Youth Exchange: Global Youth Exchange Program
The 10th Global Youth Exchange Program for Fiscal 2003
1. General Theme:
World Peace in the 21st Century - Building Our Society through Synergy of Diversity
2. Dates:
5 October to 18 October, 2003
3. Places:
Tokyo, Kyoto and Sapporo
4. Participants:
36 participants from 33 countries and regions
Asia-Pacific: China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Australia and Japan
North America: United States (2) and Canada
Latin America: Brazil and Guatemala
Europe: France, Norway, Russia, Cyprus, Latvia, Serbia and Montenegro, Georgia
Middle East: Afghanistan, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and Bahrain
Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Burundi and Kenya
5. Content:
Through the events that made up the program, the participants deepened their understanding of the general theme and, at the same time, this group of young people - who will carry the burden of the international community in the 21st century - formed true friendships by building dialogue and overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. In addition, exchanges with local students and citizens enabled the participants to deepen their understanding of Japan.
(1) Discussions and public symposium
The participants undertook group discussions for three days in Sapporo under the general theme of "World Peace in the 21st Century - Building Our Society through Synergy of Diversity." The fruit of their deliberations was the drawing up of a final proposal.
(a) Discussions in Sapporo (From 13 October through the 15th)
Following lectures by Prof. Tomohiko Ohira and Asst. Prof. Akira Hashimoto, both from the Institute of Language and Culture Studies and Graduate School of International Media and Communications of Hokkaido University, participants indulged in group discussions on the sub-themes of the event: (1) Cultural Diversity and Conflicts; (2) Synergy of Diversity in Regions and Nations; and (3) International Society and Synergy of Diversity. After far-reaching and thorough deliberations, the participants drew up a final proposal. In the process, the young people who had travelled to Sapporo from around the world as representatives of the international community strengthened their solidarity - while still respecting each others' individual beliefs - and accomplished cooperation amid diversity.
(b) Public symposium (16 October 2003)
(2) Presentation of the final proposal to Mr. Yasushi Akashi, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations (16 October 2003)
The proposal was presented to Mr. Akashi by the representatives of the State of Israel and the Palestinian Territory, who had been selected from among the participants who drafted the report. In the presentation ceremony, Mr. Akashi spoke about the role of the United Nations and Japan in bringing about genuine synergy of cultural diversity, with the participants showing great interest and actively participating in the question and answer session.
(3) Various lectures
To better understand the general theme, the participants attended lectures at a number of universities and deliberated with Japanese graduate students and Asian students attending Japanese universities.
(a) Lecture by Prof. Shinji Asanuma of Hitotsubashi University, on the theme "Development of East Asia and Globalisation"
After the lecture, the participants held discussions with graduate students of Hitotsubashi University.
(b) Koji Murata, Associate Professor of Doshisha University, on the topic "Road to Synergy of Diversity - Lessons from the 20th Century"
(4) Visits to Japanese cities and districts, exchanges and home stays
To better understand Japanese culture, the participants visited Kyoto and experienced traditional arts, the tea ceremony and undertook Zazen meditation. They also toured the city's Golden Temple and Byodoin. Later, with students from Doshisha University, they visited other parts of the city and exchanged opinions on a wide range of topics.
In Sapporo, the participants paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Mayor of Sapporo, Mr. Shoichiro Fukusako, who explained how the city is actively promoting internationalization. In the evening, the participants had dinner with four international exchange organizations and were able to have grassroots exchanges with local citizens.
And over the weekend, each participant stayed at the home of a host family and enjoyed a warm welcome and the experience of living in a Japanese family.
