Eden E-news: No. 2 | December 2012

Ying-pin Yeh, President of Eden Social Welfare Foundation
at the Foundation's 30th Anniversary on December 1st, 2012
at Greater Taichung International Expo Centre.

Eden Celebrates 30th Anniversary for God’s Grace and Love

 

Eden Social Welfare Foundation hosted a Service of Thanksgiving and a concert for its 30th anniversary at Greater Taichung International Expo Center on December 1st, 2012. More than 2000 participants joined the celebration from all over Taiwan and abroad, lending their support for the spirit of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, which will “Never Give Up” its commitment to serving those in need.

Following the Lord’s Prayer at the opening ceremony, Ying-Pin Yeh, President of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, gives a speech where he invites participants to review with him the history of Eden, whose inception dates back some thirty years ago. Having merely two full-time employees at its initial stage, Eden Social Welfare Foundation has morphed into a community with more than two thousand staff serving over ten thousand households annually. The works of Eden bear witnesses to the will of God. President Yeh encourages the staff of Eden to follow the steps and example of Saint Paul and Ms. Liu Xia, founder of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, to promote Gospel and welfare. He believes that God will send his angels among the government, private sectors, and the Church to serve the staff of Eden as long as they follow the will of God in their works. President Yeh expects Eden to continue to be the vessel of God and a blessing for the ill fortuned in the next thirty years to come. Read more here.

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Ms. Jin-jin Chang (left) talks to student participants about her

own story of success with Eden's career training program for

persons with disabilities.

Walk-A-Thon 2012 with Taipei Adventist American School

 

The 7th annual walk-a-thon for Taipei Adventist American School (TAAS) was held on November 18, 2012. Students have met this year at Taipei City Fulin Elementary School in a joint effort to raise money for disabled and economically disadvantaged persons of Eden Social Welfare Foundation’s Love without Borders Wheelchair Donation Project for Vietnam and Nepal. The proceeds will go to the project and help donate 300 wheelchairs to people with disabilities in the two developing countries.

 

The day of the event saw Ms. Jin-jin Chang and Ms. Hsin-hui Serena Chang, both of whom are staff members at the International and Cross-Strait Affairs Center of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, introduce to TAAS students, faculty members, and parents the work of Eden and Ms. Jin-Jin Chang’s personal testimony of her story of success at Eden’s career training program for persons with disabilities. The program helped render her economically independent and capable of standing on her own feet throughout the years. Ms. Jin-jin Chang also thanked TAAS for having the fundraiser, which helps disabled persons living in the developing world acquire their own wheelchairs, with which they are able to access education and career training that change their lives. Read more here.

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Unseen: an Extraordinary Photography Exhibition

 

Alicia Neo, a Singaporean visual artist in residence at Bamboo Curtain Studio in Taipei, is hosting a photographic exhibition, titled “Unseen,” at Ai-Ming Center with 6 participants with visual impairments from Eden Social Welfare Foundation.

 

Having joined Ms. Neo in a one-on-one workshop on photography, the six participants are encouraged to utilize photography as their new way of expression. Some are even encouraged to retrieve their memory of certain images in their works.

 

The workshop not only provides participants with the opportunity to acquire the basic skills in photography but encourages them to develop a new identity for themselves which they share with the general public their potential and the diversity among individuals in their community.

 

Venue of Exhibition:
Ai-Ming Centre
130, Guangquan Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 220
Dates of Exhibition: Dec. 3, 7, 14, 17, 24, 28, 31
Opening hours: 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00

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Eden Advocates for a Mine-free World with International Campaign to Ban Landmines at Geneva, Switzerland

Right to left: Serena Chang, Section Chief of Eden Social Welfare Foundation
International and Cross-Strait Affairs Center, Sylvie Brigot, Executive
Director of ICBL-CMC, Jacqueline Hansen, Program Manager of Landmine
and Cluster Munition Monitor, Muteber Ögreten, ICBL Campaigner from the
Initiative for a Mine Free Turkey, and Ms. Hansen's son, at the 20th
Anniversary of Internatinal Campaign to Ban Landmines at Geneva

From 3-7 December, 2012, Eden Social Welfare Foundation joined International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) campaigners and landmine survivors from nearly 40 countries at the opening of the Twelfth Meeting of States Parties (12MSP) to the Mine Ban Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, to call on governments to commit to eradicating antipersonnel landmines in years, not decades.

 

The 12MSP begins 15 years to the day after the Mine Ban Treaty was opened for signature in Ottawa in 1997 where it was signed by 122 states. “Twenty years after we began the international campaign and 15 years after achieving the Mine Ban Treaty, we are close to global acceptance of the landmine ban, and we are closing in on a mine-free world. Now we need to finish the job to ensure landmines don’t claim any more limbs and lives,” said Nobel peace laureate Jody Williams at the meeting. Read more here.

