5 International Suzuki Teacher Trainers Convention Christophe Bossuat T he first word is a big ‘Thank You’ to our Japanese colleagues who organised this event so beautifully! I encountered a lot of kindness, good organisation and thoughtfulness concerning the process of thinking and speaking about the different topics we had to deal with. We also had very nicely organised social events which took place allowing long-time colleagues to be together and enjoy each other’s company. I appreciated how each topic was first presented with a moderator then discussed in different smaller groups where many of us could voice our point of view. This ended with the topic being summarised by the same moderator, sometimes with an added perspective. There was a further development regarding discussions which had already started at the last conference in Madrid. Each of us was given a good opportunity to see clearly how each region organises itself with Teacher Training, Tonalisation and the growing topic of Early Child Development. We saw different ways of doing things, particularly with Teacher Training and Tonalisation. Obviously, people in each region had to find a way that suits them best. There was no question that quality Teacher Training is important or that Tonalisation is important, but that there was more than one way of doing it. These differences can make us think whilst being still united and valuing the same things. On the topic of an International Accreditation, we approached the subject thinking on what basis such an accreditation could be validated - it is a start. There is still a long way to go here, and I will say that, unless we elect a special team with representatives from each region to deal with this topic, we cannot expect to see much happening. Let us repeat what has already been talked about—it is not about changing anything; it is first about each region positioning itself on this issue knowing precisely how the other regions function. Last of all and but not least, we could witness how much our Japanese colleagues cherish and value the work of Shinichi Suzuki Sensei. It is important for all of us to know and respect where our movement comes from. These are our roots, it has helped us to become who we are in our work, it is an immense legacy. However, if Man is the Son of his Environment, we are also responsible for creating a good environment for the children around us and for ourselves. On the first page of Nurtured by Love, the work is clearly defined - roll up your sleeves and stop blaming society, bad times, your parents, or anybody. The form of the environment we create will evolve with time and we should not always stick to old ideas or models. Shinichi Suzuki Sensei demonstrated this clearly himself - new old ideas! Yes, let us find new ideas, new models, continue the way with new perspectives, in harmony with our roots. The perspective is to elevate the children and ourselves at the same time and be together. There is no end to life’s movement. Shinichi Suzuki was the archer and we were the arrows with the destiny to become archers ourselves who can throw more arrows. I saw many archers in this conference - it was a good feeling!
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