The JET Alumni Association has over 23,000 members registered internationally, with 52 regional chapters spread across 17 countries. JETAA Chapters pay an important role in the promotion of Japanese culture in their local communities, fostering and supporting grassroots linkages. Here is an update of some of the recent activities of JETAA chapters internationally.
JETAA Tokyo: MInna-no-Mori
JETAA Tokyo is the most recent addition to the JETAA family, serving former JET participants living in and around the Greater Tokyo Area. The chapter has organised monthly social events, CV workshops and voluntary activities, such as participation at a local soup kitchen.One of their most notable recent events took place on a hot day at the end of June. Several members of JETAA Tokyo, along with their many friends and family enjoyed a day with Local NGO Minna no Mori clearing trees and undergrowth in western Tokyo.
Takuma Horiuchi of the Minna no Mori foundation commented; “We appreciate that time JETAA members have participated our activity. This was first time for us to accept people from outside of Japan, and explain about us in English. We believe that the new relationship between Japan and other countries is started to create by those people have performed community service. This is very new to us, Japan.”
JETAA New Zealand: School Film Competition
The JETAA New Zealand National School Japanese DVD Competition is an annual event which encourages students who are studying Japanese language to produce a film to share with students in Japan about some aspects of their life. The short films last between 2 and 5 minutes and can cover a range of topics about the entrants lives in New Zealand, including daily life, school events, sports, their neighbourhood, local history, culture, etc. Winning films will be sent with New Zealand participants of the JET Programme departing for Japan in 2011, to educate Japanese high school students about life in New Zealand.
An example of one of the entries submitted by Year 12/13 students at Lincon High School in Christchurch is shown below.
JETAA UK: Careers Information Day / International Meeting
JETAA UK has had a busy couple of months, hosting the Annual Careers information Day in London and JETAA International Meeting in Edinburgh.
Over 100 former JETs participated in the annual Careers Information Day held at the Royal Overseas League in London on 24th September. The Careers Information Day offers invaluable advice and the opportunity to meet ex-JETs, employers, recruitment agencies and universities to discover more about opportunities and the UK job market in general. The event included ten seminar sessions, with speakers covering topics such as 'Starting Your Own Business,' 'Postgraduate Study,' and 'Using Your Japanese.' Exhibitors attended from various organisations, including accountancy firms, Japanese recruitment agencies and teaching organisations.
Meanwhile, JETAA Scotland hosted delgates from 15 countries with active JETAA Chapters at an International Meeting in Edinburgh. The event facilitated dialogue on the future of the organisation, effective use of technology and the exchange of ideas for events and initiatives which communicate the value that JETAA and the JET Programme bring to Japan. A press release from JETAA International outlining the outcome of the meeting can be opened below.
