The Words of the Lawson Family

Second CARP Convention of World Students July 16-22, Tokyo, Japan

David Tebo and Josie Lawson
July 22, 1985


World CARP President Hyo fin Moon is welcomed at the CARP Festival.

Without much of the world knowing it, some amazing historical events took place in July at the Second Annual CARP Convention of World Students in Tokyo, Japan.

It was here that Hyo Jin Moon, the president of World CARP, formally assumed his leadership of the CARP movement. Through inheriting the tradition of heart from our True Parents, their eldest son was able to transmit that heart, through words and tears, to the hundreds of CARP students who attended the week-long convention.

The first event of the week was the World Students' Symposium, held at the Miyako Hotel. The main thesis of the symposium, given by Hiroshi Ogasawara, liberal arts sophomore at the University of Tokyo and vice-president of Tokyo University CARP, was "The Student's View of Values: Toward the 21st Century." Mr. Ogasawara spoke on the mission of Christianity and CARP to bring about a world of peace in the next century.

Papers outlining the themes of the group sessions were presented: "The Limitations of Democracy and Communism, and a New View of Values," "The Encounter between the Eastern Spirit and Western Civilization," "Social Development and the Mission of Universities," and "On the Possibility of Realizing a Global Community." Participants then attended the session of their choice. Double translation from English took place in all the sessions, since there were many Japanese and Korean participants. Even though it took some time to communicate thoughts across the language barriers, the symposium proved an extremely valuable experience because of the many different views shared.

A Vision for CARP Presidents

The next event, the World Conference of CARP Presidents, brought together CARP leaders from each of the 54 countries whose students attended the convention, reminding the participants of a meeting of the United Nations. The representatives reported on past activities and discussed the future of World CARP.

Hyo Jin Nim gave inspiration and direction to the leaders, and President Bong Tae Kim of Korean CARP expanded the vision with a presentation entitled, "The Mission and Direction of World CARP." Formal reports were heard from the countries where CARP movements are large: Korea, the United States, Germany, the Philippines, and Japan. Dr. Joon Ho Seuk, U.S. CARP president, shared the inspirations Father gave to CARP from Danbury, and specifics about Father's situation in America.

Hyo Jin Nim offered a brief closing statement, calling for each participant to be a proud CARP member and to courageously fight against evil. He asked that we continue to strive for the eternal love and truth of God. The highlight of the meeting was when each CARP president personally greeted Hyo Jin Nim: He gave all of them autographed copies of a recently published book of his poetry.

Students Display Their Talent

For those who were not prepared for Japanese hospitality and extravagance, the convention ceremony and festival held at Kokugi-Kan Hall must have seemed an awesome event. The hall, the top Sumo wrestling stadium in Tokyo, was filled to capacity with 10,000 enthusiastic young people. An all-student orchestra played selections from Handel's "Messiah" as the audience assembled.

After the fanfare and speeches, everyone settled into their seats for a three-hour presentation of student talent that reflected the growth and advancement of CARP in Japan. CARP members and other students from all over Japan shared their impressive musical, dancing, and martial arts abilities, to the delight of the thousands in attendance.

The disco craze infected the young audience near the end of the evening as professional rock star Mild Asakura performed. The crowd became one mass of dancing, bouncing humanity. The grand finale featured "Let's Join Our Hands Friends of the Earth," a song which brought everyone together, embracing and swaying from side to side, in a moment that seemed to evoke an image of a coming world of unity and peace.

Japan Takes First Place in Han Ma Dang Games

On the morning of July 19, six colorfully clad athletic teams entered the jam-packed Edogawa-ku Athletic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 1985 Han Ma Dang Sports Festival. The Han Ma Dang Games were established in 1984 by Father. He envisions that they will become even more famous than the Olympics. Their purpose is to foster world unity and brotherhood through sports competition.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by Hyo Jin Nim, the return of the championship flag from Korea, and the lighting of the Han Ma Dang flame.

The athletic competition, greatly expanded from last year, was held over a two-day period, featuring 100m, 200m, and 400m relays; 5000m races; the shot put, high jump, and long jump; and team competitions in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and table tennis. A large, well- trained Japanese contingent put in a strong showing and took first place in the overall competition. A much smaller United States team challenged the hosts but ended in second place. The Korean team placed third in the overall standings.

In the closing ceremony the championship flag was presented to Japan CARP, and the Han Ma Dang banner was formally turned over to Dr. Seuk, marking the beginning of preparations for the third Han Ma Dang games, to be held next year in America.

Expressing the Joy of Life

On July 20, 14,000 students from all over Japan, including participants from the World Students' Convention, gathered at the Korakuen Baseball Stadium for the "Heavenly Disco" festival. Giant speakers blasted out Western pop music and the voices of Japanese jazz singers. Dancing groups called the "Heavenly Beauties" as well as break dancers delighted the twirling mass of dancing students. Japan CARP's activities on campuses now include disco clubs, whose purpose is to promote a healthy mind and body and to give students the opportunity to express the joy of life through dancing.

Spirits were high despite the torrential downpour which flooded into the open stadium. The music continued as dancers got cooled in the soaking rain. Two thousand participants were selected to be contestants in a dance contest, and during the songs, judges walked through the rain-soaked crowd, scoring those wearing ribbons and numbers. The top three dancers received big beautiful trophies and the number-one dancer won a Mitsubishi sports car which was there on display.

When the rain stopped, the crowd welcomed Hyo Jin Nim with enthusiastic cheers and loud applause. He gave a brief address about the value of dancing to express the joy and love of God. Hyo Jin Nim's sincerity and warmth touched all the students very much. The evening concluded with the song "Hero," a favorite among Japanese CARP disco fans.

Exemplary Son

CARP has been given a great blessing in Hyo Jin Nim's becoming World CARP leader. He has victoriously inherited not only the words but the heart of True Parents, and has taken on an extremely difficult mission. It became clear to us that he is a model that True Parents are asking CARP members to follow. He has overcome many trials to reach the level of dedication he exemplifies today, and is ready to face all obstacles to uphold his commitment. We could see that there was a bond of unity formed between Hyo Jin Nim and the CARP members from 54 countries, who were grateful to receive his guidance and wisdom.

We have the opportunity now to inherit from Hyo Jin Nim, as the leader of the second generation, what he has received from God. The eldest son is perhaps the closest link to the parents, so through Hyo Jin Nim we can come much closer to True Parents.

The Second CARP Convention of World Students marked the beginning point of a new era in which Hyo Jin Nim is guiding us toward becoming world citizens of a global student community. The sharing of heart, tears, and prayers we experienced together in Japan will help the World CARP spirit grow and prosper until next year, when it can be refreshed and renewed at the Third Annual CARP Convention of World Students in the United States. 

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