 

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Capacity Building Services to be Developed in Haiti by Eden

From left to right: Claire Perrin Houdon, Coordinator of
Handicap International, Cosy Samuel, Administrative
Director of Centre national de défense des démunis et
handicapés, and John Bosco Kuang (center), Director of
Eden Social Welfare Foundation International Affairs
Center with volunteers from Centre national de défense des
démunis et handicapés

Having visited Haiti and assessed the needs of persons with disabilities affected by the earthquake in 2010, Eden Social Welfare Foundation returns to the country this November for another visit assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

 

This year, by signing the Agreement on Developing and Strengthening Haitian Associations to Improve the Socio-economic Inclusion of People with Disabilities with Eden Social Welfare Foundation and MOFA, Handicap International (HI), an internationally renowned NPO based in France and Belgium, has agreed to launch training programs for volunteers at Centre national de défense des démunis et handicapés (CNDDH), a local NGO in Haiti. The programs, supported and monitored by Eden Social Welfare Foundation and MOFA, will help persons with disabilities in Haiti rebuild their lives after the earthquake. The agreement grants a total of US$100,000 to HI for related projects. Read more here.

 

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Spreading Love to Japan to Support the Reconstruction Work after the Earthquake!

On 3/11, a heavy earthquake happened in Japan, it caused lots of people died or injured. Eden believes "The right person does the right things!" We truly welcome you to support the Japanese organization "Workability Japan" to help the victims with disabilities to recover early from this disaster.

Please contact us to know more about our project and support Japan!

TEL: +886-2-2230-7715#169

送愛到日本 邀您一塊捐款助重建

日本311東北大地震，為日本東北帶來空前的災難，現在災區仍在驚恐中，多處居民被迫遷移，甚至對外交通受阻，急待更多的協助。

    伊甸相信「對的人，做對的事情」，而透過在地組織的協助，才能提供即時且適宜的服務；透過Workability  Japann（簡稱W-J）日本國際工作組織(註1)合作，籌募經費將提供庇護工場、安養中心災後復原服務及中途致殘者生活、職業重建工作。

(註1) Workability  Japan日本國際工作組織，由日本一千多個身心障礙團體會員，主要是協助及促進身心障礙職業重建的服務。

    在臺灣921、莫拉克重災時，W-J日本國際工作組織也在第一時間援助臺灣，協助重建的工作。因此，伊甸基金會發起「日本震災」專案，回饋日本組織的捐款與愛心，更為災區這些流離失所災民提供幫助。對震後的災民來說，面對災後破毀的家園，他們需要更多的協助與支持，來面對未來重建的工作，為此，伊甸邀請您一起捐款支持！

    有你的加入，我們就能像象群一樣，以集體力量、不分彼此照顧這些弱小者的精神，圈起一座堅固堡壘。把愛、快樂與分享的能量傳遞給這些災後的家庭。

伊甸基金會捐助專線：0800-025885捐款帳號：05793779 劃撥戶名：伊甸社會福利基金會，請註明「日本震災」專案

Entries Extended to Nov 20, 2010 - IYV+10 Volunteer Video Competition

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of Volunteers (IYV +10), we are inviting volunteers and volunteer-involving organization to submit creative short (30-60 second) videos showing their visions for how to make the world a better place through volunteering.

The year 2011 will be the tenth anniversary of the UN International Year of Volunteers. Known as “IYV+10” the anniversary should be another important milestone in the development of global volunteering, and the international volunteer movement. 

In the decade since the United Nations launched the International Year of Volunteers in 2001, at the global level, there have been a number of important advancements in the field of volunteerism: every one of the billions of people, who gives up their time to volunteer, becomes part of a grand movement that is much bigger than the sum of the parts.

To celebrate IYV+10, we are calling on young volunteers, or young volunteer teams, to create short films that advertise the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. Your video can show your volunteer work, your motivations for volunteering, your hopes and visions for 2011, it can inspire other people to volunteer, or any number of other things.

★ Contest Entry, Video Theme, and Contestants
 

Contest Entry Deadline: November 20, 2010（registration form postage date）

Video Theme: "Volunteering to Change the World" (also the theme of the IAVE World Volunteer Conference 2011 in Singapore)

Contestants: Youth volunteers (aged 30 or below), or volunteer-involving teams with at least one youth member.

