A delegation of ten students has departed the Lao PDR for Japan to participate in a programme conducted under the framework of JENESYS 2022 supported by the Government of Japan.
The Youth Leaders Exchange aims to develop the leadership skills of the younger generations from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste that will enable them to play key roles in problem solving and crisis resolution in the future.
This capacity and experience will be of benefit not only within the ASEAN region but also between Japan and ASEAN nations by utilizing Japan’s experiences and technologies.
The ten Lao student participants were selected in cooperation with the Lao Youth Union and the Japan International Cooperation Centre (JICE), an official agency for JENESYS 2022.
In addition to talented candidates from Vientiane’s University and Institute, outstanding students from Luang Prabang’s Souphanouvong University, Savannakhet University and Champassak University were also nominated for this programme.
Students from the Lao PDR together with fellows from participating countries are allocated into five groups to discuss and deepen understanding on group themes: Sightseeing, Internet, Agriculture, Labour and Urban Development.
In addition to attending lectures, visiting facilities and key industries, participants will experience cross-cultural events, workshops and discussions with local people in Japan. Participants are expected to share and promote mutual understanding from their experiences, learnings and insights with wider audiences utilizing social networking services (SNS) during their 8-day stay in Japan and also after returning home.
JENESYS or Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths, is a youth-focused people-to-people exchange programme between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
More than 2,100 Lao young people have been to Japan for such exchanges since JENESYS’ establishment in 2007. In-person visits to Japan have been restarted after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that these exchanges will continue to promote mutual trust and understanding among the participating nations’ younger generations to build strong foundations for the long-term friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Lao PDR.
Source: Lao News Agency