child participants

[Impressions from the children in the delegation]

・I was happy that my host family's mother made me wear a chimajeogori. I want to go to Korea again.

・I went to South Korea and learned about the lifestyle, food, history, etc. of the people of Seoul. At first I was nervous, but after a few days I got used to it and started enjoying every day. I would like to continue to deepen my exchanges with Asian countries. An Asian children's ambassador is scheduled to come to my house in July. I want to go to Korea again.

・As soon as I met my host family, I was so nervous that I couldn't speak. But gradually I was able to say what I wanted to say, and we were able to communicate with each other. When we said goodbye, I realized how painful it was. Although the time I spent with my host family was short, I think it will continue to shine in my heart.

・I went to a temple and skating with my host family. The temple had something similar to the New Year's Eve bell found in Japanese temples, and it didn't change much. What I noticed is that Korean people can speak Korean and English, but most Japanese people only speak Japanese. I realized that I need to study English more in order to speak with people from various countries.

・I had no interest in Japanese culture. The reason I took the initiative to learn how to make tea was when I went overseas on a dispatch project and wanted to introduce Japanese culture there, so I folded origami cranes and showed them to them. A Vietnamese child also danced a folk dance. I was disappointed in myself because the only thing I could do was fold origami cranes. So I thought I had to do something myself... By learning about Japanese culture, I have become proud to be Japanese. What I am proud of in life is being Japanese, so when I go out into the world and I am asked what I can do, I say that I can perform the Japanese tea ceremony. I want to say this with pride, and I want to be proud of it.

[Impressions from Japanese children who experienced host families]

・I feel like my experience at the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference has been more of a source of strength and sustenance for me than something ``useful.'' I think so because I met and broke up with my girlfriend during my homestay, and that experience has remained in my heart forever, and I no longer have any preconceived notions about overseas. The reason I started thinking that I wanted to try everything and do all kinds of things was because I met her. After all, the first homestay was the original experience. When I went to Vietnam on a dispatch project, I convinced my parents that I wanted to meet my girlfriend, and I made a promise with them. Looking back now, I think I was able to do something like that, but it gave me the strength to take action. I am now able to act and put my thoughts and opinions into practice. I think it's a huge change myself. If I hadn't met her, I don't think I would have become a normal high school or university student and thought about things like this. The Asia-Pacific Children's Conference gave me the opportunity to meet such people.

・What I gained from the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference was a new perspective. I had an experience that overturned my common sense. I learned that it's common sense to eat three meals a day, and that it's common sense rooted in the region and culture that you shouldn't leave any food behind. This is the driving force that made me want to make friends with more people. The impression that it was a poor developing country turned into a desire to do something related to international cooperation after actually interacting with the people and seeing their cheerfulness and cheerfulness, and realizing that economic poverty does not equal poverty. connected. I hate the word development aid, which means I'll do something for you. Volunteers involved in international cooperation often think of ``giving something for you'' and are based on that idea, but I have the completely opposite idea. Having experienced the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference, I believe that we should all work together from the same perspective so that we can be happy together. I'm really glad that I was able to start from the ``feelings'' and ``heart'' that I learned as a child, rather than from what I learned as an adult.

[What a former children's ambassador said]

・The Asia-Pacific Children's Conference has played an important role in my personality development. The experience of the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference instilled in me important values for life. It means loving your fellow human beings selflessly, regardless of their nationality or skin color. Through the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference, I learned that if the countries of the world tried to walk together in peace, the world we live in would be a better place. Participating in the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference has given me the courage to take on more responsibility in my community and encourage and motivate others to do the same. Although my stay in Japan was only for a short time, that childhood experience ignited my desire to become a global citizen. (Child Ambassador from India in 1998)

・I am from a country called Kiribati, which can only be seen as a dot near the equator on a map. Due to global warming, Kiribati is disappearing into the ocean. The Asia-Pacific Children's Conference is a place where countries in Asia and the Pacific can join hands to have a dialogue, share ideas, and spread peace around the world. That's why the Asia-Pacific Children's Conference is like a life jacket for my country, which is sinking. I feel safe being a part of the Asia-Pacific Children's Council. Working together with other countries will surely help stop global warming. (Child Ambassador from Kiribati in 1994)

・The Asia-Pacific Children's Conference was a great inspiration to me. Until now, I have been able to lead a positive and meaningful life. Since this journey, I have learned to respect the values of different cultures and people from other countries. With love, mutual understanding, and respect, people from all countries will be able to live harmoniously as one big family. My life has changed greatly because of the Asia Pacific Children's Conference. And that experience didn't end at that point; it continued to grow even bigger within me. (Child Ambassador from Hong Kong in 2002)