[Wrap-up Session] "Reverse IDEAs"

Moderator: Andrea Pompilio
Speakers: Alia Khan, WADA Ei, INABA Toshiro, Mangestuti Agil

Andrea Pompilio (Pompilio): I would like to ask everyone on stage about the theme "Reverse IDEA."
In this era of drastic change, with the development of communication tools and technology, the world has become a smaller place. And we are now able to have more contact with different cultures and arts, different religions, practices and values, and we have the opportunity to learn about them more than ever. Looking back, we have been moving at a very rapid pace toward a society based on economy and harsh competition. This has given us convenience and efficiency. However, I have often felt that this rapid change is paralyzing our capability to make decisions about sharing and living together as global citizens. And I think that through exchanges such as this one, we may be able to learn more about the world and find answers or share ideas about how we may truly enrich our lives for us as individuals and for humanity.
So now I would like to hear from the speakers. Ms. Khan, what does "Reverse IDEA" mean to you?

Alia Khan: For me, I think "Reverse IDEA" is going back to traditional values and understanding our roots. There's so much wisdom and so much wealth that we must learn to enrich from. It's all about absorbing as much as you can from the previous generation in order to give the future generation a much better chance at optimal success.

WADA Ei: In my case, I think that I am always trying to think in reverse as much as possible. We have been enjoying one system and we think that is the only answer, but we need to go back to the origin and see how it evolved. Then we may find lost or forgotten opportunities. I think we should think about the current system in comparison to those opportunities.

Pompilio: Dr. Inaba, what are your thoughts about "Reverse IDEAs" and how they may help us to explore the future?

INABA Toshiro: As human beings, we must go back to nature. In other words, we are alive, and we share the Earth with other living beings. Although we have different religions and cultures, we must think back to Earth, which is the foundation of our existence. I think that is the basic image of "Reverse IDEAs."

Mangestuti Agil: We have to think more seriously about back to nature in the right way. It has been proved empirically and all we need is stronger scientific support. Do not rejected them. Why? Because the concept of body-mind-spirit is the right way to face the critical period that we are facing nowadays, that is: weakening of our immune system, damage body cells, and neurodegeneration.

Pompilio: Ladies and gentlemen, I think you have shared important ideas and opinions with the speakers today. The time has come for researchers, artists and businesspeople alike to think more deeply and seriously about what we can bring to the next generation, not separately as countries but on a global scale. I hope you will take away the ideas you heard today and continue to think about them. Thank you very much.

"Reverse IDEAs" (approx. 12 minutes)

Hands-on Display: The Barcoders (musical instrument created by Mr. Wada)

Related Project: JAMU Mini Exhibition

In relation to the talk session, an exhibition panel featuring the health drink called "jamu" that has been popular among people in Indonesia and the ingredients of jamu were displayed at the venue.

Cooperation: Fragrance Journal, UENO Yasushi (Mr.), TAKAHASHI Yumi (Ms.), Riskina Juwita (Dr.)

Comments from the audience written on a questionnaire after the event included: "I learned many things about a variety of fields including fashion, music and medicine," "Since it was such a broad area of discussion, I wish we had time to explore the subjects in more detail" and "It's a shame this was a weekday event. It would have been better if it was on the weekend." We are grateful for your comments, which will help us in our future activities. We would like to thank the many participants for their kind attention to all the presentations.

Photography: TAYAMA Tatsuyuki
Planning / Editing: FUJISHIGE Nakako (The Japan Foundation Asia Center)