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Japanese Professors from Tokyo University visit LERC

Monday 17th August 2009 (Day 1), LERC, NDU
Reported By Damian Naylor, LERC intern

On 17 and 18 August, 2009, LERC had the pleasure of receiving researchers from Tokyo University in Japan.  The two-day event focused on introducing the professors to the LERC materials and resources in order to build a foundation for future work together.  The visit was a success with the guests clearly impressed by the material available at LERC.

The program started with an introduction to LERC and its staff.  A light breakfast was served and the staff introduced to each of the professors.  Dr. Hidemitsu Kuroki, Mr. Ikeda, a PhD candidate in the field of Anthropology, Prof. Ijima, Prof. Suzuki, Prof. Iizuka, Prof. Majima, and Prof. Mio were all in attendance.  Their fields were various, covering Modern History of Syria and Lebanon, Modern History of Brazil, and Modern Islamic Thought. As the Lebanese with their twofold culture, have made their mark in all these areas of study, the visitors were able to profit greatly from their contact with LERC.

After introductions, an overview of LERC was presented at the auditorium.  Dr. Kuroki spoke a few words and expressed his enthusiasm and hope that the relationship between LERC and Tokyo University would be a long and fruitful one.  He spoke a little bit about the project in which he is involved, researching Confessionalism and Clientelism in Lebanon.  He spoke about his colleagues and their various specialties and how they will all benefit from association with LERC.


Dr. Hidemitsu Kuroki delivering his speech at NDU’s Auditorium (Aug 2009).

Ms. Hourani, LERC Director, then spoke extensively on Lebanese migration, how and why it started, its economic importance to Lebanon in the form of remittances, and some of the detrimental effects of it such as the Brain Drain.  She then fielded questions from the professors before the meeting broke up for lunch.


Ms. Guita Hourani at the podium giving her talk on general aspects of Lebanese Migration (Aug 2009).


A view of the audience in rapt attention (Aug 2009).

After lunch there was a presentation of the LERC Archives and Database by Ms. Basma Abdel Khalek and Ms. Liliane Haddad.  They discussed the electronic resources of LERC and the software in use, such as Laserfiche, to catalogue materials.


Mrs Liliane Haddad and Ms. Basma Abdel Khalek presenting LERC’s electronic resources (Aug 2009).

LERC was then visited by H.E. Fares Said, the Lebanese Ambassador to Paraguay, who wished to explain more about Lebanese migration in Latin America.  He spoke not only about the Lebanese community in Paraguay, but also the Japanese community in Paraguay and how they had immersed themselves in the social and economic fabric of Paraguay.  Also in attendance for the day’s activities was Mr. Roberto Khatlab, LERC’s Liaison Officer for Latin America, in order to provide more expertise on the nature of Lebanese migration in Latin America.


Ms. Guita Hourani acknowledges the book presented by H.E. Fares Eid to LERC to mark the occasion (Aug 2009).

The first day concluded with a tour of the Museum with Mr. Elie Nabhan.  Ms. Hourani also spoke about some of the materials which related to Lebanese migration, such as the correspondence from Lebanese abroad, as well as pictures of Lebanese immersed in their adopted communities.


The delegation gathers to view the exhibits at the Lebanon and Migration Museum at NDU (Aug 2009).


End of Day 1: The group in attendance (Aug 2009).

Tuesday 18th August 2009 (Day 2)

The second day allowed for much more exploration of our resources by the professors.  They were given an overview of the NDU Library by Mrs. Leslie Hage, the Director of Libraries, and were allowed access to to its resources and materials.  The professors also explored various areas of LERC, depending on their areas of interest.  Some spent much time in the Archives exploring our catalogue of magazines and newspapers.  Some spent
time with Mrs. Haddad exploring Laserfiche and the many resources it has available on its database.

Dr. Kuroki and Ms. Hourani, along with NDU Professor Sensenig-Dabbous, also discussed the Grant in Aid for Scientific Research Project, run by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science under the Ministry of Education and Cultre in Japan.  It is a four- year project for research abroad.  The role of LERC in this research is to provide assistance, in terms of sources, bibliographies and contacts.  As the project progresses, the two parties will specify joint research on Lebanese migration.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Japanese Professors were clearly impressed with the resources LERC had to offer and were very keen about future cooperation.


Prof. Ijima being introduced around the LERC library by Ms. G. Hourani (Aug 2009).


Prof. Mio signs on to the LERC Golden Book with Prof. Izuka looking on as Prof. Majima (far right) examines an original document (Aug 2009).


Prof. Suzuki, scholar of Modern Brazilian History (left), stands with Mr. R. Khatlab, LERC’s Liaison Officer for Latin America (Aug 2009).


End of Day II: Souvenir photo at LERC (from left to right) Prof. Majima, Prof. Mio, Prof. Suzuki, Mrs. L. Haddad, Prof. Ijima, Mr. R. Khatlab, Mr. E. Nabhan, Dr. H. Kuroki and Prof. Izuka (Aug 2009).