Nov, 2018
On Saturday, November 17th, we hosted the "Two-Week International Student Exchange Program - A Step Toward Global Partnership" (supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and JICA Chikyu Hiroba) at JICA Chikyu Hiroba. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, not only the members of the Summer Vietnam Student Exchange Program (VJEP2018), but also to the many attendees from distant places.
The event was divided into four parts:
＜Part I: Overview of AAEE (Asia Education Exchange and Research Organization)
The event commenced with opening remarks and an overview of AAEE by Chisato Mochizuki, AAEE student assistant, and Akinori Seki, President of AAEE. Both of them exuded enthusiasm.
＜Part 2: International Exchange Program Report
A report session highlighted the Vietnam program (VJEP) conducted in August and September.
August Program Report (Ikuya Nagashima, 1st-year student of the Faculty of Letters, Waseda University)
Mr. Nagashima chose to participate in the program after receiving an invitation from a university friend who had taken part in the previous year's Nepal Program organized by OIST. During the Vietnam program, she represented the Japanese team and delivered a presentation on the theme "Poverty and Education" (which was very well received!). Her presentation this time focused on navigating different cultures and interactions, drawing from her unique perspective during the program. The most impactful part of Ms. Nagashima's presentation was centered around the "3C's" crucial for cross-cultural exchange: Confirmation, Compromise, and Compliment. She emphasized the significance of confirming understanding, compromising during disagreements, and consistently offering praise. Listening to Ms. Nagashima's presentation reaffirmed the importance and necessity of these 3C's in any cross-cultural exchange scenario.
2. Report on the Vietnam Program in September (Ayumi Yoshino, 4th-year student at Tokyo Keizai University)
Ms. Yoshino shared insights from collaborative research with Vietnamese students focused on education. Their chosen theme was "Comparison of Attitudes Toward Volunteerism between Japan and Vietnam." In the limited research timeframe, they raised the issue alongside local team members, conducted surveys, visited five schools, conducted interviews, and then summarized and presented their findings. The results were showcased in an international presentation contest in English, where they secured the top prize. Their remarkable achievement left a lasting impression on all of us.
＜Part 3: Participants' Group Discussion
After thorough deliberation among our student assistants, we crafted a theme that uniquely showcased AAEE's extensive experience in Nepal.
The theme: "You wish to aid individuals living in poverty in Nepal, a least developed country, and you have decided to donate 100,000 yen from your own funds. How would you choose to support them from the following options? (1) Donate to Nepalese grassroots aid workers (2) Support a large-scale organization like the United Nations (3) Others"
Group discussions took place in teams of four, yielding a diverse range of opinions. One group favored promoting grassroots activities to provide visible assistance, another felt that the issue should be entrusted to global organizations like the United Nations and JICA, while another introduced a fresh idea of utilizing the 100,000 yen as an initial fund for a public-oriented project. Thanks to all participants, we engaged in profound discussions.
Additionally, the exchange of opinions among participants from diverse backgrounds enriched the discourse. The multitude of suggestions greatly contributes to our future initiatives. This event allowed participants to realize the complexities of international cooperation and the greatness in overcoming such challenges. As organizers, our message centered on the importance of international exchange and cooperation, irrespective of its form. Establishing trust with local communities emerges as vital for effective support.
＜Part 4: Introduction of AAEE's Future Endeavors
(1) Team Mero Sathi Event for Middle and High School Students
This newly launched project by AAEE student assistants aims to have AAEE program participants actively share their experiences with middle and high school students. Through engagement with the upcoming generation, who bear the responsibility for society's future, AAEE participants aspire to broaden horizons and foster acceptance of diversity.
(2) Nepal Student Exchange Program in February
We introduced the "Mero Sathi Project," an international student exchange program scheduled for Nepal next February. This year's program revolves around the theme "Contemplating Happiness." Over two weeks, students from Japan and Nepal will engage in conversations and conduct research (specific research content to be decided through participant discussions). "Happiness" emerges as a recurring term in reports from past participants. This time, we've chosen to delve into the fundamental aspect of human existence, "happiness," diverting from our previous focus on weighty issues like poverty, earthquake impact, and inequality. We envision this as an opportunity for introspection.
Through comprehensive reports on the two international exchange programs and focused thematic discussions, we orchestrated an enriching and educational event. Attendees also contributed significantly to our learning. We trust that this event has augmented awareness about our organization (AAEE) and stoked interest in our programs.
We express heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and JICA Earth for their backing, to event attendees, and those who facilitated with venues and support.
