REGISTRATION IS
CLOSED
for the 36th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention!
JASH is proud to be the Hawaii-region Liaison Office for the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC), an annual global leadership program held in Fukuoka, Japan for over 200 students from over 40 regions throughout Asia and the Pacific. JASH has been the coordinating office for the APCC since 2003.
Typically held in mid-July, JASH sends a small delegation of 10 or 11-year-old Junior Ambassadors (JAs) to Fukuoka, Japan to interact with over 200 other student peers from over 40 countries and regions at the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention. They also participate in a home-stay where they experience living with a Japanese family in Fukuoka. Our delegation is accompanied by an adult chaperone, who has also passed a selective screening and interview process. JAs may also be eligible to travel back to Fukuoka as young adults as part of the APCC's Peace Ambassador program.
To prepare for the program, our JAs and chaperone learn about Japan and the Pacific through a series of mandatory weekend workshops. These workshops prepare our delegation for their international journey, helping them build the skills they'll need to represent our islands as Hawaii's Junior Ambassadors.
The APCC program provides the actual experience for students to travel to Japan and reinforce the concept of Different Perspectives introduced and taught in our Japan-in-a-Suitcase programs. The life skills learned through this program— including cross-cultural understanding, multilingual communication, leadership, and teamwork— foster our Junior Ambassadors as the next generation of Nichibei Leaders.
To join our APCC listserv or for questions about the program, please contact JASH Educational Programs Coordinator Eiko Ushida at eushida@jashawaii.org.
ABOUT THE APCC
From the APCC Website: The APCC was founded by the Fukuoka Junior Chamber and was part of the 1989 Asian-Pacific Exposition, an event to celebrate Fukuoka City’s 100th anniversary. By holding the APCC, we hope to foster “Global Citizens” who are able to think of the world beyond national boundaries and desire world “Peace and Co-existence.” Through the APCC, children who will shape the world in the 21st century gather together in Fukuoka and gain mutual understanding of different cultures and traditions through home stay and cultural exchange.
ASIAN-PACIFIC
CHILDREN’S CONVENTION
ABOUT THE 2024 PROGRAM
The 2024 program includes two parts: The first component is our in-person JASH Workshops, where students will explore Japanese and Hawaiian culture, teamwork and communication development, and global citizenship beginning in March; the second component is the in-person APCC international youth camp and homestay from July 12-23, 2024.
All of our preparatory workshops are mandatory; participants who are unable to attend all of our scheduled events may be asked to leave the program. Please carefully review all of the information in the application before applying.
PROGRAM APPLICATION DETAILS:
JASH will select 4 students (2 girls, 2 boys) born between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013 (10-11 years old) to serve as our 2024 Junior Ambassadors.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE:
Interested in meeting new people from diverse backgrounds
Able to share about local cultures, customs, and traditions
Excited to try new foods and experiences
Willing to break out of their comfort zone
The application period for 2024 has ended.
Please contact Eiko at eushida@jashawaii.org with any questions on this program.
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02/12/24 | Applications due Monday to the JASH Office
02/23/24 | Update on application status sent by Friday
03/02/24 | In-person interviews (by invitation) on Saturday
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(9) handwritten short-answer questions
(2) teacher recommendation forms
(1) photo of the applicant
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Born between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013
Able to attend mandatory monthly Saturday morning workshops in Honolulu
Available to attend the program in Fukuoka, Japan from July 12-23, 2024
In possession of a valid passport by early March 2024
From any island throughout the State of Hawaii!
MESSAGES FROM APCC ALUMNI
“JASH positively impacted fundamental years of my life. Being a JA at the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention opened my eyes to global cultures and traditions. Thanks to JASH, I continually say yes to exploring the new and unfamiliar, and I have created lasting bonds with friends from around the world. Mahalo, JASH!"
— Kristen Izuo (2010 JA, 2019 PA)
"In 2011, I was overjoyed when JASH selected me, eleven years old at the time, to represent Hawaii and share my culture with kids from all over the world. In my short time in Japan, I learned about creating and maintaining global connections... Because of JASH and BCH, my dream has been to connect with and impact people from all over the world through my language and communication skills. I am thoroughly excited to continue growing as a global citizen through the special Peace Ambassador program to further international communication and understanding between different cultural groups."
— Betsy Wo (2011 JA, 2022 PA)
BRIDGE CLUB HAWAII
Bridge Club Hawaii (BCH) is an APCC alumni organization run by former Junior Ambassadors. This is a great way to keep in touch with our local Hawaii APCC network through their various social and community service events. BCH also assists JASH in preparing our new delegations for their trip abroad.
Former JAs who are active members of BCH are also eligible to return to Fukuoka as Peace Ambassadors (PAs) to continue their growth as global citizens in years the PA program is made available by the APCC.
To learn more about BCH, visit their Facebook Page.