The 20th Asian-Pacific Children's Convention will be held in Fukuoka, Japan from July 9-24, 2008. Please click here to download the criteria and application.

On Monday, July 3, 2007, the eight 19th Annual Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) Junior Ambassadors (JAs) had the opportunity to meet with Governor Linda Lingle to discuss their upcoming trip to Fukuoka, Japan. During the meeting, the Governor shared her experiences from a recent trip to Japan, and presented each JA with a personal commendation. She graciously invited the JAs to visit her again upon their return. The Society greatly appreciates the Governor for taking the time to meet with our JAs before and after their trip to Fukuoka.

Each year, the Society selects eight 11-year-old students (four boys and four girls) from across the state to take part in a two-week convention in July as Junior Ambassadors (JAs) at the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka, Japan. The purpose of the APCC is to promote international cooperation between children so that they will become adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. Children from more than 35 countries/regions throughout the Asian-Pacific Rim are invited to participate every year. During the first week, the JAs participate in a Global Exchange camp, where they interact with 350 children from different countries, while the second week is spent with a Japanese homestay family. This year, the JAs traveled to Japan from July 11-24, 2007. Since 1989, more than 6,000 Junior Ambassadors have traveled to Fukuoka.

Prior to their trip, JASH conducts monthly training workshops for the eight students to develop team-building skills and learn about the APCC. They also complete monthly assignments such as research reports on Japan, Hawaii, and other countries attending the APCC, as well as current events.

The students will travel to Japan with a JASH volunteer chaperone as parents are not allowed to accompany the JAs.

Please visit the official APCC website at http://www.apcc.gr.jp/e for further information.