On December 6, 2013, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), of the Embassy of Japan, arranged a Pre-Departure Orientation for the delegates of the Japan-ASEAN Student Conference, in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC), at the NYC Conference Room.
Seiki Furudate, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, gave the welcome remarks to the participants, extolling the virtues of learning, with the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, to encourage them to be open to different cultures and experiences. NYC staff, led by Mr. Mark Fernandez, presided over the program proper, consisting of introductions, reminders for safe travel, and an outline of the tasks and formal functions charged with the students, as youth goodwill ambassadors.
The 15 representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are attending the Japan-ASEAN Student Conference from December 7 to December 16, 2013, numbering among the 150 total participants from 10 ASEAN Member States. They are joining 30 Japanese participants in an extensive discussion program for four days and three nights in Tokyo, graced by Mrs. Akie Abe, First Lady of Japan, on December 13. They are also following an itinerary of courtesy calls and a tour of sights and attractions, and visits to Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Hokkaido, and Kagoshima prefectures to gain appreciation for local culture. The focal point of the student conference is “the cooperative role of youth in ASEAN and Japan towards peace, stability, and development, and prosperity in Asia,” and the students are divided into five discussion groups: Education, Entrepreneurship, Environment and Corporate Social Contribution (CSC), and Social Contribution Activities of Youth based on Volunteerism, and Traditional Culture. Once the conference is concluded, a summary will be presented, and a plan of action, as a result of the discussions, will be submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Japan-ASEAN Student Conference coincides with the ASEAN-Japan Special Summit Meeting from December 13 to December 15, 2013, in celebration of the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship, with the theme “Thoughts Connected, Future Connected.” His Excellency Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, will be present during the meeting, and will call on Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.
As part of JENESYS 2.0, the Japan-ASEAN Student Conference is instrumental in paving the way for intercultural dialogue, highlighting the crucial involvement of youth in building the Asian community. JENESYS 2.0, an offshoot of the original JENESYS program in 2007, was kick-started this year by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the purpose of offering varied youth exchange opportunities to Japan, furthering the unique and cool “Japan Brand.”