For further information, please visit http://iave.org/video

Any questions or comments? Please email at video@iave.org

★ Organizers: IAVE International Resource Center / IAVE Taiwan ★

★ Sponsors: National Youth Commission of the Executive Yuan, Taiwan / IAVE ★

★ Supporting Organizations: NYC Taipei Youth Volunteer Center ★

國際志工協會 IYV+10 志工短片創作比賽

從一個念頭，產生一個行動；從一個陌生人，變成一群家人；身為志工的你／妳，可曾真正意識到，透過志願服務，自己對改變這個世界所貢獻的價值？

自聯合國宣布2001年為國際志工年（International Year of Volunteers, IYV）的這十年間，超過120個國家共同響應；由全球37個國家志願服務的統計資料顯示，共動員了超過一億四千萬名志工，共同做出了超過四千億美元經濟效益的貢獻。

將你的志工行動化為一部短片，將你的志工大家庭介紹給全世界 -

為慶祝聯合國國際志工年十週年（the UN International Year of Volunteers plus Ten, IYV+10），我們邀請全球青年志工、志工組織創作30-60秒長度的短片，以「志願服務 – 改變世界的力量」為創作主題，和全世界分享你／妳投入志願服務的行動與感動，以及對下一個 IYV+10 的期盼與鼓勵；同時，藉由你／妳的短片分享，號召更多的友伴參與、創造全球志願服務的奇蹟！

如果你的短片獲得全球網友一致喜愛而名列全球Top20，如果你的創作理念連國際評審都感動到非得親自見你一面，你將贏得免費前往新加坡參加2011年IAVE青年志工大會的機會，拓展你的志工人脈，同時與全球志工一同歡慶IYV+10！

主辦單位：國際志工協會國際資源中心／台灣志願服務國際交流協會

徵件主題：「志願服務 – 改變世界的力量」（Volunteering to Change the World）

徵件日期：即日起，至2010年11月20日（郵戳為憑）

參賽資格：

30歲（含）以下之全球青年志工，或至少有一位青年參與之志工社團、志工組織、企業／政府志工團隊。

報名方式：

每位參賽者或團隊可上傳1部以上的影片參賽。

詳細的報名方式及報名表，請至IAVE.org或下列活動網址查詢、下載。

活動網址：

中文：http://www.iave.org/zh-hant/video/chi

English：http://iave.org/video

IAVE IYV+10 宣傳影片：

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sfkr5RIwGw&feature=player_embedded

聯絡方式：

若有任何比賽相關問題，歡迎 Email 至：video@iave.org；或致電：(02)3322-3167，趙小姐。

The New Inclusive Park "Morgan's Wonderland"!!

The promotion of barrier-free travel is one of the important things done by Eden! We are happy to recommend our friends the new inclusive park called "Morgan's Wonderland"!

Morgan’s Wonderland is located in San Antonio, Texas. It is the World’s First Ultra Acessible Family Fun Park designed specifically for children and adults with special needs, their family members, caregivers, friends and the entire community. This 25-acre park is a unique oasis, that through the spirit of inclusion, allows people of all abilities to play, learn and share life changing experiences together, in a fun and safe environment.

Morgan's Wonderland - Special Needs Park, San Antonio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ho_PD8m2YQ

Come and Join us to promote the spirit of INCLUSION!! 

Source: Morgan's Wonderland   http://www.morganswonderland.com/

Have FUN in Hualien, Taiwan!!

In this early March we went to Hualien for the exploration of the accessible tourism. Hualien is such a beautiful place which must not be missed in Taiwan!! Let's take a look!!

The view of the Chungte Recreational Area in Hualien.

The clear blue water of the Shakadang Trail in the Taroko National Park.

Our cute co-workers in Shakadang Trail!

All of our co-workers taking a picture in National Dong Hua University.

Our beautiful crazy!!

Lintienshan Forestry Cultural Park (Molisaca)

Flower Boys!!

The gorgeous view in Chihsing Tan.

Welcome to Taiwan!!!

Passing the message of hope and love through music: Concert for Morakot Survivors in Ali

    On Saturday 5 December 2009, Eden Social Welfare Foundation held an early Christmas celebration event for Tsou tribal groups residing in Ali Mountain area in Chiayi County. This event, joined by churches in Tainan and Taipei, was aimed to share love and hope to the typhoon survivors through music, dances and child counseling activities.
    The event was supported by Wrigley Global Giving Fund through American Give2Asia Foundation. Eden has received a donation of USD100,000 from Wrigley Global Giving Fund to engage in a series of post-disaster reconstruction projects, including services for children with special needs, child education, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens living alone.

Road to the Tsou tribal groups was covered
by mud and stone. The rugged paths still need
to be repaired

On the church square, Chorus from Taipei
Daan Presbyterian Church sang for survivals.

Pastor prayed for the Tsou aboriginals.
Resident touched their heads while receiving
the blessing from the pastor.

With the guidance of a psychological therapist, children released their fear after the disaster through drawing.

Santa sent children small Christmas gifts.








      The Give2asia initiative is to promote the participation of US society to Asia's charity work. The G2A scope contains more than 20 countries in Asia. Its ideal not only eliminates the international hedge of donation between countries, but provides American donors reliable information about Asian NPOs to facilitate the accountability of donation. G2A cooperates with Eden Social Welfare Foundation to address the needs of those affected by Typhoon Morakot. As Eden’s local service centers in southern Taiwan are located in the typhoon affected afrea, Eden is able to access and evaluate the need of disadvantage households and to ensure the sponsored recovery services are efficient.

    Eden Social Welfare Foundation has been engaging in the field of international development for more than 10 years .In 1991, Eden supported the establishment of the sister organization in Malaysia, with a vision to advance the disability rights of the country. In 2005, Eden established overseas service center in Vietnam, serving Taiwanese new immigrants and their original families and people with disabilities. In 2008 the Sichuan earthquake, Eden involved in reconstruction work. We donated assistive devices to local disabilities and recruited Taiwanese rehabilitation therapists to treat patients in the earthquake-affected area.

    Eden Social Welfare Foundation believes that, we need to fulfill our duties as a world citizen in a global cooperation era. The warm supports around the world for our post-Morokot reconstruction project strongly encourage us to continue our work, both domestically and abroad. We believe that the spirit of international cooperation would eventually rebuild communities once broken.

伊甸基金會捐贈菲律賓殘障工具

我國駐菲律賓劉副代表姍姍於1月23日下午代表伊甸社會福利基金會捐贈菲律賓社會福利發展部（DSWD）輪椅、腋下拐及導盲杖等物資予貧寒殘疾人士，由菲律賓社會福利社會福利部長Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral代表接受，該部次長及重要幹部亦出席此一捐贈儀式。

伊甸基金會曾於2007年1月捐贈56部輪椅予菲律賓社福部，這次又捐出65部輪椅、150對柺杖以及10之導盲杖；菲律賓社福部部長代表菲律賓人民向伊甸基金會致謝，同時提到我國數次提供的人道援助，都讓菲律賓人民充分感受到來自台灣的溫暖與關懷。

來源:外交部 NGO 國際事務委員會

迴紋針男凱爾麥唐諾Dom的房子，跟你交換！

是的，我是迴紋針男凱爾麥唐諾，我跟我老婆決定要把用迴紋針換到的這棟房子，放在奇集集Kijiji網站上跟你交換! 我們沒有設定要換到什麼或要跟誰交換，歡迎大家提出任何有趣的提議! 請你刊登一則要交換的廣告在 「迴紋針男的房子」這個類別下，內容請寫中英文

這棟房子非常適合跟以下的人交換： - 有興趣住在這房子或用它來做生意的人 - 了解這棟房子是Kipling的觀光景點，並對這裡的居民有重要的意義

如果你想跟我以物易物換到這房子，請快行動吧! 我是說真的，我沒有什麼預設條件，任何的東西都有可能換到這個房子!

That's right, Dom and I are trading the red paperclip house. With who? For what? Well that's where things get interesting: We have no idea yet. I'm not looking for anything in particular in exchange for the house, it would be great to trade with somebody who: -Plans to live or operate a business in the house. -Understands the house is a tourist attraction in Kipling, and important to the community.

Really, I'm looking for nothing in particular, just to make a trade and see where this goes. So if you have anything you'd like to offer in exchange for the house, and I mean anything, be sure to send in your offer!

以下是這棟房子的詳細介紹: Details about the red paperclip house: Located at 503 Main Street in Kipling Saskatchewan Canada Fully furnished. Two floors + basement Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Refinished hardwood floors. Fridge, stove, sinks, drawers, shelves...all the regular kitchen stuff. Electricity! Large grass front yard + large grass backyard. Gas hot water tank + gas furnace. close proximity to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, hospital, etc. Kipling has most services in town. Giant red paperclip on the front lawn. located a stone's throw away from the world's largest red paperclip.

這則文章引用奇集集Kijiji免費分類廣告.

台大AIESCE參訪伊甸基金會心得

伊甸基金會對我們來說真是個充滿驚奇的地方。和其他的社福團體的感覺有些不同，特別親切 ^ ^兩次的諮詢都比原先預期的得到太多東西了。 針對新移民這個議題的本身，除了我們事前閱讀的資料，今天和基金會的工作人員的交流，藉著他們實際與新移民接觸的經驗，具像化了我們對字裡行間許多描述的想像，更加深了想關懷這個議題的熱情。媒體，對社福團體來說真像是雙面刃，如果沒有媒體的曝光，很難引起大眾注意，但媒體往往選擇了他們認為"值得報導"的素材加以放大，把社會現象描寫成社會問題是他們的專長，傷害總在他們有意無意的操控中造成。如何正面，快速，有效率的推廣新移民的議題，的卻值得深思。 謝謝伊甸，相信在未來的一年我們將因為和伊甸的交流與合作寫下生命中難以忘懷的一頁。

國際人才研習計劃專員 余宜家

國際新聞－印度版Vogue 消費窮人

印度版Vogue 消費窮人 更新日期:2008/09/02 04:18 紐約時報報導，8月號的印度版Vogue雜誌用衣衫襤褸的窮人當模特兒，展示名牌包包和配件，引起印度輿論撻伐，也暴露奢侈品在貧富懸殊的印度拓展市場的窘境。 一位缺了門牙的老婦人抱著一個小孩，老婦人穿著粗布衣，但小孩身上竟圍了一件Fendi的圍兜，零售價約100美元（台幣3000元）。 一家三口擠在一輛機車上，母親沒戴安全帽，卻拎了一只愛瑪仕（Hermes）柏金包（Birkin bag），一般售價逾一萬美元（台幣30萬元）。 在另一場景，一位缺牙、打赤腳的男人，拿了一把Burberry雨傘，售價約200美元（台幣6000元）。 Vogue雜誌刊出16頁的名牌包、鑲珠寶的手拿包和象徵身分地位的雨傘，卻沒有找職業模特兒或買得起這些配件的有錢人當模特兒，而是找一般市井小民入鏡。 印度「今日郵報」專欄作家康妮卡．加勞特寫到：「這種作法不僅俗氣，而且品味低下。」她接受電話訪問說，讓住在泥土屋裡的窮人穿上亞歷山大．麥昆（Alexander McQueen）設計的衣服，「一點也不有趣」、「印度有很多農民因欠債自殺。」 印度版Vogue總編輯普莉亞．唐納為雜誌辯護說：「放輕鬆點。」她說，Vogue明白時尚的力量，這些照片要傳達的是，「時尚不再是富人的專利，人人都能追求時尚穿出美麗」。根據世界銀行上周的資料，近半數，約4.56億的印度人，每天生活費不到1.25美元（台幣40元）。如何在仍有很多人挨餓的國家，促銷一只1000美元（台幣3萬元）的包包？Vogue的作法恐怕會踢到鐵板。 本則新聞由聯合新聞網提供 2008/09/02

