International Youth Development Exchange Program for 2014
Guideline of the
International Youth Development Exchange Program for 2014
The International Youth Development Exchange Program (Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission and the Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan) was commenced in 1994 to commemorate the royal marriage of His Imperial Highnessthe Crown Prince in 1993, succeeding and expanding the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission commenced in 1959 as a commemorative program for the royal marriageof His Majesty the Emperor (His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince at that time) and the Invitation of Foreign Youth Program commenced in 1962.
ⅠPurpose
The purpose of the International Youth Development Exchange Program is to promote mutual friendship and understanding between Japanese youths and youths of the visited countries, and to broaden the international perspectives of the Japanese youth so as to foster the spirit of international cooperation and develop their ability to take a responsible role in actual international cooperation situations. As such, the objective of the program is to nurture youths who can demonstrate leadership in a global society and contribute to the activities that benefit society, such as encouraging sound development of other youths.
ⅡOutline
The International Youth Development Exchange Program consists of two programs; the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission and the Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan. The 2014 exchange programs will be taking place with the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Estonia, andthe Lao People’s Democratic Republic.Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan will be added following three countries; Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,the State of Qatar and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan
(1)Countries to be invited
6 countries to be invited below:
Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia,Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, State of Qatar and United Republic of Tanzania
(2) Number of youths to be invited
A delegation of 10 members consisting of one leader and 9 youths will be invited from Dominican Republic,Republic of Estonia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
A delegation of 8 members consisting of one leader and 7 youths will be invited from Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Qatar and United Republic of Tanzania.
(3)Duration of the Invitation
16 days from Tuesday, September23 to Wednesday, October 8, 2014
(4)Schedule in Japan
The invitees will participate in the below activities according to the schedule in Japan made by Cabinet office of Japan.
①Tokyo Program
The invitees attend International Youth Conferenceto discuss and introduce the situation in respective countries as well as conducting institutional visits based on designated topics with Japanese youths who join the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission for 2014.
② Local Program
The invitees will engage in institutional visits, intensive overnight exchange program with Japanese youths as well as homestay.
Also, there will be an opportunity for introducing their cultures of respective countries during the program in Tokyo and local area.
(5)Qualifications of Leader and Youth to be invited
① Leader:
A. be fluent in English(Leader delivers a speech in English on official occasions).
B. be engaged in works which are related to international youth exchange programs at government agency or related organization hopefully.
C. be capable ofleading participating youths.
D. be able to participate in all activities with the other youths to be invited together according to the program schedule.
② Participating Youth:
A. 18 to 30 years old ( be born after April 2, 1983 to April 1, 1996) as of April 1, 2014.
B. be interested in Japan and expected to promote friendship and spread mutual exchange between Japan and respective countries.
C. be engaged in activities for youth or expected to play an active role in the activities for youth near future.
D. have an ability to conduct discussion session (at least have an English proficiency for daily conversation). In addition, at least one participating youth in the group must be fluent in English.
E. have considerable knowledge or special skills about their society, culture, etc.
F. be sound in mind and body, cooperative and able to carry out group activities orderly throughout the program.
G. mustbe able to participate in all the programs from the time of departure and arrive back to their own countries.
H. in principle, be a first-time visitor to Japan, no experience of studying or training in Japan.
I. preferably take an initiative in participating in exchange program including intensive overnight discussion program to be held in each country when Japanese youths visit the country.
③ Nomination of a representative youth
Each country nominates one youth from the Participating Youths of the delegation.
(6)Submission of the Report
The Leader and the Participating Youths shall submit the reports on the activities during the program (in English) upon the request by the Cabinet Office.
(7) Expense
①The Cabinet Office shall in principle, bear the following expenses:
A. Economy class round-trip airfare (including fuel surcharge, airport fee andrelevantduties, but excluding excess baggage charge) between Japan and each country (via international airports designated by the Cabinet Office).
B. Expenses of the stay in Japan based on the country program in Japan (including hotelaccommodation fees (except for incidental charges), and transportation charges).
C. Travel insurance charges covering medical treatment costs and hospitalization due tosickness or accidents during the program in Japan.
②Expenses for the following items shall be borne by the leader and the participating youth;
A. Travel expenses between the participant’s home and the international airport designatedby the Cabinet Office
B. Charges for issuing passports and visas
C. Expense for returning home when disqualified from participating in the program according to II(6) ④. (There will be an exception in case either death or critical condition of the concerned participant’s immediate family such as parents, spouse, children, brothers and sisters, or if the concerned participant’s illness or injury does not allow him/her to continue the program, and the leader of the delegation disqualifies the participant) and expenses for illness, injuries and accidents not covered by the insurance policy provided by the Cabinet Office
D. Excess baggage charges during the round trip flights, incidental charges at hotels,personal expenses and other incidental charges.
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