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Saitama City International Exchange Center
In October 2007, on the 9th floor of the public complex named “Comunale*,” located by the East exit of the Urawa JR station, the International Exchange Center opened its doors, managed and operated by the Saitama City Association for Global Awareness (SAGA). The convenient conditions and location are fully utilized to support international exchange and cooperation as a base for regional activities, and to promote a multicultural society.
*“Comunale” is an Italian term meaning “municipal”
Click here to view the Comunale floor map (9th fl)
International Exchange “Puratto” Salon
- An exhibition space, which includes a reference & pamphlets library, and offers information about national and international exchange activities
- The message boards and sofa space remain open during day and are freely available to all visitors
- The Puratto salon is run by volunteer residents, and provides information about daily life and events.
- The “Foreign Languages Conversation Salon” and the “Paring Support Salon” organize different activities, besides providing support to their members
- Every month, the volunteer members of the Puratto Salon choose a different topic and introduce cultures from all over the world to our visitors.
- Commemorative photos and goods from our exchange activities with Sister and Friendly cities are also on display.
Counseling Room
- Volunteer members (Puratto salon staff) are available for consultation about daily life issues, offering support to our foreign residents. (A number of counselors are available daily).
- Consultation services are also provided by our foreign staff in several languages. Please click here to view the weekly schedule of available languages..）
- Counselors provide individual support in our consultation room in order to respect and protect your privacy
Multipurpose Room
- The Association’s Committee activities as well as the foreign language courses take place in our Multipurpose Room
- This space also serves as the location for our Salon exchange activities and other events.
- Every Friday, this room serves as the meeting place for the Japanese language course coordinated by volunteers (Nihongo-no-heya).
Space for International Activities
- A work space provided in support of the local and international exchange and cooperation activities of the affiliated body “the Saitama City International NGOs.
- Printers, paper folding machine, cutters, etc. are installed and available for free to the groups mentioned above. (Please bring your own paper)
- Meetings concerned with activities of international exchange and cooperation take place in this space.
Secreatriat
- Site of the management and center of operations of the Saitama International Exchange Center.
- Under the management of the Head Secretary and with the collaboration of three volunteer citizens, the main administration has been active in various international exchange and cooperation activities.
- In addition to committee work, a volunteers’ registration system has been set up so that available volunteers can be dispatched by the Secretariat to attend and support a diversity of international activities.
- The Secretariat supports various aspects of other international exchange and cooperation activities and civil organizations (including NPO/NGO groups).
Floor Map of the Comunale – 9th fl.
Besides the International Exchange Center, other facilities, such as the Citizens Activities Support Center and the Urawa Consumer Affairs Center, also operate on the 9th floor of the Comunale* building (a public complex located by the East exit of the Urawa JR station). The Saitama City Central Library is located on the 8th floor, and the Urawa Community Center on the 10th fl.
*“Comunale” is an Italian term meaning “municipal.”
