e-ShortNews

Date: March 10 (Thurs), 2005, 9:00-19:30
Place: Plaza HEISEI, Tokyo International Exchange Center (2-79 Aomi, Koto-ku)

An international conference, sponsored by Japan Student Services Organization, welcomed Mr. Monte Cassim, president of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, as a keynote speaker. Many panelists and commentators from the US, Sweden and other countries also participated. The conference gave us a good chance to think about the issues between international students and the Japanese community.

In one of the sessions, Meguro UNESCO, as a nongovernmental UNESCO association, presented a case study under the theme "You can take part in an international exchange close to you". This was based on our actual experiences and it was an honor to be given the chance to present our activities on such an occasion. Dialog between international students is at the center of our youth activities. The annual summer International Friendship Youth Retreat is a real example of international exchange between students. The retreat, a three-day residential camp, celebrated its 15th anniversary last year and has hosted almost 1,000 participants altogether. Our collection of national flags exceeds 60, representing the countries of young people who have attended. Many seeds of friendship between people who met at the camp have grown and blossomed over a long time period. One such result is a movement to establish a school in Myanmar, which started from relationships between Japanese and international students. Also, a disaster relief charity concert on April 25, started as a result of the ties with students from Sri Lanka.
"International students are the key to open local community to the world - its idea, strategy, and scheme" was the common theme of the sessions. Young people can learn about foreign countries through those nation’s students, enabling them to easily widen their area of activities. What an amazing opportunity to take action!
The International Friendship Youth Retreat is now seeking a new course following the closure of the Wada Village facility. Through the sessions, we are reminded of the importance of continuing the exchange activity and passing it on to next generation, even though we will have to change the style. To deepen this activity, what kind of strategy is needed to maintain relationships with international students? This year is the turning point to construct a new system.

(Written by F. Harada)