The International Youth Development Exchange Program (INDEX)
The International Youth Development Exchange (INDEX) Program is an interactive project started in 1994 in commemoration of the royal marriage of H.I.H. the Crown Prince.
This program followed the Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission that commenced in 1959 to commemorate the royal marriage of the current His Majesty the Emperor who was the Crown Prince at that time and the Invitation of Foreign Youth to Japan which commenced in FY 1962.
The International Youth Development Exchange Program aims to promote mutual friendship and understanding between Japanese youths and youths of other countries; to broaden international perspectives, foster the spirit of international cooperation and enhance ability to put these principles into practice.
The objective of the program is to nurture and develop youths who can demonstrate leadership skills in various fields in global society and to encourage social contribution activities by the youths.
Sending Program
3 delegations from Japan, consisting of 12 to 14 members each, were sent to Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia, and Republic of the Union of Myanmar respectively from September 9 to 26, 2017.
The Japanese youth deepened mutual understanding in the visited countries through programs such as courtesy calls, intensive discussion sessions with local youths, performance of Japanese culture,international cooperation activities, homestay and institutional visits.
International Youth Conference
The International Youth Conference is held annually as a part of the International Youth Development Exchange (INDEX) Program, providing an opportunity for the Japanese youths dispatched overseas and the invited foreign youths of the INDEX program to meet and deepen mutual understanding.
They are expected to exchange their views through discussions of global issues, to explore ways to pursue international youth exchange between Japan and the respective countries, and to discuss how to reinforce ties among them after the program.
The result of the conference may contribute to the future development of international youth exchange.
From September 27 to 29, 2017, the youths had discussions under the theme “social participation of youth” in the three courses of Career Development, Media Literacy and Multicultural Society.
Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako observed the Discussion on September 27. At the following Tea Party, the representatives of Japanese and foreign youths were provided a rare opportunity to exchange words with His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito.
The youths participated in various institutional visits and discussions on September 28, deepening their understanding of the situation and ways of thinking in the countries.
They presented the outcome of their course discussions at the “Discussion Summary Presentation” and reviewed the result of the three-day discussions at the “Evaluation Session” by course on October 10.
Invitation Program
6 countries were invited to Japan for 16 days from September 26 to October 11, 2017.
They were delegations consisting of 5 to 10 members each from Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of Chile, Ireland, and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The foreign youths deepened their understanding of Japan through programs such as courtesy calls, discussion sessions with Japanese youths, joint cooperative activities and homestay.
Tokyo Program
After orientation, foreign youths attended the International Youth Conference from September 27 to 29, 2017.
After returning from the regional programs ,foreign youths enjoyed Tokyo City Tours guided by Japanese volunteers on October 9.
On October 10, they had the Evaluation Completion Ceremony of the Program and attended Farewell Party.
Regional Program
Foreign youths were divided into three groups and took part in regional programs during the period of September 30 to October 8.
The youths from Dominican Republic and Ireland visited Kochi Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture, those from Republic of Estonia and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan visited Hakodate City and Kagawa Prefecture, and those from Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Republic of Chile visited Okinawa Prefecture and Nara Prefecture experiencing discussions with local youths, traditional culture and home-stay.
Japanese youths’ “The International Youth Exchange Program (aircraft) Fair”
Japanese youths who participated in the fiscal year 2017 International Youth Exchange Programs of the Cabinet Office (aircraft programs: INDEX, Japan-China Youth Goodwill Exchange Program and Japan-Korea Youth Goodwill Exchange Program) planned and organized “The International Youth Exchange Program Fair” to introduce their activities and achievements to the public on February 4, 2018.