The Human Library to launch in Japan

Eight years and four months after its first presentation in Denmark, at Roskilde Festival 2000, the Human Library now reaches Japan. On December 6th the first Official Human Library will take place in Kyoto, Japan as part of the ATAC 2008 Conference.

Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication Conference 2008.

The conference has been held annually since 1996 and is divided into two parts. A one day pre-conference meeting and the two day main conference. It is expected that more than 700 participants will take part in the program. ATAC also conducts seminars in Tokyo and in other parts of Japan. ”This is a great opportunity to introduce the Human Library to the Japanese public. Staging the event as part of a conference helps to show that the Human Library methodology and concept can be applied in many different cultures and settings” says co-creator and author of the guide to organisers, Ronni Abergel.

Stereotypes on display.

The first Japanese Human Library will feature well known stereotypes, common to the rest of the world, such as the Asperger´s patient, the ex-homeless and the mentally disabled and some which are specific to the Japanese society including the Miniature model creator and the nepalese immigrant.

TV documentary on NHK in Japan.

The national television company NHK is currently producing a 30 minute documentary about the Human Library concept and its introduction to Japan. The program is set to air the week before the launch event in Kyoto. Another Human Library is scheduled to take place on January 14th, 2009, in a Tokyo High School.

For more information on the ATAC conference CLICK HERE. (website in Japanese only)