In Memory of Mr. Ichiro Maruyama – A True Fighter for People with Disabilities

Mr. Maruyama was the Secretary General of WI Asia (Workability International Asia), he founded the Regional NGO Network (RNN) to promote the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities 1993-2002. Among his countless contributions, one of the most outstanding achievements was to start the training courses on rehabilitation of persons with disabilities which were implemented while he was working as an expert officer in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 1985. Mr. Maruyama devoted his whole life for people with disabilities in assisting them to realize their potential, making effective governmental policies and inspiring the creation of disability networks not only in Japan but in the region and in the world. Mr. Maruyama (middle), WI-Asia Regional Mr. Maruyama (back row, 2nd from the left), Meeting in Taiwan, 2006 WI-Asia Conference in Seoul, 2007Condolence from Eden Social Welfare FoundationThere are no words to adequately describe the sadness we felt upon hearing of the loss of Mr. Maruyama. He always guided us and supported us in every occasion since the first day we met him. His dedication, commitment and all efforts to the PWDs, which were deeply, inspired many of us here and even beyond all political and beneficial conflicts. Therefore, whenever we meet challenges in moving forward of our work, we think about the model Mr. Maruyama had set up for us and encouraged us to keep walking and look forward.We prayed hard for Mr. Maruyama’s health since the day we heard about his health condition. We fought with Mr. Maruyama together for against with cancer however we have to let God to take Mr. Maruyama gone to have the eternal rest with Him from all sufferings and pains, although it is so hard for any of us to say Goodbye to Mr. Maruyama. The great model he had set up for all followers will always leading us to continue the commitment and efforts he had contributed to all people with disabilities. Everyone in Eden Social Welfare Foundation joins together in sending our prayers and wholehearted condolences to Mr. Maruyama’s family. With all our sympathies,Huang Cho SungChief Executive Director, CEOEden Social Welfare FoundationOn December 5th, 2007, Ichiro Maruyama received the Special Masao Ogura Award from the Yamato Welfare Foundation. This is the English translation of his acceptance speech at the Award Ceremony.I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your presence today. I have been under treatment since last April when a malignant tumor was discovered. As you can see, nutrients are being injected intravenously. I am not entirely sure, and therefore I feel a bit shy, when I wonder if my work is worthy of receiving the award in the name of the late Mr. Masao Ogura. However, I decided to accept it with a tremendous sense of gratitude for the kindness of so many people. I am particularly happy to do so also because I can share this honor with my wife, and the entire family, who have been going through a very difficult time for all these years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. With your permission, I would like to have my son read my speech as I easily get tired and am unable to sustain my voice.It was in 1964, 43 years ago when I was still a college student and participated in the Tokyo Paralympics as a volunteer interpreter under the auspices of the Japanese Red Cross. Japanese athletes were all sent either from the hospitals or shelters and institutions where they were treated as patients. None of them had jobs. No one even thought they could be employable. Contrary to this, the athletes from the West were all ordinary working people in their respective society. We learnt that even those with severe disabilities were full members of society working in various kinds of jobs. Compared to where they came from, they told us, the Japanese environment for the people with disabilities (PWDs) was at least 30 to 50 years behind. At the Japanese team wrap party, the athletes were happy and proud that they could participate in the wonderful world that celebrated humanity. At the same time, however, they were all in tears with the thought of having to go back to their lives of no hope.　The difference between Japanese society and that of the West’s was staggering. I was aghast at the misery of Japanese conditions.I chose “Disability and Productivity” as the theme of my graduation thesis. While organizing volunteer groups to assist Paralympics athletes toward their employment, I researched the working conditions and situations of the PWDs who were not employed in a true sense. I visited the workshop in Hakone (*the remote mountainous area of Kanagawa) for disabled veterans. There were only a few workshops in Tokyo and Kanagawa area. At these facilities, people were engaged in menial work and they all had gloomy and sad expressions on their faces. At the Tokyo Colony, they lived in partitioned passenger cars no longer used by the Japan Railway. Their meals were left over foods from the hospitals. How moved I was at the sight of recovering tuberculosis patients such as Mr. Kazuoki Shirabe who were trying to create places of employment on their own. The patients hovered over mimeograph machines on their beds. Furthermore, I had an opportunity to visit the athletes in the United States and Europe who participated in the Tokyo Paralympics at the places of their employment. Through this trip, I came to understand such fundamental approaches towards disability as distinctions between rehabilitation and employment programs and creations of an inclusive social environment where everyone, PWDs included, could live together harmoniously. I witnessed many people with severe disabilities, for whom open employment was hard to obtain, enjoying their work at the Goodwill Industries and Abilities in the United States. I was encouraged by watching many European athletes