關於UPOPOY

背景、目的

愛努文化的振興及普及啟發，面臨傳承者減少、愛努語及傳統工藝等方面處於失傳危機的狀態。不僅如此，至今愛努的歷史和文化等領域仍有著未受到充分理解的課題。在這樣的背景下，於2009年7月的「關於愛努政策應有樣態的有識者懇談會」（主會人：內閣官房長官）中，提議民族共生象徵空間是在認知愛努民族是為原住民族的基礎下，愛努政策的「關鍵」。 UPOPOY（民族共生象徵空間）不只是為了振興愛努文化的空間及設施，亦是復興並發展日本寶貴卻處於存亡危機之中的愛努文化的據點設施。同時也是面向未來，原住民族擁有尊嚴，構築沒有歧視，文化豐富多樣且充滿活力的社會之象徵。

功能

學習、產成愛努的歷史、文化的國際中心，從各式各樣的角度傳承、分享在漫長的歷史及大自然中培育的愛努文化，同時也是人們互相尊重、共生的社會象徵，為備有無論日本國內外、各年齡層的人們，都能學習愛努的世界觀、自然觀等之必要功能的空間。

【UPOPOY需有的功能】
1.　展示、調查研究功能 2. 文化傳承、人才育成功能 3. 體驗交流功能 4. 資訊傳播功能 5. 公園功能 6. 精神文化尊重功能 

History

September 2007	The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is adopted by the General Assembly, including Japan.
June 2008	Both houses of the National Diet of Japan unanimously adopt a resolution recognizing the Ainu as an indigenous people.
July 2009	The final report from the Council for Ainu Policy Promotion proposes the development of a “symbolic space for ethnic harmony”.
June 2014	A Basic Policy for Development, Management and Operation of a Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony is established by the cabinet. It is decided that this symbolic space will be created in Shiraoi Town in the Shiraoi District of Hokkaido.
June 2017	The Basic Policy for Development, Management and Operation of a Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony is partially revised by cabinet decision. The Ainu Culture Promotion / Research Foundation is nominated as the management body.
April 2018	The Ainu Culture Promotion / Research Foundation and Ainu Museum Foundation merge under the name Foundation for Ainu Culture.
December 2018	Upopoy is chosen as the name for the symbolic space for ethnic harmony following a national poll.