Jan 2009 Newsletter: Pangaea ring - Mr. Takashi Togami
Mr. Takashi Togami, called Spike, is the Pangaea Writer for this month.
He had completed the Pangaea Facilitator Leader Training in November and
made his debut as a facilitator leader (FL) on December 13, 2008. He is
a responsible and dependable FL in Mie. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Both participants and staff members love working with him.
Hello. My name is Takashi Togami ("spike" is my nickname). I was a FL
at the Pangaea activity held at Mie University in December. It's been
almost two years since I first got involved with Pangaea activities.
I was introduced to Pangaea through professor Takaharu Kameoka, Division of Sustainable Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, where I myself belong to. Ever since my first participation in Pangaea activities, I try to join in Pangaea activities as much as possible because I retain a strong sympathy toward Pangaea activities which "aim to create a 'Universal Playground' for the children all around the world in order for them to create bond with each other regardless of the barriers of the languages, time and space" and that roots to my personal experience of living overseas for many years, where I have gained bitter experiences caused by people's bias, prejudice and racial discrimination.
I was the FL for the Pangaea activity held at Mie University on December 13, 2008. We had no Pangaea core staff at the activity then. If I were to give my feedback from that experience in one word, it would be "difficult". I realized, after the activity, that to take the role of a FL required holding so much broader panoramic view as well as much more capability to make sound decisions than just participate in the activities and dealt with the children as a facilitator. We had ran simulation of the activity a number of times during the course of preparation, yet, we had unexpected happenings at the actual activity. However, I do believe that the activity was quite successful thanks to the suggestions and pieces of advice on my ideas of how to organize the activity given by Mr. Hanada, the Pangaea Office manager, as well as the support and cooperation given from all the facilitators in Mie.
As for the children, they seemed to find it odd at first that I was in the middle of the circle as a leader as I had been standing just by them until the last activity in November. As the activity went along, however, the children soon adjusted to the change and some of them even volunteered to support me. I was very happy.
I believe the role of FL is a tough one which requires facing with a lot of challenges from the stage of preparation until the activity. It is, however, a rewarding role at the same time. You can be creative and innovative in organizing the activities and when you see the activities going successful, you get a feeling of joy that you are actually creating something together with all the children and the facilitators who are participating. I am a 'beginner' as a FL and I do have much more to learn, but I hope to move forward together with the children and the facilitators.
Division of Sustainable Resource Sciences,
Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University
Takashi Togami
I was introduced to Pangaea through professor Takaharu Kameoka, Division of Sustainable Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, where I myself belong to. Ever since my first participation in Pangaea activities, I try to join in Pangaea activities as much as possible because I retain a strong sympathy toward Pangaea activities which "aim to create a 'Universal Playground' for the children all around the world in order for them to create bond with each other regardless of the barriers of the languages, time and space" and that roots to my personal experience of living overseas for many years, where I have gained bitter experiences caused by people's bias, prejudice and racial discrimination.
I was the FL for the Pangaea activity held at Mie University on December 13, 2008. We had no Pangaea core staff at the activity then. If I were to give my feedback from that experience in one word, it would be "difficult". I realized, after the activity, that to take the role of a FL required holding so much broader panoramic view as well as much more capability to make sound decisions than just participate in the activities and dealt with the children as a facilitator. We had ran simulation of the activity a number of times during the course of preparation, yet, we had unexpected happenings at the actual activity. However, I do believe that the activity was quite successful thanks to the suggestions and pieces of advice on my ideas of how to organize the activity given by Mr. Hanada, the Pangaea Office manager, as well as the support and cooperation given from all the facilitators in Mie.
As for the children, they seemed to find it odd at first that I was in the middle of the circle as a leader as I had been standing just by them until the last activity in November. As the activity went along, however, the children soon adjusted to the change and some of them even volunteered to support me. I was very happy.
I believe the role of FL is a tough one which requires facing with a lot of challenges from the stage of preparation until the activity. It is, however, a rewarding role at the same time. You can be creative and innovative in organizing the activities and when you see the activities going successful, you get a feeling of joy that you are actually creating something together with all the children and the facilitators who are participating. I am a 'beginner' as a FL and I do have much more to learn, but I hope to move forward together with the children and the facilitators.
Division of Sustainable Resource Sciences,
Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University
Takashi Togami
Posted by: kumakinoko | 3. Newsletter , 4. Pangaea Ring
