UNAFEI
174TH INTERNATIONAL SENIOR SEMINAR
Farewell Speech
13 February 2020
(delivered by Ana Cristina Bandeira Lins from Brazil)

Honourable Members of the diplomatic corps,Director, Mr. SETO Takeshi (virtually, from Vienna),
Deputy Director, Mrs. ISHIHARA Kayo,
Mr. MORIYA Takahiro, Deputy Director-General of theTokyo International Centre of the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA),UNAFEI professors and staff members,
JICA and ACPF staff members,
Distinguished guests,
Fellow participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I could begin this speech by saying how much we all have acquired during thislast five weeks, great knowledge about the best practices to avoid recidivism. Inaddition, how rich was the opportunity to exchange such relevant information on
the criminal systems among the participants, the professors and visitors fromother countries
I could explore how we have learned deeply about the rehabilitation of exoffenders, and how ready we are now to give intense contribution in our countries,
in order to reach many of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United
Nations agenda.
As an alternative, I could speak about our very instructive and special visits to theMinistry of Justice, the Supreme Court, Hiroshima Prison, a probation office anda halfway house in Kyoto.

I could even express how enormously grateful we all are for UNAFEI, JICA,ACPF and the tax payers of Japan, for allowing each of us this unforgettable
experience, not only in learning about criminal matters, but also about therichness of Japanese culture. The visits to museums, temples and shrines, theclasses about Japanese culture, economy and politics, the Japanese lessons, theimpressive testimony of the survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima, KeikoOgura-san—all were very rich in this aspect.
Besides all that, abusing this honoured and privileged position as a speaker, whatI truly want to talk about at this quite difficult moment, is how gratified I feel forbeing adopted as a member of this privileged circle, called UNAFEI.
The former UNAFEI member, Ogawa-san, told us during that most pleasantdinner in Hiroshima about how nice it is to be a part of this beautiful UNAFEI
family. In his words, I am sure that all of us, students, could recognize ourselves.
At UNAFEI, we could enjoy many happy
moments, like at the ping-pong training andcompetition, at the meals and break times and at
the practically daily parties.
Being member of the UNAFEI family, we werealso able to enjoy the most welcoming
atmosphere in the memorable visit to the homesof volunteer probation officers. All of us have nice stories to tell about thisremarkable moment from our seminar.
I must also mention the hard work done by of ourpatient and very nice chefs and be thankful for thedelicious meals served. And we cannot forget thealways alert guards and the brave cleaners.
I will never forget how much I learned aboutcountries that I barely knew how to find on the globe!
I will always have a very special place in my heart for
all of you, dear professors, staff and participants. Especially for my beloved
Japanese fellows, who constantly did all they could to turn this period in Japan toone of the absolute highlights of my life.
I will never forget the adventures and shared secrets with some female
participants, nor will I forget the amazing time spent beside my adorable BigBrothers. Please, everyone, don’t leave me alone!!!
I could, instead, give more details over how my two private missions were almost
completed. I was not able to develop much of my karaoke talents. You are allwitnesses that I tried hard, but I still sing poorly. On the other hand, regarding myknowledge of sake, I’m proud to say that I’ve really learned a lot.
Back to this cheerful home, I will always be dreaming to return…
I am waiting for each one of you in Brazil, and of course, also next April at
the Kyoto Congress!!!
Just two last things I’d like to add:
Seto-san, I hope someone isvideo-recording now, what I’ve
intensely trained to say at thishard moment to you:♪Sayonara,anata,watashi wa kaerimasu. ♪
And for the UNAFEI family:
kokoro kara aishiteru!
Domo arigato gozaimashita.