(KPL) For the first time since before the COVID-19, a delegation of 37 Lao students and two supervisors are headed to Japan to participate in either “Japan-Laos Environment Exchange” or “Japan-Laos Language and Culture Exchange” under JENESYS 2022 supported by the Government of Japan.

JENESYS or Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths, is the youth-focused people-to-people exchange program between Japan and the Asia- Pacific region. More than 2,100 Lao young people have been to Japan for exchanges since JENESYS’ establishment in 2007. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face exchange programs were suspended. However, several online programs were conducted to continue to encourage awareness of Japan’s economy, society, history, culture, politics, and diplomatic relations abroad.

“Japan-Laos Environment Exchange” and “Japan-Laos Language and Culture Exchange” are set to be held as the first such face-to-face exchanges conducted in Japan since the global pandemic was declared. The Lao participants in the two programs were selected in cooperation with the Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the National University of Laos, and Japanese language institutes in the Lao PDR, respectively.

During their 7-day stay in Japan, participants will also visit historic landmarks and institutions related to the program theme, in addition to experiencing school exchanges and traditional culture. They are set to share and promote their experiences, learnings and insights with wider audiences at home and abroad utilizing social networking services (SNS). While in Japan the Lao students will create and present an Action Plan which is set to be implemented after returning to the Lao PDR.

These exchanges promise a welcome restart of face-to-face interactions between youth under JENESYS’s widely-known and appreciated exchange programs. It is expected that these and future exchanges will continue to promote mutual trust and understanding among the nation's younger generations to build strong foundations for long-term friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Lao PDR.

KPL