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Young Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (Young PALM)

  A high school student version of the PALM, the Young PALM will focus on environmental issues involving water.  The meeting will take place in Miyakojima City, which has proclaimed itself an Eco-Island, and is committed to creating a recycling society that makes effective use of resources and energy. The city also offers technical assistance on water resources management to the Independent State of Samoa, a Pacific island nation.

  Participating high school students will deepen their knowledge through lectures and outdoor learning and engage in discussions to explore solutions to the problems. Finally, they will present their proposals to the summit leaders attending the PALM. The students will also experience attending local high schools in Okinawa, home-stays, and social events with the local citizens.

  The program seeks to foster mutual understanding and friendship among the younger generations, start a long-lasting human network, and create bonds of friendship between Okinawa Prefecture and the participant countries, all of which will lead to “an island of communion and mutualism that is open to the world.”

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(1) Meeting Dates

May 23 (Wed) - 26 (Sat), 2012 (4 days)

(2) Venues

Miyakojima City Community Center, and the Hirara Port Marine Terminal

(3) Implementation

Sponsored by: Okinawa Prefecture
Co-Sponsored by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education
Supported by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Special Co-Sponsor: AEON 1% Club

(4) Participants (anticipated)

Japanese high school students: 32 (16 from Okinawa, 16 from outside Okinawa)
Overseas high school students: 32
(One male and one female student each from the Australia, New Zealand, and island countries and region* participating in the PALM)

* Cook Islands, Republic of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of Vanuatu, Niue (13 countries, 1 region)

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(5) High School Students Participating from Okinawa Prefecture

Interview with participants from the International Humanities Department of Naha Nishi High School:
Manon Shinohara, Akihiro Tomori and Chris Nakazato.

Q.What made you apply?

  • Shinohara: An overseas training I attended taught me the importance of being assertive and proactive, which made me want to try out for the Young PALM.
  • Tomori     :I wanted to know what people overseas thought of Okinawa and Japan
  • Nakazato :My father is an American and often talks about world affairs, which has fostered my interest in international affairs. Also, my involvement in volunteer activities at the Awase Mudflats has triggered my interest in environmental issues, the theme of the Young PALM meeting.

Q.How did you feel when you were chosen to be a participant?

  • Shinohara: I am happy to be granted the opportunity to come closer to achieving my dream.
  • Tomori     :I am glad three of us were chosen from the same school. The meeting venue, Miyako, is where my parents are from. I’d like to show everyone the beauty of the sea there.
  • Nakazato :I am happy about being able to exchange views with people from many countries.
From right to left) Tomori, Shinohara, Nakazato
(From right to left)
Tomori, Shinohara, Nakazato

>> Click here for details on efforts being undertaken in Miyakojima City.

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The 6th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Okinawa Prefecture Headquarters and Secretariat
8th Floor,Okinawa Prefectural Government Building 1-2-2 Izumizaki, Naha City, 900-8570 JAPAN
Exchange Promotion Division, Department of Tourism, Commerce and Industry
Phone:098-866-2331, Fax:098-866-2765
2012- PALM6. All Rights Reserved.