working in the program under the special assistance employment policy such as Remploy in the UK.Japan’s situation, so far behind the West, seemed absolutely hopeless. At the same time, however, I thought: if the West could achieve this much, Japan should be able to do so too. A report of my study tour in the West was presented to Mr. Yutaka Nakamura, Head of the Japanese team at the Paralympics. My proposal was to build a modern factory, not tiny shops for menial jobs. Thus, I joined the fund raising activities to build what was later to become “Japan Sun Industries.” In its original Japanese, Mr. Tsutomu Mizukami (author/novelist) named it as "Taiyo no Ie" (meaning "the House of Sun"). While he decided to use the word "Ie" (meaning "house" or "home") with special thoughts in his heart for persons with disabilities, the word "Industries" was chosen for translation for its English version of the name. After graduating from the university, I wasted no time in joining the Japan Sun Industries located in Beppu, Kyushu. I wanted to put what I learnt at the university like plant design, quality control and motion study into practical use. In retrospect, I was totally engrossed and inspired. The first production was bamboo crafts. Three years later, when we became a part supplier for the Sharp Corporation, we were ecstatic. Unlike anywhere else, the Japan Sun Industries continues its operations to date by employing more than 1,100 PWDs who manufacture products for the affiliated major companies like Omron, Sony, Honda, Mitsubishi Corporation and Fujitsu. Behind this progress lies tremendous efforts by able administrators like Mr. Yoshihiro Ikata and PWDs who came to work from all over Japan. Forty-three years has passed since the Tokyo Paralympics. I was fortunate to have been guided by wonderful leaders and mentors like Messrs. Kazuoki Shirabe, Hajime Ogawa and Kenji Itayama. I was also lucky to have had capable friends and colleagues in and out of Japan. Together with them, I had opportunities to work in all kinds of disability related issues; to name a few, vocational rehabilitation, promotion of employment and work, welfare factory management, development of diversified forms of work, environment improvement movements, promotion of measures to help PWDs, and development of human resources as well as employment in Asia. I am delighted to be in the company of Mr. Akiyoshi Yamada today as a fellow recipient of the award. He and I go back a long ways, from the days when we worked together to widen the PWDs’ living environment. If I may humbly say, I made a small contribution as a liaison to coordinate activities among many disability organizations that exist in Japan to promote international cooperation. It was a great pleasure for me that all these disability related activities and experiences enabled me to act as a public relations person during the United Nation’s International Year of Disabled Persons and to make various program proposals as a welfare officer during my years in the Japanese government.Much progress has been made in the intervening years. We provided information to enhance public awareness and to call the political attentions towards disability issues. We made coordinated efforts among different organizations and movements. All these efforts are attributed to the introduction of the Basic Pension Program・Special Allowance for PWDs. We were very happy that the income security for PWDs was improved and their lives were drastically changed for the better. We were proud of the big step forward Japan made. The entire nation accepted the responsibility of bearing the necessary costs to create a harmonious Japanese society. We also saw it as Japan’s concrete contribution by being an exemplary model for the rest of Asia. By furthering the progress made thus far, we had high expectations that additional steps forward would lead to the solutions of many remaining problems. To move from “Full participation and Equality” to “Society for All” was a goal set by the United Nations to eradicate disability problems. With regards to development, Japan was behind the West by 50 years. But efforts and resulting improvement helped minimize the gap.However, this hopeful development was arrested. Making an entire society harmonious is the fundamental key in addressing disability issues. Our perseverance stopped making further inroads in the shadow of the weakening social security resulting from the countries’ fiscal crisis. Now, I would even say it has regressed. People who live in the most difficult conditions are excluded in the debate on social security as a whole. The debate circumvents the notion of what the fundamental idea of a harmonious society is or should be. Set the goal whereby persons with severe disabilities can lead a normal social life. It will bring the benefits to everyone in our society. I wish to reactivate our efforts once again to have all the sectors of society to have a greater understanding of this. How I wish to bring back our energy that gave birth to the Disability Basic Pension!On the employment front, persons with disabilities - and therefore with low productivity - are dealt with under the welfare programs. They continue to be excluded from the measures under the employment policy. The International Labor Organization’s recommendation made more than 50 years ago was that PWDs be included in the employment policy. The representation we submitted to the ILO recently sends a message to the government, and entire society, which includes businesses, labor unions, and social welfare operators. We cannot and should not acquiesce any longer.My days are numbered, but I urge that a coalition be formed so that they can carry on what has been started and work toward solving problems. I feel Mr. Ogura, with this award, is going after me not to give up our struggle till the end. Thank you again, ladies and gentlemen. I am much honoredIchiro Maruyama Japanese Version

