Activities of Kansai
Seminar House
This two-day residential program aims that people in Christian social welfare institutions listen to the lecture of the theme: "the mission and responsibility of Christian social welfare institutions" by people who have taken the leading and important role on this field, then share and discuss on the issues they are facing in their works. Also it is good opportunity to build a network through active opinion exchange, new encounter, and rich friendship. Since started in 1999, program has met 3 times.
Fantasy Group Seminar is a program using "image" to see one's insight in group dynamics based on the Carl Jung psychological theory. The program was introduced by Prof. Kazuhiko Higuchi, a leading analyst of Jung school and developed in Kansai Seminar House for over 20 years. Through this residential two-day program of sessions and discussions, participants find deep creativity and awareness of oneself through the elements of 'image', 'group works', 'art' and 'fun'. Now this seminar has held at many cities of Japan and used at deffernt selfawareness program.
In this residential two-day program kindergarten teachers and Nursery school workers deals with various issues in the preschool (nursery school) education scenes in there days through lectures and discussions. Participants also can share their problems and worries freely in casual party and small group discussion.
"Elderhostel Japan Program"(EHJP) is a "study tour" with the philosophy of post-retirement education. Kansai Seminar House host 5-6 day Kyoto program in their 3week tour of Japan. Participants of EHJP are in age group of late 60 to early 80, with impressive vitality and curiosity to Japan and Japanese culture. We arrange variety of programs like lectures introducing different aspects of Japan and Japanese people, and cultural programs such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement and other traditional Japanese cultural activities, field trips, visit to kindergarten and factories, programs with Japanese students, local people and concert etc
IMF-JC(Japan Council of International Metalworkers' Federation) West Japan Labor Leadership Course is a leader-training program of the IMF-JC, one of the Japanese key industries labors union. http://www.imf-jc.or.jp/ About 40 members participates live together at the Kansai Seminar House for three weeks. It provides the opportunity to have the comprehensive personal growth and to acquire education from international point of view through university-level lectures and other programs. The program produces over 1000 alumni and they became executive members at the key industries labor union around the country.
Retreat program under the theme "Church grows by our prayer",in which Christians in different generations participate with relaxing environments. Adults attended seminars on issues that churches and Christians face nowadays. Children enjoyed nature-oriented program such as handicraft making and hiking. Also worship and prayer and meditation time took in important parts of program. Participants came from different churches and denominations.
Lately, one group visits to the Republic of Marshall Islands every year, to learn the issues of global warming, and nuclear wastes and engaged cooperative sessions with NGO workers and school teachers there. Other group goes to India to visit the NGOs that works for social welfare and the liberation of the Dalit people who are still in severe discriminated condition since they did not belong to "caste system". In tne program, participants learn about the discriminated condition that Dalit people are still put in and community development activities of the NGOs through seminars, worlshop, visits to slums and rural villages.
This program started in 1989 with University professors, ministers and people in the field of research and education to share their current studies and to discuss on the topic in the light of Christian faith. This Seminar is held four time a year . Some of lates topics ; "Reports from Hospis.", "Christian Welfare movement in India", " Comparative study; Home for the aged between Sweden and Japan from architectural aspects." "Israel-Palestine Issues Today"
Christian pastors from different denominations gather in Kansai Seminar House for this ecumenical program of retreat and fellowship. During 3day-2night program with rather relaxed atmosphere, they talk about common concerns in their pastoral duties and share their own issues. Also they visit issue oriented organizations and/or social welfare organizations.
The joint program with Kyoto Council of Churches, the ecumenical association of churches and organizations in Kyoto). Pastors and members of affiliated churches and organizations discuss on the current social issues from perspectives of Christian concern.
Since its foundation in 1978, ACAA's a main office had been located in Kansai Seminar House. (Now it's in INDONESIA)Many works are exhibited in lobby, conference room and guest rooms in Kansai Seminar House. ACAA encourages : 1)To encourage artists to express Christian concern through their art in an Asian context. 2)To coordinate the activities of individuals and groups in Asian region who are working on indigenous art forms. 3)To provide a means of communication and information. 4)To work with churches, with the Christian Conferences of Asia and with other bodies seeking to witness to Christian faith in Asia. URL:http://www.asianchristianart.org/
"Dialogue"by ASANO Takuji