Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008

Cultural center slates annual speech contest

The Kobe Cross Cultural Center is seeking competitors for its annual speech contest in English and Japanese to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Maritime Museum Hall in Kobe's Chuo Ward.

This year's theme is "How Will We Face Looming Poverty? — To Lead the Way into a Future of Coexistence and Solidarity."

Applicants can be of any nationality but must be over 16 years old. They will be expected to discuss the topic in both English and Japanese. Speeches can last up to five minutes in each language.

About 10 finalists will be selected among all applicants to give oral presentations on Nov. 23. The first-prize winner will receive a trophy from the mayor of Kobe, a round trip ticket to Cairns and a digital camera.

Those wishing to take part should request an application form from the center. The application form and a tape and transcription of the speech must be submitted to the center by Oct. 25. Full details can be found at kobecrp.at.infoseek.co.jp/speech%204.htm in Japanese and English.

For the application form and more information, contact the organizer at (078) 646-8127, or e-mail kccc@gaea.ocn.ne.jp

Free immigration consultations in works

Nyukan Tetsuzuki Kenkyukai (Immigration Procedure Workshop), based in Higashinari Ward, Osaka, will hold a free consultation session in Tennoji Ward from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 7.

Information and advice on visas and immigration will be given to foreign residents by workshop members in Japanese, Chinese or English. No reservation is required. Admission is free.

The venue is the conference room on the third floor of International House, Osaka, which is a five-minute walk from Uehonmachi Station on the Kintetsu Line, or a 10-minute walk from exit 5 of Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Tanimachi or Sennichimae subway lines.

For more information, contact the organizer at (06) 6977-1501, or visit its Web site at gnk.sakura.ne.jp (available in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese).

SIETAR sets workshop on communications The Kansai Chapter of Society for Intercultural Education, Training, And Research (SIETAR) is organizing a workshop to share materials for intercultural communications in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28.

The workshop is intended for those teaching intercultural communications in Japan. SIETAR Japan members are scheduled to make presentations in English and Japanese to share the educational materials they use in classes.

Admission is ¥500 for SIETAR members and students, and ¥1,000 for nonmembers. No advance reservation is required.

The venue is Seminar Room 2 of Nishinomiya-shi Daigaku Koryu Center, which is a two-minute walk from the north exit of Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station on the Hankyu Kobe Line.

For further information, contact Teresa Cox of the Kansai SIETAR Steering Committee at terryabc@gol.com in English.

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