Greetings JETAA Toronto!
As your Canada Representative, I would like to share news from the recent JETAA International meeting that took place in Edinburgh, Scotland from Oct 1-3, 2010. Fifteen of 18 countries participated this year. I had the privilege and opportunity to share about the growth and activities of all seven chapters across Canada, as well as the issues and concerns affecting JET alumni from far and wide (as shared to me by your local chapters).
Representatives from Japanese government agencies CLAIR (The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) were there to address concerns about the future of the JET Programme. They also expressed their appreciation for all the more than18 JETAA Country Chapters across the world who sent in “Because of JET Success Stories’ – an amalgamation of stories collected by CLAIR Tokyo from JET alumni around the world (50 came from Canada!).
The Canadian JET success stories were received very well, and continued to strengthen the validity and quality of people who represent the JET Programme and their positive ties to Japan as a result of it. It was reported directly from MOFA that the JET Programme is safe for the foreseeable future, however with the current economic situation in Japan, cuts have taken place throughout JETAA and chapters both internationally and locally have had to manage with smaller budgets this year.
Also, due to changes in the budget for both CLAIR and MOFA, there will not be an International Meeting in 2011. However, CLAIR and MOFA will revisit feasibility of funding for an International Meeting in 2012 and one of our missions as JETAA International will be to provide ideas and suggestions for additional funding.
A focus of this year’s conference was on strengthening our online presence. Discussions and presentations among the 15 delegates attending included: How to improve our technology footprint, better use of social media platforms and websites to practice more effective outreach and communication, how to be more effective in engaging our 50 000+ members, clarification on the process of adding new chapters to support membership and JET Programme participant countries where JETAA International is not currently operating, as well as equipping our membership with the tools to best communicate the value that JETAA and the JET Programme bring to Japan and around the world.
For more information on the recent conference including who is serving on the International Executive, please read this press release from JETAA International. Visit jetaaalumni.org for more information about JETAA International!
Many thanks for your support and thank you for the opportunity to be your JETAA Canada Representative!
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu,
Jamiena (Jamie) Shah
jetaa.canada@gmail.com