2017.22.04 Mr. Hamdard Receives Special Award in the 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan.

Mr. Hamdard Receives Special Award in the 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan.

April 22, 2017: It was a pleasure for Mr. Basir Ahmad Hamdard, First Secretary and Political Affairs for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan to attend and compete in the “20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan” hosted by The Japan Foundation, Minato City Hall, and the Minato Sports, Community, Culture, and Health Foundation. Mr. Hamdard was the first contestant among the twenty to give a speech and his topic was “Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan” for which he was awarded the Award of Excellence from the Judges.

This contest, the twentieth of its kind, was designed to provide foreign diplomats with an opportunity to present their ideas in Japanese and promote exchanges with local people, according to organizers. During the three-hour presentation, before an audience of about 300, the participants delivered speeches in Japanese about topics relevant to their home countries, many offering insights into Japanese culture through diplomats’ eyes.

Following the Awards Presentation, Mr. Hamdard spoke with the various hosts of the event and thanked them not only for their invitation to compete but also for supporting an event like this where a bridging of cultures and relations can be fostered. Mr. Hamdard also spoke with Hon. Mr. Kazunori Tanaka, Member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the International Bureau, Mr. Daisuke Okabe, Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division for MOFA Japan, Mr. Abulla Jassim Al-Zeyara, Counsellor Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Qatar in Japan, Mr. Kazuhisa Kawafune, Director of NPO Foreign Embassies Friendship Association, Ms. Masayo Hasebe, Director of Medical Corporation Ijinkai, and Mr. Koh Aoki, Representative of Active Middle International Association with whom he exchanged greetings and discussed topics of mutual interest.

To see Mr. Hamdard receive his award, please click the photo and then press play.

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