BRAZIL CHILDREN’S NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD UNDER THE THEME, “I AM A CHILD OF GOD. I LOVE NATURE”
Attended by 1,700 Children
Childrens' National Convention held at
Auditorium of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters
In Brazil, the Brazil Children’s National Convention (Portuguese) and the Children’s/Junior National Speech Contest (Japanese) were held from September 22 to 27. The National Children’s Convention took place at four sites, including the Auditorium of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters. The number of attendees totaled 1,710.
The Children’s Convention at each site, held every year, is co-sponsored by the Brazil Brotherhood Association and the White Dove Association. The theme of this year’s Convention was “I Am a Child of God. I Love Nature.” The program included lectures as well as presentations and displays in three categories: speech, penmanship and painting.
The Children’s National Convention in the Auditorium of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters in Sao Paulo (October 27), which was the main site, was attended by 644 children. Using as their texts Portuguese translations of such books as Utsukushiku Ikiyo (Let’s Live Beautifully) by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi, Rev. Lilian Suzi Baffi Norimatsu (Assistant Minister) and other lecturers gave lectures, including, “Gratitude to Nature Protects the Environment,” “Children Are All Geniuses and Have Infinite Potential,” and “In Order to Bring Out Your Talent,” In addition, there was a presentation of a play to appeal for the preciousness of water and the need for environmental protection.
The Children’s/Junior Speech Contest (Japanese) held on the same day at the annex building of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters, had 735 participants.
According to the Brazil Missionary Headquarters, the Japanese-language Speech Contest has been held since 1964 and this year’s marked the 43rd contest. In the Speech category, the judges included two teachers dispatched from the Brazil Japanese Language Center. The winners of the prizes were awarded with a certificate and a commemorative gift from Rev. Sinji Takahashi (Ordained Minister, Chairman of Brazil Brotherhood Association).
At this Contest, participants’ name tags were made from used milk packs. Other recycled items were also used for many purposes. This helped strengthen the awareness for environmental protection.
Comments received from the participants included: “I had my grandmother teach me Japanese and summoned up my courage and decided to participate in the speech contest. I was very happy to do it. I will try my best next year, too.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshio Mukai,
BISHOP OF SEICHO-NO-IE LATIN AMERICA
“In Brazil, the Youth and Young Adult Association and White Dove Association have long been responsible for developing the Children’s Division (for elementary school students). Even today, there are gatherings for Children’s Division and Junior Division (for junior high school students), depending upon the circumstances of each local area. I expect that the attendees will join the Youth and Young Adult Association in the future. I appreciate their efforts very much.”