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Asian Pacific Children's Convention
Applications are now available for the 24th Asian-Pacific Children's Convention!
The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) is looking for applicants to participate in the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka, Japan scheduled for July 13 - 25, 2012. JASH will select six 11-year old students (three boys and three girls) as Junior Ambassadors (JAs) to interact with nearly 250 11-year olds from over 40 Asian-Pacific countries and regions. The JAs will spend one week with a Japanese host family and three days at the APCC global youth camp. It is hoped that by the children taking part in the APCC, they will build a network of mutual understanding as they meet and make friends with others who look and speak differently than themselves.
Since it began, more than 7,000 JAs have visited Fukuoka with the APCC. In preparation for the trip, JASH conducts monthly training workshops for the six JAs to develop team-building skills and also to learn about the other countries taking part in the APCC.
Although the selection process is very competitive, the experience is invaluable. Besides having an interest in Japan, the only criteria for the program is that the student must be born between September 1, 2000 and August 31, 2001.
Objectives of the APCC are:
- To generate appreciation for a variety of cultures through exchange between
children from all over the Asia-Pacific region.
- To promote mutual understanding throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
- To raise young people with a global perspective who will work to increase
international awareness in their local community.
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Please click here to access the APCC application and checklist. Please note that the entire document must be mailed to JASH at P.O. Box 1412; Honolulu, HI 96806. All applications must be postmarked by Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Based on the application submitted, students will be invited for a mandatory interview on Saturday, January 28, 2012 as part of the selection process.
If you should have any questions, please contact the APCC Program Director, Elizabeth Stanton-Barrera, at ebarrera@jashawaii.org or by calling 524-4450.
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On July 25, the APCC delegates returned home to Honolulu after a ten day stay in Fukuoka, Japan where they took part in the 23rd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention, which was held from July 14 - 25, 2011.
Hosted by the Fukuoka government, the APCC promotes international relationships between children so that they will become adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. The Hawaii delegates spent eight days with a Japanese host family in the city of Minami-ku and two days at a camp called Global Arena with 213 children from 42 countries and cities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. They performed their hula, Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, four times while on the trip - for their host families in Minami-ku city on July 17, at the APCC "Public Relations" Event in Fukuoka City on July 18, at Kashihara Elementary School on July 20 and at the "We Are the Bridge" cultural exchange festival at Global Arena on July 23.
For the first time, JASH APCC Program Director, Elizabeth Stanton-Barrera was invited to attend a portion of the APCC as one of five liaison officers. Liaison officers from Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Fiji were also invited. She attended the camp at Global Arena on July 22 and 23 and gave a presentation to the chaperones and Peace Ambassadors about how Hawaii selects and trains its Junior Ambassadors each year.
When it was time to say goodbye to their new friends and host families, many tears were shed at the airport, but the delegates are looking forward to building on the relationship they started for many years to come.
After their return, the delegates and their parents met for one last workshop at the JASH office where they shared their experiences being a part of the APCC program this year. Everyone who attended the last workshop was pleased to hear about all that the children had learned while in Fukuoka. JASH would like to thank all of the families and friends who helped to prepare the delegation for their trip.
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| The APCC Delegates arrive in Honolulu. |
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Parents and children were both anxious and excited as the six Hawaii Junior Ambassadors (Kailoa Akaka, Kevan Elias, Ian Shigezawa, Jocelyn Bonilla, Shyen Hirabayashi, and Betsy Wo) departed for the 23rd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka, Japan on Thursday, July 14. They were accompanied by chaperone Daniel Hwang, Peace Ambassadors Jacob Saiki and Kara Tsuzaki, and former Peace Ambassador and Bridge Club Hawaii (APCC alumni association) founder Colby Takeda. For most of the Junior Ambassadors (JAs) this is their first trip overseas. They will spend a total of ten days in Fukuoka -- seven days with a host family and three days at camp with other 11-year olds from over 40 different countries.
On Tuesday, July 12, prior to their departure, the six JAs were given the opportunity to meet with Governor Neil Abercrombie in his Executive Chambers. For many of the JAs and their families this was the first time to meet the new governor. Governor Abercrombie offered friendly advice to the JAs on what it means to be an ambassador. He also emphasized to them the unique perspective of Hawaii where "diversity defines, not divides." The governor invited the JAs to meet again when they return from Japan.
The delegation will return to Honolulu on July 25.
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| The APCC delegates meet with Governor Abercrombie before their departure. |
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| The Hawaii delegation ready for departure at Honolulu Airport. |
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On Saturday, June 25, for their fifth workshop to prepare for the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention, the six Junior Ambassadors were joined by Peace Ambassador Kara Tsuzaki, Bridge Club Hawaii founder Colby Takeda, chaperones Daniel Hwang and Cheryl Parker, and JASH staff for a special workshop on "Tasting Japanese Food." The JAs were divided into three groups and went on a scavenger hunt throughout Shirokiya at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Each group was in charge of purchasing designated Japanese food from Shirokiya—chicken karaage, taiyaki, and takoyaki. They also had to explore and discover other traditional Japanese foods such as hijiki, natto, and oden. After returning to the JASH office, each group shared their findings with the other groups. In addition to sampling the Japanese food, the JAs learned that they should always be honest with their host families regarding foods they like or dislike. Not being honest may encourage the host family to serve them a food item that they'd rather not eat on a daily basis. This activity was an excellent way for the Hawaii delegates to learn about some of the food they may be given in Japan.
