Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004

Symposium to take up surveillance in society: Kwansei Gakuin University is holding a symposium to discuss issues relating to risk management in advanced information societies at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the International Conference Center Kobe in Chuo Ward.

David Lyon, a professor of sociology at Queen's University, Canada, will give a keynote speech on the theme "Public issues and personal information: risk, fear and safety in surveillance societies," in which he will analyze modern society from the perspective of surveillance, and cast a critical eye on global trends after 9/11.

The speech will be in English, and interpretation in Japanese will be provided.

Lyon will then join three Japanese specialists for a panel discussion.

Admission is free. Reservations are not required.

The venue, also known as Kobe Kokusai Kaigijo, is near Shimin-Hiroba Station on the Port Liner.

For more information, call the organizer at (0798) 54-6655, or the venue at (078) 302-5200.

English discussion in Minoo, Osaka Pref.: The Minoh Association for Global Awareness, a foundation based in Minoo, Osaka Prefecture, will host an English-speaking discussion with a guest from Britain from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the foundation's office.

The session is part of MAFGA's "Danwashitsu" discussion series held seven times a year with the goal of sharing various views and a wide range of knowledge through conversations with non-Japanese residents.

The guest speaker for September is John Flitcroft, an assistant language teacher at Minoh High School, who will speak on his love for canoeing.

Participation costs 500 yen.

For applications and more details, call MAFGA at (072) 727-6912, fax (072) 727-6920 or e-mail info@mafga.or.jp

Guidance consultations for junior high students: An education guidance session for junior high school students from multicultural backgrounds will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at Ogimachi Sogo High School in Kita Ward, Osaka.

The session, designed to provide students and parents with information on options after graduation, will include individual consultations with local high school teachers.

Interpreters will be on hand for speakers of Chinese, English, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Tagalog. Interpreters for other languages can be arranged if requested in advance.

Participants will be required to pay 100 yen for materials.

Reservations are required.

For reservations and more information, call the Center for Multicultural Information and Assistance at (06) 4395-1377 in Japanese (between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday), or call (06) 4395-2424 in other languages (between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday). Faxes can be also sent to (06) 4395-1378 or e-mail to osaka@tabunka.jp

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