May 2010

Chair Watanabe Meets New UNICEF Executive Director

Dr. Anthony Lake, the sixth executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund, visited Japan in May. On May 12 he attended a special event at the United Nations University in Tokyo, where Rissho Kosei-kai was represented by Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of its Board of Trustees; Rev. Koichi Matsumoto, director of the Youth Department; and Rev. Keiji Kunitomi, deputy director of the General Affairs Bureau. The event was also attended by ambassadors, Japanese government officials, and NGO representatives.

Dr. Lake made a speech in which he expressed appreciation for Japan's contributions to UNICEF and emphasized the importance of continued commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Later during the event Rev. Watanabe talked with Dr. Lake, and they confirmed the close cooperation between UNICEF and Rissho Kosei-kai.

A native of New York City, Dr. Lake became the sixth UNICEF executive director on May 1. He served as a senior foreign policy advisor to the presidential campaign of President Barack Obama. He was U.S. national security advisor (1993-97) under President Bill Clinton, and director of the policy planning staff of the Carter administration (1977-81). From 1998 to 2007 he served on the board of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, with a term as chair from 2004 to 2007.

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