2012年4月1日Japan-Korea Youth Exchange Programme
“The Japan-Korea Youth Exchange Programme was held from 4 to 11 January 2012, with 91 Korean Girl Scouts visiting Japan. The delegation was divided into six groups which took part in exchange programmes with Hokkaido, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama and Oita Councils. This year, too, each group spent the entire period in one location and experienced distinctive regional programmes with local residents.
Implementation of the exchange programme in FY2011 was threatened by the effects of the earthquake, but the strong desire of the host councils moved Girl Scouts of Korea to send the delegation and the programme was safely accomplished.
This year was the 13th year of the programme. As previously, Japanese junior high and high school age girls formed the executive committee and were responsible for executing the programme, from deciding the concept and theme of the programme to actually running it, while the leaders provided a support system. Through the programme, the girls experienced Japanese new year culture, interacted with local residents, made courtesy visits, and strengthened their awareness that “”they must not keep the experience to themselves, but must fully exploit it to become a bridge between the two countries.”