第8回ヤマト福祉財団小倉昌男　特別賞　受賞日本障害者協議会　副代表埼玉県立大学　保健医療福祉学部社会福祉学科教授　丸山　一郎　氏受賞のことば本日はお越しくだされ誠にありがとうございます。この4月に腫瘍が見つかり療養中でありまして、ご覧のように栄養を中心静脈の点滴でしております。この度のこと、私がしてきましたことが、小倉昌男さんの賞に値するのかお恥ずかしいところがありますが、本当に多くの皆様のご厚情に感謝しあり難く頂くことにしました。ことに大変な苦労をかけてきました妻や家族に少しは報えるかと喜んでおります。皆様誠にありがとう御座いました。疲れで声が止まりますので、息子にメモを代読させますことをお許しください。約40年まえの1964年、私の学生のときです。日本赤十字社の通訳ボランティアとして参加した「東京パラリンピック」では、目を見張る激しいスポーツをする日本の選手はすべて病人か患者として扱われ、病院と収容施設から来ておりました。働いている人は誰一人としていませんでした、働けると思っている人もいませんでした。一方、欧米の選手はすべてが普通の社会人で、かなりの重い障害のある人でも、さまざまな職業につき社会に参加していることが解りました。欧米からの参加者は、障害のある人びとを取り巻く日本の状況を、彼らの社会からみて少なくとも30年から50年は遅れていると言いました。日本選手の解団式では、人間賛歌の素晴らしい世界大会にでられた歓びの反面、明日からまた全く希望のない生活に戻ることを想い、皆泣いていました。私は、彼我の社会的に大きなギャップと日本人の惨めな状況に愕然としたのです。パラリンピックの選手たちの就職支援をボランテｲアグループで取り組みながら、私は卒業論文で「障害と生産性」をテーマにして、雇用されない障害のある人々の働く状況を調べました。箱根の傷痍軍人の授産場、東京・神奈川の数少ない授産施設での内職仕事では人々は暗い表情で働いていました。東京コロニーでは、国鉄払い下げの客車を区切って住み、病院の残飯を食べ、ベッドの上でガリ版印刷をしながら職場を自分たちの力で作ろうとしている調一興さんたち結核回復者の姿に特に衝撃を受けました。さらに、欧米からの選手の実際の職場を訪ねることが出来、リハビリテーションと雇用施策の違いと、ともに生きる社会環境をつくることや、根本的な障害に関する考え方を知るのです。特に、一般雇用されることの困難な重い障害のある人々の多くが、米国グッドウィルインダストリイーやアビリティーズで楽しく働く姿を見、ヨーロッパの選手の多くが英国のレンプロイのような、特別支援の雇用政策の下で働いているのを知り勇気づけられました。日本の遅れは絶望的に思えましたが、他面、欧米で進められたことは日本でも実現できるはずだとも考えました。パラリンピックの団長であった中村裕先生に、欧米での状況を報告し、内職や零細作業所でなく近代的な工場を作るべきと提言し、後の‘太陽の家’の建設募金運動に参加しました。“家”と当時の障害のある人への想いから水上勉さんがつけたのですが、英文名はJapan Sun “Industries”としたのです。　卒業後、工場計画や品質管理、動作研究を勉強したことが役立つかも知れないとも思い、九州別府に飛び込んでゆきました、無我夢中であったようです。竹細工から始めながら、三年目にシャープに部品納入を実現できたときは大歓声を上げました。現在の太陽の家は、伊方博義さんのような優れた実務家や全国から集まった障害のある人の頑張りにより、他には類のない、オムロン、ソニー、ホンダ、三菱商事、デンソー、富士通などの大企業と提携した1100人を超える障害のある人の雇用就労を継続しています。東京パラリンピックから43年がたちますが、私は、調一興、小川孟、板山賢治さんなどの先輩である良き師に指導をうけ、頼もしい仲間を全国にまた世界各国に得て、職業リハビリテーションと雇用就労の促進、福祉工場の経営と多様な就労方式の開発、環境改善運動、障害者施策の促進、アジアの働く場づくりと人材養成などに係わる機会を与えられました。本日一緒に受賞するという嬉しいことになった山田昭義さんとも生活圏拡大運動からの古いお付き合いです。特に国内の多くの障害関係団体の活動をつなぐ役、国際的な協力すすめる役割を少しは果たせたのではないかと思っております。障害のある人々との運動体験を基本にして、国際障害者年のPR担当、福祉専門官として様々な施策の提案ができたことも大きな歓びでした。この間に確かに多くの前進がありました。　私が係わることが出来た、情報提供などを通しての障害問題の理解促進、政治的関心の喚起、当事者運動との調整などの成果として、基礎年金制度・特別障害者手当が創設され、障害のある人々の所得保障が改善され、多くの障害のある人々の生活が一変したことは大きな喜びでした。ともに生きるということにむけて、日本社会が必要な費用を国民全体が負担することを了承した大きな前進だと誇りに思ったものです。アジアへの日本の具体的貢献ができたとも思いました。これらを徹底して、もう一歩を進める事が出来れば解決できそうだと期待がもてました。国連は障害問題のテーマを｢完全参加と平等｣から｢総ての人の社会｣へと進めましたが、50年の遅れは縮まったのではと思えたのです。しかし、障害問題が社会全体をよくすることの基本であるとの共生社会への理解は、財政危機にともなう社会保障削減の動きのなかで進展がとまりました。今や逆行しているとさえ思えます。社会保障全体の論議に、最も生活に困難を抱える人々の問題への取り組みが回避されています。共生社会の根本が決断されていません。重度障害のある人々が当たり前の社会生活が出来るところに目標をおけば、総ての人の利益につながることを、社会の総ての分野が根本的に理解することをもう一度努力できればと願うものです。障害基礎年金を誕生させた国民全体の動きを再現したいのです。雇用に関しても、本当に職業的に障害のある人々、生産性低い人々は、福祉施策の対象とされ雇用政策から排除されたままです。このことは50年以上も前にILOが勧告をしていることなのです。この度行ったILOへの申し立ては、企業、労働組合、社会福祉事業者、そして政府など社会全体への問題提起です。これ以上見過ごしてはなりません。余命は短いのですが、問題解決への協力体制づくりの働きかけを続けて、次に引継いで貰いたいと存じます。今回の受賞は小倉さんが最後までしっかりやれとハッパをかけてくださったのでありましょう。皆様に心から御礼申し上げます、本当にありがとうございました。