Over eight months have passed since the devastating 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami hit the Tohoku region of a country which many of us former JETs at one time called home. With perhaps the exception of the continuing concern over the nuclear reactors in Fukushima, the disaster’s presence in the media as well as the public consciousness has waned.
Join us for an informal panel discussion, where we hope to raise questions and continue dialogue on the situation. Our discussion will be facilitated by the personal experiences of the following panelists:
Tanya Gardecky, ALT Miyagi-ken 2009-2010, who returned to Japan at the invitation of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revisit her placement city of Shiogama.
James Ahn, a former enlisted member of the US Air Force who was stationed at Misawa Air Base in Aomori-ken during the disaster.
Amber Hildebrandt, a journalist with CBC News Online who covered the earthquake/tsunami disaster from the ground
Sandy Gibson, ALT Yamagata-ken 2009-2011, experienced some of the effects of the disaster first-hand, and subsequently volunteered before returning to Toronto
Shaney Crawford, former CIR, who is currently involved with volunteering in the area (joining us via Skype)
Date: Friday, December 2nd
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Place: The Japan Foundation, 131 Bloor St. West
Cost: Free
The event will be followed by a nijikai at Bedford Academy (36 Prince Arthur Ave).
PLEASE RSVP to Yuri at events@staging.jetaatoronto.ca.