A hundred students from various universities converged at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) Multipurpose Hall last April 9 for their Pre-Departure Orientation prior to their journey to Japan as Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors under the Japan East-Asia Network for Students and Youths (Jenesys) Programme.
In a joint statement released by both the government of Japan and the government of the Republic of the Philippines last September, the significance of youth exchanges was emphasized, with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda stating that Japan will invite 400 Filipino college students to Japan this year as “Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors.”
The orientation aims to equip participants with basic knowledge for their stay in Japan. Organized by JICC, it gave the participants salient points regarding the nature of the Jenesys Programme, as well as an introduction to Japanese culture. The first batch left last April 10 and will return to the Philippines on April 18. Minister Motohiko Kato, deputy chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, delivered an inspiring speech for the young ambassadors.
The participants comprise the first batch of Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors out of a total of 400 participants who have been invited to visit Japan for nine days. The first two batches departing in April will be under the theme, Jenesys-“Go Green,” while the last two batches that will arrive in Japan in May will be under the theme, Jenesys-“Japan’s Disaster Management and Recovery Efforts After 3.11.”
During their stay, the youth ambassadors will witness Japan’s recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck Japan’s Tohoku region on March 11, 2011. Also included in their itinerary is a homestay program, as well as various opportunities for interaction with Japanese youths from different educational institutions. Through the Jenesys Programme, the participants will glean insights from Japan’s rapid reconstruction efforts, as well as build friendships with their Japanese peers.
The Jenesys Programme is organized by the government of Japan through the JICC of the Embassy of Japan as well as the Japan International Cooperation Center, in close cooperation with the National Youth Commission of the Republic of the Philippines.