Guideline of the
International Youth Development Exchange Program for 2014
The International Youth Development Exchange Program (Japanese Youth Goodwill
Mission and the Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan) was commenced in 1994 to commemorate
the royal marriage of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince in 1993, succeeding and
expanding the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission commenced in 1959 as a commemorative
program for the royal marriage of His Majesty the Emperor (His Imperial Highness the Crown
Prince at that time) and the Invitation of Foreign Youth Program commenced in 1962.
Ⅰ Purpose
The purpose of the International Youth Development Exchange Program is to promote
mutual friendship and understanding between Japanese youths and youths of the visited
countries, and to broaden the international perspectives of the Japanese youth so as to foster
the spirit of international cooperation and develop their ability to take a responsible role in
actual international cooperation situations. As such, the objective of the program is to nurture
youths who can demonstrate leadership in a global society and contribute to the activities that
benefit society, such as encouraging sound development of other youths.
Ⅱ Outline
The International Youth Development Exchange Program consists of two programs; the
Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission and the Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan. The 2014
exchange programs will be taking place with the Dominican Republic, the Republic of
Estonia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Invitation of Foreign Youth to
Japan will be added following three countries; Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the
State of Qatar and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan
(1) Countries to be invited
6 countries to be invited below:
Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lao
People’s Democratic Republic, State of Qatar and United Republic of Tanzania
(2) Number of youths to be invited
A delegation of 10 members consisting of one leader and 9 youths will be invited
from Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia and Lao People’s Democratic
Republic.
A delegation of 8 members consisting of one leader and 7 youths will be invited
from Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Qatar and United Republic of
Tanzania.
(3) Duration of the Invitation
16 days from Tuesday, September 23 to Wednesday, October 8, 2014
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(4) Schedule in Japan
The invitees will participate in the below activities according to the schedule in
Japan made by Cabinet office of Japan.
① Tokyo Program
The invitees attend International Youth Conference to discuss and
introduce the situation in respective countries as well as conducting
institutional visits based on designated topics with Japanese youths who join
the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission for 2014.
② Local Program
The invitees will engage in institutional visits, intensive overnight
exchange program with Japanese youths as well as homestay.
Also, there will be an opportunity for introducing their cultures of respective
countries during the program in Tokyo and local area.
(5)
①
A.
B.
Qualifications of Leader and Youth to be invited
Leader:
be fluent in English(Leader delivers a speech in English on official occasions).
be engaged in works which are related to international youth exchange
programs at government agency or related organization hopefully.
C. be capable of leading participating youths.
D. be able to participate in all activities with the other youths to be invited
together according to the program schedule.
② Participating Youth:
A. 18 to 30 years old ( be born after April 2, 1983 to April 1, 1996) as of April 1, 2014.
B. be interested in Japan and expected to promote friendship and spread mutual exchange
between Japan and respective countries.
C. be engaged in activities for youth or expected to play an active role in the activities for
youth near future.
D. have an ability to conduct discussion session (at least have an English proficiency for daily
conversation). In addition, at least one participating youth in the group must be fluent in
English.
E. have considerable knowledge or special skills about their society, culture, etc.
F. be sound in mind and body, cooperative and able to carry out group activities orderly
throughout the program.
G. must be able to participate in all the programs from the time of departure and arrive back to
their own countries.
H. in principle, be a first-time visitor to Japan, no experience of studying or training in Japan.
I. preferably take an initiative in participating in exchange program including
intensive overnight discussion program to be held in each country when
Japanese youths visit the country.
③ Nomination of a representative youth
Each country nominates one youth from the Participating Youths of the
delegation.
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(6) Submission of the Report
The Leader and the Participating Youths shall submit the reports on the
activities during the program (in English) upon the request by the Cabinet
Office.
(7) Expense
① The Cabinet Office shall in principle, bear the following expenses:
A. Economy class round-trip airfare (including fuel surcharge, airport fee and
relevant duties, but excluding excess baggage charge) between Japan and
each country (via international airports designated by the Cabinet Office).
B. Expenses of the stay in Japan based on the country program in Japan
(including hotel accommodation fees (except for incidental charges), and
transportation charges).
C. Travel insurance charges covering medical treatment costs and
hospitalization due to sickness or accidents during the program in Japan.
② Expenses for the following items shall be borne by the leader and the
participating youth;
A. Travel expenses between the participant’s home and the international airport
designated by the Cabinet Office
B. Charges for issuing passports and visas
C. Expense for returning home when disqualified from participating in the
program according to II(6) ④. (There will be an exception in case either death
or critical condition of the concerned participant’s immediate family such as
parents, spouse, children, brothers and sisters, or if the concerned participant’s
illness or injury does not allow him/her to continue the program, and the
leader of the delegation disqualifies the participant) and expenses for illness,
injuries and accidents not covered by the insurance policy provided by the
Cabinet Office
D. Excess baggage charges during the round trip flights, incidental charges at
hotels, personal expenses and other incidental charges.
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