Announcements

Global Festa, the Japan's largest event celebrating international cooperation will be held in Hibiya Park in Tokyo Oct. 3-4 with the theme "Environment and Climate Change".

The annual event is aimed at raising awareness and interest in international cooperation and last year attracted nearly 100,000 visitors during its two-day run. It is sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC).

An estimated 275 groups including 162 non governmental organizations, 30 embassies, 78 government agencies and five private companies will have booths and exhibitions at the multi-cultural event and among other things they will highlight both cultural and culinary arts from the participating countries.

In addition to a permanent JICA booth, the agency will also stage one of the major highlights, "Stage from the World" where, among other things, the situation in Palestine will be highlighted with films and songs. Doctor Norihiko Kuwayama, who has traveled extensively in the developing world, will moderate a session covering the situation in various regions.

• The Global Festa official website is:
  http://www.gfjapan.com/eng/web/01_open/index.html