Schedule

※1　Cosponsored by the Asia Forum in Ishikawa Committee

※2　Organized in cooperation with Nara Women’s University

Program Contents

★Keynote Speech

Dr. Shihoko NEMOTO, Associate Professor of Nihon University College of Economics, spoke on “What we can do now – Japan and the World”. The participants learned that it is imperative for each of them to recognize that the world is now standing at a historic crossroad in the wake of the East Japan Earthquake, and to proactively contribute to the global community from their respective countries’ perspectives while respecting other countries and individuals.

★Student Sessions
The participants were divided into three groups and deepened their understanding of the problems currently Japan is facing. They then discussed how to revitalize Japan which is often said to be losing its former attractiveness. Subsequently, through cooperation and planning by the AIESEC in Japan University of Tokyo Local Committee, the students engaged in discussion, toured the University of Tokyo campus, and took part in Fieldwork in the Tokyo’s Old Town area called “Shita-Machi”.

★Hakusan City Program
After visiting Chiyo-Jo Haiku Museum, the international students took lessons in creating haiku and practiced composing their own poetry in Japanese.

★Asia Forum in Ishikawa
This program included Kanazawa City Tour, Japanese Culture Experience,Fieldwork to a disaster-prevention facility, Lectures and Group Discussions in accordance with the theme　this year, “Overcoming the Disaster – What the young can do; our ideas from Ishikawa”. The students presented their achievements at the “2011 Asia Forum in Ishikawa”, an open symposium held on the last day of the program. Fifteen Japanese Buddy-Students from Ishikawa Prefecture also participated in the program and played a leading role in this Fieldwork and presentation.
※Coordinator: Dr. Matsuharu KAWABATA, Lecturer, Kanazawa University & Kanazawa Gakuin University

★International Exchange Festival
After the forum, all students joined the “International Exchange Festival”.They enjoyed a powerful taiko drum performance by the “Kaga Honen DaikoOkimachi Preservation Society” in Matsudera, Kanazawa City. Both international and Japanese students also performed their own performances and deepened friendship and exchanges with local people.

★Nara Program
Scholars experienced Japanese tea ceremony and engaged in Group Fieldwork together with voluntary students from Nara Women’s University. In the Fieldwork, students visited the residents of NARAMACHI Town who are playing leading roles in urban development efforts and interviewed them on their innovative activities.
※Coordinator:Dr. Masaya MASUI, Professor of Nara Women's University

★Homestay
Homestay experiences with Japanese families in Ishikawa and Tokyo, with the aim of deepening students’ understanding of Japan through first-hand experience of Japanese life and customs.This year, sixteen families of Japan Airlines employees and retirees acted as host families in Tokyo, and 10 volunteer families cooperated in the program as host families in Ishikawa.

★Farewell Ceremony