PROFESSIONAL LUNCHEON
Tadateru Konoe,
President, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The speech and Q & A will be in English.

Japanese Red Cross Society chief Tadateru Konoe became on Nov. 19 the new president of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the 17th General Assembly meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya. He is the first Asian to lead the world's largest humanitarian organization.

Konoe, 70, graduated from Gakushuin University in 1962 and studied at the London School of Economics. He will serve a four-year term as the 15th leader of the 90-year old organization.

Joining the Japanese Red Cross Society in 1964, Konoe has devoted 45 years to humanitarian activities, including an eight-year stay in Geneva. During this time he has visited 90 countries and his recent activities include leading the rescue efforts after the 2008 earthquake in China's Sichuan Province and the 2004 earthquake off the island of Sumatra.

The younger brother of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa, Konoe is the adopted grandson of late Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. He is married to Yasuko Konoe, the daughter of HIH Prince Mikasa-no-Miya.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies committed to a new plan: "Strategy 2020," whose mission is to address pressing issues such as disasters, health risks, migration, social exclusion and the human cost of climate change, a leading item on the agenda of the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15), held in Copenhagen.

Join this FCCJ Professional Luncheon for what is sure to be an important and timely event.

MENU
Sandwich: Roast beef, cheese, fried onion, cress, horseradish mayonnaise on baguette, salad & pickles.
Hot Plate: Salmon with caponata, spinach, polenta & pesto, seasonal salad.

Tadateru Konoe, President, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies