Date and Time : Saturday, February 15, 2025, 13:30 ~ 15:10
Venue : Abiko Civic Plaza Meeting Room 1
Lecturer : Rhys Moses
Participants : 35 people (31 citizens & AIRA members, 4 staff) (No.24-22)

The Intercultural Lecture, which started in 1993, has aimed to introduce foreign cultures to AIRA members and Abiko citizens and to enhance international understanding. International students and Abiko citizens with broad overseas experiences are invited as speakers. They discuss customs, lifestyles and social conditions in foreign countries.

The lecturer, Mr. Rhys Moses from Illinois, the U.S., has been an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) at elementary and junior high schools in Abiko. He delivered a speech, focusing on “the past and present of American society.”
Mr. Moses’s speech covered from his childhood life 40~50 years ago to the lives of children today. He compared his experiences of playing with his friends outside to the children today playing with social media and video games inside. He mentioned the school system of commuting and homeschooling. He also discussed broader changes in American society, including the increase in immigrants, shifts in industrial structures, and transformations in university education, such as changes in research topics and debate themes in class.

Regarding the current social division in the U.S., he explained why the middle class declined or collapsed and the country has weakened itself, by pointing out economic policies and measures implemented by President Reagan and the following presidents. Additionally, he suggested continuation of these measures contributed greatly to electing President Trump. It was a wonderful speech full of valuable insights.

(Translated by KOYAMA Hitomi)