Day 3: Down to business

Today's program included the formal Opening Ceremony, as well as some formal procedural and business sessions and the presentation of the Asia Pacific and WAGGGS reports.

Highlights of the day included:

Yuriko Koike, the Keynote Speaker at the Opening Ceremony.  Koike is a member of the House of Representatives and was Japan's first female Minister of Defence.  She shared some very inspiring stories about the results that she has brought about in Japanese parliament (and also previously in her career as a TV journalist specialising in Arab affairs) by speaking out and paving the way for women.  

An amazing drumming performance by Japanese Girl Scouts.  

We welcomed Myanmar as a Country Working Towards WAGGGS Membership.

 

The launch of a book to celebrate and commemorate forty years of the Asia Pacific Region, written by Australia's own Jan McIntyre.

Mary McPhail, Chief Executive of WAGGGS, presented a wonderful speech illustrating the actions of WAGGGS and particularly the success of the Stop the Violence campaign which has involved the creation of a global co-educational curriculum which is receiving support from the World Organisation of Scout Movements, YMCA, YWCA and the Duke of Ed Program.  

The Australian delegation split up during the evening. Helen and Joan met with the Chief Commissioners and International Commissioners, respectively, from other member organisations.  Miranda joined the other young delegates for an informal session with the Chief of the World Board, Nadine El Achy, Teruka Wada from the World Board, Ruchira Jayasinghe and Kat Charcos-Puyo who shared their experiences and tips regarding leadership, working on WAGGGS committees or as WAGGGS staff and life in general.

Day 2: spinning tops, shrines and scenic walks

This morning we formally registered for the Asia Pacific Regional Conference and received our goody bags containing our conference t-shirt, conference mug, conference water bottle, and some Japanese souvenirs.

A large number of Girl Scouts of Japan (Brownies, Junior and Senior Girl Scouts) came to the conference centre to share various Japanese activities and games with us.  We tried some Japanese calligraphy, origami and spinning games, and learned about Japanese tea ceremonies.   The Girl Scouts were extremely friendly and we swapped many badges and pins with them.

After lunch, Australian delegation headed out to explore Yoyogi Park.  The large leafy park was full of families enjoying picnics, people practicing musical instruments and cyclists all out on a sunny summer day.  We decided it was necessary to taste test a variety of Japanese ice creams.

Our next stop was Meiji Shrine and we were lucky enough to see two Japanese weddings with the brides in traditional gowns.   

After Meiji Shrine, we took a scenic walk back to the conference centre through the suburb of Harajuku. 

We were back just in time for dinner, at which we had a meeting with Jeng and Grace from the Asia Pacific Regional Committee.

The evening was filled with an orientation session for all the delegates to learn about some of the options available at the conference, and Joan then attended the Procedures Committee meeting while the rest of us relaxed with (more) ice creams.  

We are all looking forward to the formal Opening Ceremony tomorrow.

Day 1 (日--)

The Australian delegation arrived in Japan from all corners of Australia late on Thursday, and we have spent Friday exploring the conference centre and wider Tokyo.  The conference starts tomorrow, so today was a day for getting our bearings and doing some preparation ahead of the conference.

We started with a traditional Japanese breakfast of miso soup, rice, cabbage, corn, fish, pasta salad, jelly, bananas and white bread with strawberry jam before heading off to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.  The elevator took us to the 45th floor for some amazing views, but unfortunately the air was not clear enough to view Mt Fuji (which was quite a disappointment to a number of us, who are now inclined to believe that it doesn't really exist).  The photo below shows the view of Yoyigi Park, and our accomodation is the set of pink buildings inside the park!

The next step was to take the plunge with the very complicated Tokyo train system and attempt to decipher the whirlwind of numbers and colours.  Joan, who has been to Tokyo 6 times previously, took on the role of tour guide and successfully brought us to Asakusa, where we enjoyed an amazing tempura lunch.

Our next stop was Senso-ji temple, which is approached through the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon). In front of the temple is a large incense cauldron and we dutifully wafted the smoke towards ourselves to bestow good health.

The surrounding shops sold a large variety of hats, handbags, food, paper and other trinkets, so we engaged in an hour or so of shopping and staggered home through rush hour laden with numerous bags.

We have all enjoyed practising some basic Japanese today, and are quite good at bowing politely and smiling when all else fails.  Our numerous Guiding skills have been put in use throughout the day as we have dealt with trials of navigation, first aid and emergency repairs.

Many other conference delegates have been arriving this evening, and people have been catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Jumata!

Meet the Australian Delegation!

Learn about the five members of the Girl Guides Australia delegation to the 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference before they fly out from Australia to Japan this week.

Helen Geard

Helen is the Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Australia.  She believes that the Asia Pacific Girl Guide conference will be a great opportunity to learn more about Guiding in the region and to discuss a wide range of important issues. She is also looking forward to meeting Guiding friends and seeing Japan for the first time. Helen says that the Australian team has been working hard to ensure everything is ready and they can make a positive contribution to the conference outcomes.

 

 

Joan Bunker

Joan is the International Manager of Girl Guides Australia. She is looking forward to her first international Guide Conference where agenda items will be discussed that may influence Guiding in Australia in the future. Joan has visited Japan on a number if occasions previously and will be meeting up with friends she has made through Girl Scouts Japan during and after the conference.

 

 

Jane Dent

Jane is the State Commissioner of Girl Guides Tasmania and a Board Member of Girl Guides Australia. She is looking forward to the Conference and learning how we all can work together to make Guiding even stronger in the AP Region. She will be visiting with Guiding friends from Troop 71 (Tokyo) and Troop 19 (Osaka) after the Conference.

  

 

Robinette Emonson

Robinette is the State Commissioner of Girl Guides Victoria.  As she heads off to her first Asia Pacific Region Conference she is looking forward to meeting lots of her Guiding Sisters from across the Region. Robinette thinks the Agenda looks challenging and she hopes to bring back lots of ideas which we can translate into an Australian context. She is sure Tokyo will be a little warmer than Melbourne at present, so has packed the light clothes in the case.

 

 

Miranda Cummings

Miranda is the Chair of the Olave Program for Girl Guides Western Australia. She has never been to Japan before and is really looking forward to sharing experiences and learning with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the Asia Pacific Region. She will be staying in Tokyo after the conference to catch up with a friend who she met while volunteering at Our Chalet.