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The Hawaii delegates and JASH staff get ready for their scavenger hunt at Shirokiya. |
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During the weekend of April 30 - May 1, the six Junior Ambassadors accompanied by 2011 chaperone Daniel Hwang and 2012 chaperone Cheryl Parker, along with JASH staff Marsha Yokomichi and Kristi Mitchell took part in an overnight stay at Camp Erdman in Waialua. This annual outing helps the JAs bond with one another through outdoor activities and team building exercises. While at the camp, the JAs took part in a Team Development Course, had fun at the pool, played volleyball, saw a wild pig, ate s'mores while sharing stories around a campfire, and practiced their hula performance. For several of the JAs, this was their first overnight experience at a camp away from their families. The experience helped the group connect together so that they are ready to take their journey to Japan in July. The APCC delegates will leave Honolulu on July 14 and return from Fukuoka on July 25.
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| JAs Ian Shigezawa and Jocelyn Bonilla, Chaperone Daniel Hwang and PA Kara Tsuzaki help each other during the Team Development Course |
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JASH is pleased to announce that the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) office in Fukuoka Japan has selected two Peace Ambassadors this year to represent Hawaii at the 23rd annual APCC in Fukuoka in July. The two PAs are Jacob Saiki, an 11th grader at Hawaii Baptist Academy and Kara Tsuzaki, an 11th grader at Punahou School.
Peace Ambassadors are former Junior Ambassadors who will share their Bridge Club Hawaii (APCC alumni association) activities with other Peace Ambassadors from around the world at the APCC Convention in Fukuoka in order to promote understanding and friendship and expand the network of worldwide Junior Ambassadors. Both Jacob and Kara originally participated as Junior Ambassadors with the APCC in 2005. Jacob currently serves as the Bridge Club Hawaii president. Kara is the Public Relations Coordinator in the Bridge Club Hawaii. Overall, 47 Peace Ambassadors were selected world-wide - only three were selected from the United States. Jacob and Kara will be joining six APCC Junior Ambassadors from Hawaii this July when they travel to Fukuoka for the annual global youth camp.
JASH selects and prepares the Junior Ambassadors through a series of monthly workshops and team building events. JASH also selects the adult chaperone.
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(L) Peace Ambassador Jacob Saiki; (R)Peace Ambassador Kara Tsuzaki. |
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In January, JASH selected six 11-year old students (three boys and three girls) from across the state to represent Hawaii as Junior Ambassadors (JAs) at the 23rd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC), which will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 15-27, 2011. Hosted by the Fukuoka based NPO by the same name, the APCC promotes international relationships between children with the goal of them becoming adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. A total of 222 children from 43 countries and cities throughout the Asia-Pacific region have been invited to participate this year. The students will travel to Japan with a JASH volunteer chaperone, Daniel Hwang, as parents are not allowed to accompany the JAs.
After a long day of interviews and team-activities held at the JASH office, the final six JAs were selected: Jocelyn Bonilla (Holomua Elementary), Shyen Hirabayashi (Aina Haina Elementary), Betsy Wo (Punahou), Kevan Elias (Hanahau'oli School), Ian Shigezawa (Maryknoll), and Kailoa Akaka (Aina Haina Elementary).
When the JAs arrive in Fukuoka, the first day will be a Global Exchange Camp where all APCC delegates will have a chance to interact with each other. The next ten days will then be spent in a home-stay with Japanese host families.
The students will spend one Saturday each month from now until July preparing for their trip to Fukuoka. The workshops are designed to develop teamwork skills and build students' knowledge about Japan, Hawaii-Japan ties, cultural etiquette and the 42 other countries and cities that will be sending delegates to the Convention. The Hawaii delegation will also be performing a hula, taught by Shayna Kim, daughter of Makua Dori Kim, a Hawaiian studies teacher at Aina Haina Elementary.
The first workshop was held on Saturday, March 5, 2011. The 2011 Junior Ambassadors got to know each other and learned more about their responsibilities as a JA. The 2011 JAs and parents also had a chance to meet the 2010 delegates to hear about their experiences and perspectives from participating last year.
The following Saturday, on March 12, the six Junior Ambassadors and their families had the opportunity to get together again to learn more about Japan and the Pacific at the Honolulu Festival. What a unique opportunity for the kids to learn more about Japan while getting to know each other better!
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| 2011 Asian-Pacific Children's Convention Junior Ambassadors and Chaperone Daniel Hwang. |
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