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![]() Ichi Ikeda, 'Water for the Future', the main subject in the first Big Hands Conference held in Japan Cultural Center, Bangkok, Thailand, 2000 |
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Ichi Ikeda Big Hands Conference, Bangkok, Thailand Ichi Ikeda held a "Big Hands Conference" in Bangkok, where canals used to run through the city like cobwebs and it was even called the friendly "Water Capital". At first, he addressed himself to the audience, "We have high regards for Thai culture which keeps long history of the Water Culture represented through the preservation of so many water symbols. Taking into consideration our future, scoop up water in the flat of your hands. Your hands filled with 'Future Water' must serve as a 'Big Hand' extending towards the future." In the center of the gallery, was a big tablecloth with an enlarged image of Ichi Ikeda's hands scooping up water. And looking closely, you can find the main subject of conference, "Water for the Future", written in the palms of his hands. Twelve "Big Hands" surround the table as if confronting today's environmental issues. Looking closer, each of the Big Hands reveals information on actual water problems:80 percent of diseases in developing countries are still caused by contaminated water Because of water pollution, 20 percent of certain species of fresh water fish are nearly to the point of extinction It is estimated that water-borne diseases cause one child to die every eight seconds...and so on. On opening day, Ichi Ikeda asked the participants to listen to the "Voice of Water":
As a result of this conference, approximately 50 Thai people subscribed their names to the "Water Senders Agreement", and sympathized with ongoing activities of the "Water for the Future". Hopefully, the Big Hands Conference will go on to be held in various places around the world.
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| © 2008 greenmuseum.org |