On November 11th (Sunday), one year and eight months after the earthquake, two students from Department of Co-existing Society Studies took part in the second section of the "Reconstruction Support Symposium: Talking About the Great East Japan Earthquake," a panel discussion titled "The Support Needed Now," held at Suzuka University of Medical Science in Mie Prefecture.
Suzuka University of Medical Science offered assistance to Wakabayashi Ward in Sendai City in the early stages of the earthquake, which led to the organization of the "Rokugo-Nanago Community Network." Furthermore, seven students from the university volunteered at the "Reconstruction Support Lions Sports Festival" held in May of this year, and interacted with students from our university.
One of the seminar students, Kota Hanzawa, presented a report titled "Forming Connections Through Support Activities," in which he pointed out the importance of continuing "invisible support," such as "not forgetting that there are people who are still dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake," as a sense of personal responsibility fades in the affected areas as time passes since the disaster.
Furthermore, Sayuri Watanabe gave a presentation titled "Changes the Earthquake Brought to Student Life," in which she shared her experiences as an earthquake relief volunteer and a study tour to Cambodia, emphasizing the importance of building diverse relationships through volunteer work and the existence of people, both domestically and internationally, who are facing unique forms of suffering.
Speaking at a symposium at another university, especially one attended by many members of the general public, was an invaluable experience for the two students. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Suzuka University of Medical Science for creating this opportunity.