links to their websites
BANGLADESH
On September 16, 2016, the International School Network visited the Embassy of Bangladesh to interview the Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms. Rabab Fatima.
H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima explained to us that a unique perspective of education in Bangladesh is the fact that children have a keen desire to receive an education, no matter their families’ financial situations. H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima has been making efforts to strengthen the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan through student exchange programs.
She believes that an attractive aspect of Bangladesh is its societal advancements: Bangladesh has learnt and rebuilt from natural disasters, reduced poverty, rose the gender equality, and developed a means for food surplus from food shortages. H.E. Ms. Fatima believes that the Bangladeshi development through food shortages and natural disasters makes a role model for strategic development because Bangladesh has been able to reach the degree of producing enough rice not only to feed its citizens but also to export as excess. Through experiencing the importance of resilience, patience, and tolerance in coping with various challenges, the country has achieved more Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) than most other Asian countries.
H.E. Ms. Fatima explained to us what she viewed as the first step towards world peace. She believes in the importance of having respect among nations, and across peoples and cultures. She explained that she views globalization to be inevitable yet necessary to make connections and relationships between people across the globe. Globalization can shorten the distance between countries and improve businesses. She also mentioned to us the importance of cultural identity. H.E. Ms. Fatima considers that the traditions in Bangladesh are very well preserved, using the sari as an example; Bangladeshi people wear traditional clothing as everyday wear.
H.E. Ms. Fatima’s message towards Japanese people is her sincerity that Bangladeshi people consider Japan as being a "very special and real friend". H.E. Ms. Fatima explained that Bangladeshi people recall and feel gratitude for how the Japanese helped Bangladesh towards independence. She mentioned stories about Japanese school children donating their lunch money to refugees and crossing borders during war. H.E. Ms. Fatima hopes that the young students of Bangladesh and Japan can take forward the beautiful relationship between the two countries for generations to come.
(Reported by Madoka Nishina)
Participants
Madoka Nishina Keio University
Kurumionishi The George Washington University
Karen Nishina Kumonkokusaigakuen
2015
BANGLADESH
On the 24th of July 2015 we went to interview the ambassador of Bangladesh. We interviewed the ambassador and learnt many interesting things.
LANGUAGES:
In Bangladesh they teach english, bangla (which is the official language), and there are some arabic taught too (in private schools).
EDUCATION:
The girls education is very good, it is encouraged.
FLAG:
The flag is very similar to the Japanese flag but the red circle is on the left. The ambassador says that they wanted to make it unique. The red circle on the left means that they gave the blood and the green part on the background represents that Bangladesh is very green and filled with nature.
NATURE:
The nature in Bangladesh is very green. The rivers are very big in Bangladesh. The rivers come from their country neighbors. Mountains aren’t so common and there are only hills in Bangladesh. Basically Bangladesh is very flat.
THREATENING:
The climate change and global warming is threatening Bangladesh. Rice harvesting is also threatening Bangladesh.
SEASONS:
In Bangladesh it is hot during the summer and cool during winter. Winter is very short in Bangladesh, it is about during December and January. People in Bangladesh is very used to summer.
SPORTS:
Kabaddi, Cricket, Soccer, and Volleyball are famous sports in Bangladesh. Kabaddi is a famous sport in Bangladesh, it is a traditional sport. Kabaddi is known and played in Japan too. The ambassador played Kabaddi and Western games when the ambassador was small. There are many traditional games and sports in Bangladesh.
FOOD:
Mangoes are very famous in Bangladesh, they are very important. Jackfruit is also famous in Bangladesh.
(Reported by Karen Nishina)
Participants
Madoka Nishina 11th Saint Maur International School
Kate Shimizu 11th Seisen International School
Kurumionishi 10th Saint Maur International School
Karen Nishina 5th Saint Maur International School
After interview at Meguro-Kumin-Center.
2014
BANGLADESH
The International School Network went to the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo on March 31, 2014. We interviewed Ms. Baby Rani Karmakar (First Secretary, Labour) about Bangladesh. She kindly answered our questions about her country.
Ms. Karmakar has been living in Japan since October 2011. Japan is her tenth country, which she has travelled for study, training and work.
As a printer and music artist, Ms. Karmakar appreciates the art of appreciation of the people of Japan. Small cafes and antique shops are like hidden treasure to her. She also appreciates the respectful atmosphere in Japan, which she experiences at performances such as piano concerts, where the Japanese audience is very quiet and appreciative.
Bangladesh is geographically close to several countries and is tolerant to diversity; therefore, people from different cultures and religions live here in harmony. Media enjoys freedom which expresses that people believe in freedom of expression for mutual understanding. The people of Bangladesh love to travel. They are also working in more than one hundred and fifty countries around the world. Bangladesh is rich in culture because of her diverse religion, tribal population, and local social activities. Such a combination makes the country enjoy a wide range of cultural events around the year.
Traditional Bangladeshi music and even the attitudes of the people have a delicate relationship with nature. The social structure is very family-oriented as well, which is similar to Japan.
(Reported by Madoka Nishina)
Participants
Madoka Nishina 10th Saint Maur International School
Sonoha Mori 10th Saint Maur International Schoo
Hinako Fujiwara 10h Saint Maur International School
Karen Nishina 4th Saint Maur International School