会長挨拶 Greetings from the President
市民どうしが仲良くしていれば、戦争は起こらない
松井宏次前会長から、バトンを受け取りました。松井さんをご紹介くださったのは、本会の初代会長であった藤原正男さんでした。
藤原さんは、上諏訪温泉で江戸時代から続く旅館を経営され、諏訪のまちづくりにも熱心でした。泳げる諏訪湖をめざして、ドイツとの環境セミナーを数回実施した、諏訪環境まちづくり懇談会の会長もされました。
大学を繰り上げ卒業して、羽毛のように藤原さんの運命をもてあそんだ戦争。スマトラ（インドネシア）で、敗戦降伏を体験した藤原さんの、信念が最初のメッセージです。ここから、本会の「草の根レベルの国際交流」もスタートしました。1985年のことです。
世界平和を考え、相手を喜ばすことを考え続ける生き方をした藤原正男さんの遺髪を継げたらと願っております。
諏訪国際交流協会会長
髙木 保夫
“If Citizens Get Along Well with Each Other, War Will Not Occur”
I was passed the baton from our association’s previous president, Koji Matsui. Mr. Matsui was introduced to me by our founding president, Masao Fujiwara.
Mr. Fujiwara ran a traditional inn among the Kamisuwa Hot Springs that has been operating since the Edo period, and he was also passionate about town development in Suwa. He served as chairman of the Suwa Environmental Town Development Discussion Group, which held several environmental seminars with experts from Germany with the aim of making Lake Suwa swimmable.
War toyed with Mr. Fujiwara’s destiny as if it were a feather after he graduated from college ahead of schedule. His conviction, born from experiencing defeat and surrender in Sumatra, Indonesia, was expressed in his first message: “If citizens get along well with each other, war will not occur”.
This was the start of our association’s “grassroots international exchange” in 1985.
We hope to carry on the legacy of Mr. Masao Fujiwara, who lived a life contemplating world peace and continuously thinking about making others happy.
Yasuo Takagi
Suwa International Friendship Association President
名誉会長挨拶 Greetings from Honorary President
諏訪国際交流協会は、1985年の設立以来、諏訪市の姉妹都市の一つであるセントルイス市への高校生の派遣や海外からの学生の受入れなどの事業を通じて将来を担う人材の育成を行うとともに、外国人との相互理解を深める機会を創出するなど、諏訪市と連携しながら市民を中心とした交流を続けてまいりました。
長きにわたり国際交流を継続することができましたのは、歴代の役員はじめ会員各位のご理解とご尽力の賜物であり、心から感謝を申し上げます。
諏訪市は、市民間交流の発展や世界にSUWAの魅力を発信できる人材の育成を目指して、今後も当協会と連携しながら国際交流を推進してまいります。
また、高校生生活体験交換事業など各種事業を経験された皆さんをはじめ、多くの市民より引き続き格段のご協力を頂き、諏訪市に相応しい国際交流活動が更に進展しますようご期待を申し上げます。
結びに、諏訪国際交流協会のご発展と皆様のご健勝とご活躍をお祈り申し上げ、ご挨拶といたします。
諏訪国際交流協会名誉会長
諏訪市長 金子 ゆかり
Since its establishment in 1985, Suwa International Friendship Association have continued the international exchange activities by citizens in cooperation with Suwa city. Also it provide the opportunities to deepen mutual understanding with foreigners. They have fostered human resources for the future through projects such as sending high school students to St. Louis, one of Suwa sister cities, and accepting students from abroad.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to all members including past board members for the effort to make it possible to continue mutual understanding and good relationship for a long time.
I will continue to promote international exchange in cooperation with the Suwa International Friendship Association, with the aim of expanding exchanges among citizens themselves and fostering human resources who can spread the charms of Suwa to the globe.
I hope that we will be able to proceed further international exchange activities on Suwa own. I also hope the support of many citizens including those who have experienced various programs such as high school students’ exchange study.
Lastly, I wish for the development of the Suwa International Friendship Association and for your good health and success.
Yukari Kaneko
Mayor of Suwa City
Suwa International Friendship Association Honorary President