[4/26 (Sun) Tokyo] A Journey to Syria, a Land of Tourism, and a Record of War: What We Can Do for the Future

■ Beyond "visible" aid: The challenge taken on by a Syrian support NGO.

When you hear the words "international cooperation," what kind of scene comes to mind?

Delivering food, building schools—of course, these are essential for sustaining life. At Piece of Syria, we have operated kindergartens and schools, repaired school buildings, and provided education and emotional care to over 50,000 Syrian children. Now, we are proposing a new challenge: reclaiming pride in the future through the "power of culture" that lies beyond visible aid. Syria is a country with a rich culture, where cities have held pride for thousands of years, and many people say that "diversity is what makes Syria, Syria." Rather than just lamenting the history that has been destroyed, we want to polish it back up as a "shared treasure" and turn it into a catalyst for dialogue.

Culture is the strongest thread that can reconnect people and weave a peace that will never be broken again. Together with a Syrian cultural heritage researcher, an NPO representative who loves Syria dearly, and all of you who participate, we want to find that new form of peace.

■ Three highlights of the event

【Immersive Experience】 Time travel through VR and 3D imagery
Experience the beautiful cityscapes of Syria (Before) and their appearance after the conflict (After). We are preparing a new Syrian experience, using 3D imagery created in collaboration with the University of Tokyo's Watanabe Lab from footage sent from the field, to help you perceive what is often seen as "news from a distant country" as "a place that is important to you."

【Special Guest】 A researcher specializing in the protection of Syrian cultural heritage
Masashi Abe from the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties will take the stage. He will unravel how "protecting culture" specifically leads to the future and peace.

【Dialogue and Empathy】 From "pity" to "creating together"
Instead of just listening to a one-sided talk, participants will discuss what we can do together. You don't need to be an expert in international cooperation. Your "sensibility" will become someone's strength.

■ Recommended for those who:

・Are interested in "peace" or "international cooperation" but feel unsure about what they can specifically do.
・Love to travel and want to touch upon the cultures, histories, and "pride" of lands around the world.
・Want to think about social issues from the perspective of "community development," such as education, cultural heritage, and regional revitalization.
・Want to experience a new form of peace education.
・Want to think while engaging in dialogue and hearing various opinions, rather than just listening to a one-sided lecture.

■ Event Overview

【Date and Time】 April 26, 2026 (Sun) 14:00 – 17:00 (Networking session 17:00 – 17:40)
【Venue】 JICA Tokyo (approx. 8-minute walk from Hatagaya Station)
【Participation Fee】 Free
【Capacity】 100 people (First-come, first-served basis; please apply early!)

■ Speaker Profiles

Guest Lecturer:
Masashi Abe (Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, National Institutes for Cultural Heritage)

A researcher specializing in archaeology and cultural heritage protection. Completed his doctoral program at the University of Liverpool, UK. Ph.D. Currently serves as the Head of the Conservation Planning Section at the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. For many years, he has been engaged in archaeological excavations and the protection of cultural heritage in West Asia, particularly in Syria, Jordan, Bahrain, Iran, and Afghanistan. He is active on the front lines of international cooperation, conducting surveys on the damage to cultural heritage in conflict-ridden Syria and training local experts. His major publications include "From the Site of the Destruction of the World Heritage Site Palmyra: The Syrian Conflict and Cultural Heritage" (co-edited, Yuzankaku).

【Facilitator】
Takayuki Nakano (Representative of NPO Piece of Syria)

Worked in Syria as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer from 2008-2010. Since 2015, he has visited 10 countries in the Middle East and Europe to meet Syrian refugees and Syrian support organizations. In 2016, he established the Syrian support organization Piece of Syria with the goal of "making Syria a country people want to visit again." Since 2020, he has been living in Kenya as an accompanying family member of his wife, who works as a JICA expert in Kenya. In 2023, he was selected as one of Newsweek Japan's "100 Japanese People Respected by the World."

■ Organizer

NPO Piece of Syria (URL: https://piece-of-syria.org/)

Established in 2016 with the goal of "making Syria a country people want to visit again." Incorporated as an NPO in July 2021.
To build the foundation for Syria's future peace, the organization provides education to over 50,000 Syrian children through kindergarten operations, elementary school building repairs, and emotional care. Additionally, it conducts lectures and photo exhibitions across Japan and online to convey "Syria's present and past" and encourage thinking about peace. These activities have been externally recognized, leading to selections such as Forbes Japan's "50 NPOs to Watch," the "Social Contributor Award," and the "Lion Standing in the Wind Award."