the White House Council for Community Solutions appointed by President Obama.

Voice of Youth "My Story of Inspiration"
The 2011 International Essay Contest for Young People cosponsored by the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO attracted almost 7,000 entries from 140 countries. First prize winners of the children’s and youth categories will receive the Minister of Education Award and recite their story of inspiration.

PART 2

Talk Session "Designing Our Future"
What kind of future do we wish to create? How do we want to change the world? Now is the time for each of us to think about these essential questions. Leading social innovators will discuss how we can put our ideas into action and realize our vision.

Kazuhiro Fujihara
Visiting Professor at Tokyo Gakugei University; Special Advisor to the Governor of Osaka Prefecture; former principal of Wada Junior High School in Suginami ward. After his successful business career at Recruit Co. Ltd., he became the first individual from the private sector to serve as a principal in the Tokyo public school system, where he initiated innovative school programs, winning him numerous awards.

Hideyuki Inoue
Guest Associate Professor at Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance. He founded the Social Venture Center and started the annual "Style" prize, Japan’s first social venture business plan competition for the young generation. He also founded Social Venture Partners Tokyo, a venture philanthropy fund to nurture social entrepreneurship.

Bob Stilger, Ph.D.
Former co-president of the Berkana Institute. As a conversation host, teacher, speaker, consultant, facilitator and coach, he has worked with people and organizations around the world, building healthy, resilient communities for almost 40 years. Having worked in southern Africa, the Indian subcontinent and South America, among other places, he is currently actively involved in projects to revive communities in post-disaster Japan.

Masami Saionji
Chairperson of the Goi Peace Foundation and the World Peace Prayer Society (headquartered in New York). As an international lecturer, author and activist, she promotes peace awareness and spiritual development of individuals. She was awarded the Philosopher Saint Shree Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize of India along with her husband in 2008.

Hiroo Saionji
President of the Goi Peace Foundation and the World Peace Prayer Society. He is responsible for building the organizations’ international network for promoting dialogues and initiatives for peace. He launched the "Creating a New Civilization Initiative" with 13 partner organizations in 2005. He serves as a member of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.

*Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation available.
*MERRY PROJECT photographs will be exhibited on stage.