TC Activities TCS Held the 18th CJK Children’s Story Exchange Program (Alumni Program)
2024-08-17 ~ 2024-08-23
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From August 17th to 23rd, 2024, the CJK Children’s Story Exchange (CSE) program took place in Tokyo and Gunma, Japan. This year, the program welcomed 100 elementary students from Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) who participated in the main storybook-making event. Additionally, 18 alumni students from previous CJK programs participated in a special sub-program focused on cultural exchange activities and networking. The children's program was organized by the National Institute for Youth Education (NIYE), while the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), serving as the official co-organizer of the alumni program, coordinated the alumni event.
At the opening ceremony, TCS Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji emphasized that this year's theme, "water," symbolizes the vital cross-border cooperation among the three countries. He referenced the recent 9th Trilateral Summit held in May 2024, noting that initiatives like the Children’s Story Exchange were affirmed during the summit as crucial for fostering international collaboration. He expressed hope that the success of this project would inspire greater cooperation among the younger generation, who will shape the future of CJK relations.
The Alumni Program commenced on August 17th with a series of engaging activities in Tokyo. Alumni participants took part in orientation sessions, icebreaking activities, game nights, lectures, and a creative workshops. These activities laid the groundwork for meaningful interactions and set the tone for the rest of the program.
From August 19th to 23rd, the alumni participants continued their journey in Gunma, where they engaged in a variety of enriching cultural activities. These included site visits to the Shorinzan Daruma Temple, Kamitsukeno Sato Museum, Harada Farm, Mizukikoukan (Water Journey Museum), among other significant cultural locations. A highlight of the program was the group performances prepared by the alumni participants, which were showcased in front of the children participants and representatives from the CJK host institutions. These performances served as a testament to the bonds of friendship formed during the program.
The CJK Children’s Story Exchange Program was first established in 2002 in Japan, with the goal of encouraging reading and promoting mutual understanding among children from Japan, China, and the ROK through storybooks and fairytales. In 2011, the program adopted a trilateral format, with the three countries agreeing to host the event on a rotational basis.
The Alumni Program, launched in 2013, has become a vital component of the CSE initiative. Since 2017, when the CSE was held in Seoul, ROK, TCS has been designated as the official co-organizer of the Alumni Program, taking responsibility for the program’s coordination.
▲Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI delivering Congratulatory Remarks
▲Group Photo
