Outline of the “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu” Project
- 1. Objectives
- This project aims to contribute to cultivation of the younger generation who can promote regional internationalization and act in the global community, and then will inherit the Uchinanchu network.
- 2. Promotion System (Tentative)
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Host Organization: The 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, Executive Committee
Auspices: Okinawa Prefectural Government, Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education, Okinawa Prefectural Municipalities
Supporters: Okinawa Kenjinkai, New Uchina Goodwill Ambassadors, Kenpi Scholarship Students, International Exchange Organizations, etc.
Consignee: Okinawa NGO Center (ONC)
- 3. Project Contents
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With “the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival” held in October 2016 as a main event, we will hold preceding educational and exchange programs at school campuses in Okinawa wherein participants can learn about Okinawan emigrants’ history and societies as well as countries and regions of their settlement. In cooperation with local cultural centers and museums, we also aim to broaden Okinawan students’ international perspectives through immigration lessons.
- The previous year (Fiscal 2015)
– Proceed the pre-learning by providing lecture delivery and exchange programs.
– Hold small announcing events to promote the “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu Project” and the 6th Uchinanchu Festival.
- The festival year (Fiscal 2016)
– Exchange emails or letters between Okinawan students and Uchinanchu overseas while continuing the pre-learning.
- During the Festival (27 to 30 October 2016)
– Conduct exchange programs with Kenjinkai overseas at participating schools. Present students’ learning results at their schools, local museums and cultural centers.
– Set up the “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu” exhibition booth at main venues, exhibit our program and facilitate cultural interactions among festival participants.
- Call for participation
Fiscal 2015: February to March 2015 (about 10 schools)
Fiscal 2016: April to October 2016 (about 90 schools)
- How to find a partner
– Distribute the list of participating countries and states in “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu” Project to schools in Okinawa upon request.
– Schools decide a partner country or state. Fill out and submit the application form.
– Should there be any request from Uchinanchu overseas, coordinate the request with the school in Okinawa.
- Methods of pre-learning
– Self-learning
1. Learn about Okinawan emigrants’ history and the multicultural cooperation in Okinawa, using participatory learning materials.
2. Learn about the culture and the lifestyle of emigrants using materials such as ethnic costumes that can be borrowed from the Okinawa NGO Center.
– Lecture Delivery
Target: partner schools, school teachers, municipality representatives
Instructors: the Okinawa NGO Center, Coordinator for International Relations (Peru, United States, and China) serving for Okinawa Prefectural Government, Kenpi Scholarship exchange students, former members of Youth Volunteers for Nikkei Communities (NJV) and so on.
- Methods of exchange
– Until the festival
Communication through emails or letters between Okinawan students and Uchinanchu at designated countries or states.
– During the Festival (27 to 30 October 2016)
1. Uchinanchu from overseas visits the partner school and promotes exchanges through social gatherings or lectures.
2. Set up the “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu” special booth at the main festival venue.
Participating schools introduce cases of the school action for “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu” project.