Kizuna Project: Pacific-Japan Youth Connection

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is pleased to announce a new initiative in partnership with the Government of Japan, entitled Kizuna (Bonds of Friendship) Project which will provide fully funded two-week study tours to Japan for high school and university students from 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Purpose of the programme

On May 26, 2012, the Pacific Leaders at the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM6) adopted the Okinawa “Kizuna” Declaration, which refers to the announcement by the Government of Japan on the “Kizuna Project”. This Project is to build closer relations amongst the youth of Pacific Island Countries and Japan and to foster an ongoing interest in one another by providing first-hand experiences. The Project also promotes the understanding about the recovery efforts after the earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011, and current situations in Japan.

The 14 PICs in this Programme include Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 22 students will be carefully selected from each PIC, and one adult supervisor to form a country team to participate in this programme.

This two-week programme of travel to Japan (10 nights in Japan) will take place between late August to November 2012. Students will not be allowed to arrive early or arrange a longer stay in Japan, nor can they travel from Japan to another country before or after the programme. Each group will consist of exactly 22 students and one adult supervisor.

Programme activities:

• Pre-departure Induction in each home country;
• Orientation upon arrival in Japan;
• Study visits in Tokyo, including historical and industrial sites;
• Exchange programs with schools and opportunity to volunteer in a community affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake;
• Visit to a local community; and
• Wrap-up sessions.

Programme covers the costs of:

• Travel to Japan as per travel itinerary;
• Domestic transportation in Japan as per itinerary ;
• Accommodation and meals during your stay in Japan;
• Coverage of travel accident insurance; and
• A Japanese escort will guide each group throughout this experience in Japan.

This programme does not cover the costs other than those explicitly described above. The examples of costs not covered are:

• Travel to and from your home to the nearest International Airport;
• All personal expenses such as long distance phone calls at the host site, internet charges and personal purchases such as gifts, souvenirs etc;
• Excess (or overweight) baggage fees; and
• Passport fees.

Tentative tour dates:

• To be confirmed; departing between late August to November 2012.

Student selection criteria:

• Enrolled as a full-time high school student/undergraduate university student;
• Must be 16 years of age or in a high school grade equivalent to Fiji Form 5 level, or above;
• Must be a citizen of, and currently residing and studying in one of the following Pacific Island Countries – Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu; and
• Must have a valid Passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay), or to obtain a passport before August, 2012.

How to apply

Students can apply online at www.usp.ac.fj/kizuna 
Application forms are also available at the USP Campuses, Ministry of Education and respective high schools in your region. Please submit your completed application form by August 23, 2012 July 31, 2012. You can either post your application form to c/o Kizuna Project Coordinator, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration & Regional Campuses), University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Fiji; or email to vadapareti_s(at)usp.ac.fj or deliver to a USP campus near you.
Please check for updates on www.usp.ac.fj/kizuna