“The AFS Youth Assembly is a unique opportunity for young people to have hope for a bright future and the confidence to make a breakthrough toward it. Powerful young delegates gather and ideas are sparked.”
I am leading a project to provide young people with opportunities to experience different cultures in my local area, Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture in Japan. Okinawa is a popular tourist destination with unique cultures and biodiversity. However, it also faces significant challenges such as the economy and national security due to its complicated history before and after World War II.
I believe that access to quality education is essential to solving these social problems, especially intercultural learning. To this end, I have set up a volunteer program to host AFS exchange students. Spending time with exchange students is a valuable experience for young people to become aware of various aspects of their daily lives relative to their own position. And we can overcome our differences and understand each other with this realization.