TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Welcome Event in Chubu-Hokuriku Region: Aiming To Make the World a Little Better with a Lively Alumni Discussion

On June 2, 2019, the Chubu-Hokuriku region kicked-off its TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Welcome Event . The event was hosted by the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya and TOMODACHI Alumni at Principal Officer Gary Schaefer’s residence.

Alumni from across the Chubu-Hokuriku region, university students, young professionals, and representatives of the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya gathered for the event.

One TOMODACHI alumnus, who once lived and participated in TOMODACHI program in Fukuoka as a university student, but now lives and works in Aichi Prefecture, participated in the regional event from beyond the region.

This event was organized by Regional Leader Yuko Ishida and Regional Mentor Shinichi Fukunaga. The participants had a lively discussion and made the most out of networking with other alumni and learning how organize and prepare a meaningful program for the Theme Event in the coming fall.

During his keynote speech, Foreign Area Officer Frank Camara explained the relationship that formed between the TOMODACHI Initiative and the U.S. Embassy and Consulates after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and emphasized the need to maintain this strong bond.

As discussion turned to the Theme Event, each participant expressed their opinions, founded in their own interests or specialties, leading to a lively and diverse discussion that allowed alumni to understand aspects of issues relating to the underlying culture of the region. It was a good opportunity to for participants to recognize local Chubu-Hokuriku issues from various perspectives.

Yuko Ishida, Regional Leader, said,”I learned about ‘paying-it-forward’ from the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program. This competency made me apply to a Regional Leader, and I’m looking forward to creating more opportunities for learning and networking, in order to let TOMODACHI Alumni in the Chubu-Hokuriku region gather and reunite. I would like to plan the Theme Event, inspired by an understanding of problems in the Chubu-Hokuriku region and an aim to make the world a little better.”

The event was held as a part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework, the TOMODACHI Generation Alumni Leadership Program supported by Prudential.