School of Commerce and high school students listening to the lecture
On May 14, 2025, a special class entitled “The origin and rich culture of cacao” was held at the School of Commerce with Dr. Maria Elena Moreira, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in Japan, as a guest lecturer.
The special class was held as part of the TOKORO Yasuhiro seminar. Focusing on the history and culture of Ecuador, a South American country on the equator, the class highlights the world’s oldest cacao culture.
The lecturer, Dr. Moreira also participated in the Latin American and Caribbean Film Festival organized by TOKORO Yasuhiro seminar in January 2025.
In this special class, she introduced Ecuador’s diverse regional cultures, the natural blessings of the Galapagos Islands, and the bilateral economic relationship between Japan and Ecuador, using videos and slides.
The special class was held as part of the TOKORO Yasuhiro seminar. Focusing on the history and culture of Ecuador, a South American country on the equator, the class highlights the world’s oldest cacao culture.
The lecturer, Dr. Moreira also participated in the Latin American and Caribbean Film Festival organized by TOKORO Yasuhiro seminar in January 2025.
In this special class, she introduced Ecuador’s diverse regional cultures, the natural blessings of the Galapagos Islands, and the bilateral economic relationship between Japan and Ecuador, using videos and slides.
Dr. Moreira (Charge d'Affaires ad interim) giving a lecture
This special class also featured a video message from Professor Francisco Valdés, a renowned archaeologist who studies the world’s oldest cacao culture, touching on the archaeological value of cacao in Ecuador.
In addition, 17 students and teachers from Toyojoshi Senior High School (Bunkyo Ward), which is currently participating in an exchange program with a high school in Ecuador, also attended the event. The event fostered learning and friendship across generations and national borders.
Professor TOKORO, the teacher in charge, concluded by saying, “I hope that this special class will create new bonds between Meiji University and Ecuador and serve as a first step toward young people learning from each other across national borders and building a future together.”
The School of Commerce will continue to actively promote initiatives aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding and developing globally minded individuals who can play active roles on the world stage.
In addition, 17 students and teachers from Toyojoshi Senior High School (Bunkyo Ward), which is currently participating in an exchange program with a high school in Ecuador, also attended the event. The event fostered learning and friendship across generations and national borders.
Professor TOKORO, the teacher in charge, concluded by saying, “I hope that this special class will create new bonds between Meiji University and Ecuador and serve as a first step toward young people learning from each other across national borders and building a future together.”
The School of Commerce will continue to actively promote initiatives aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding and developing globally minded individuals who can play active roles on the world stage.