we invited three guest speakers: Mr. Kazuhiko Nishi, Toru Ishida, and Toshio Nagahisa. Between workshops, each lecturer shared his expertise with us. Mr. Nish helped us to analyze and evaluate the work we have done since Pangaea Project started. Mr. Ishida gave us a step-by-step explanation of the Language Grid, which we have avidly utilized to overcome language barriers among our staff members across the world. The first day of our camp went on late into the night due to the intensive timetable. It was around 9 PM when we presented Mr. Nagahisa, one of our board members and also a specialist of international politics, to lecture attendees. Mr. Nagahisa delivered his lecture regarding "the current world views toward Japan" in terms of international relationship. Actually, we were wondering if the late-night lecture would keep the attendees less engaged. In spite of our concerns, they were more attentive than we had expected; they asked as many questions as possible. I was stunned by their attitudes toward learning. After the lectures, the attendees gave me great comments: "Every single lecture was informative and interesting." "I had many 'Ah-Ha moments' during the lecture on the Language Grid." I also received feedback from the guest speakers: "All participants are highly motivated!" They brought a smile to my face, but at the same time, I ironically realized that I am the person who needed those lectures the most.

During the camp, we all attended a variety of workshops, such as "brainstorming workshop" and "role-play workshop," and then shared our "brainpower" to find out better solutions. I am hoping to coordinate our Brain Boot Camp in other countries as well. Plus, I want to put my exhilarating plan, inviting our volunteers from every corner of the globe to join our camp, into action. This is because I learned a crucial lesson from the camp: we need to work not only with our staff members, but with our volunteers, in order to gain diverse perspectives and avenues, enabling us to move forward.

I will post our new challenges coming up in September: We will take a major step forward for an exciting project, launching a new activity site in South Korea, in parallel to hold the Viscuit Workshop for the first time at the MIZY Center. Please send us a big Hooray!

Yumi