Young people ‘our future’

YOUNG people are our future and strong ties among them was key to strong and lasting relations, said ambassador of Japan, Kawakami Fumihiro during the Japan East-Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) project ceremony.

As many as 280 students from the University of the South Pacific (USP) were awarded JENESYS 2020 and 2021 certificates which was fully funded by the government of Japan.

“The aim is to develop cohesive societies in coming years,” Mr Fumihiro said.

“To date, 1960 youths from 14 Pacific Island countries have benefited from this project and this will contribute to unity, friendship and peace between our countries simply because the youths are always the future.”

In a statement, JENESYS said 2022 would mark 10 years of Japan’s continued people to people exchange partnership with USP.

The program offered study tours to Japan under various educational themes such as peacebuilding, history and culture, sports, environment, ocean resource conservation and sustainable development goals.

USP deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president, Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga said the project would see the building of closer relations between Japan and the Pacific Island countries.

“The impact of the pandemic on the project was overwhelming,” he said.

“Students had to visit Japan through the different gadgets they had as governments had closed their borders and the JENESYS team at USP continued to implement the virtual tours to ensure meaningful participation by all selected young people.”

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