AAI
Promotes Intercultural Learning through Journalism Exchange
AFS Asia and the Pacific Initiatives (AAI) has been playing a vital role in the AFS international network as it continues to grow and expand year by year. AAI envisions to be the cluster that really walks the talk on teamwork as evidenced by high engagement and collaboration among all AAI partners, and being an acknowledged instrument of change, learning and innovation positively impacting the AFS global network. To achieve this vison, AAI has set priorities for the coming years, and one of them is the implementation of the Journalism Exchange, which has already started in 2011 between 2 Latin countries and 2 Asian countries. On its first year, the grants were given to two journalists from South America. They are: Sebastian Fournier from Costa Rica, hosted in Malaysia; and Mariana Marcaletti from Argentina, hosted in the Philippines.
Sebastian expresses his gratitude and invites everyone to “take the risk and share with AFS the dream of a peaceful world full of differences that unite and teach, differences leading to wisdom and humanity.” While in her article entitled “The land of Pacquiao and of the 7,000 million babies”, Mariana shares her observations and compares Argentina and the Philippines. She mentions, “The Philippines is not exactly the same as Argentina, but it is not very different. Maybe, by analyzing the place where Danica Camacho was born, we can get to know ourselves a little better.”
Korea Now Part of AAI AAI is very pleased to welcome its newest partner Korea. This initiative came about with the help of AFS Japan to expand the network within the region. This is indeed a great progress for AAI as it continues to grow and prosper more. AFS Korea will not only bring diversity to AAI but it will also provide large and extended venues of intercultural exchanges in Asia and the Pacific. Together, Asian hearts will continue beating together and achieving more success!
In this Issue AAI Journalists, Message from the AAI President, Updates from AFS Australia, China, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand
(see page 2 for the articles of Mariana and Sebastian)
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How can the other side of the world shift your mind 180 Degrees?
Message from AAI President Dear Friends,
Sebastián Fournier Exchange Journalist from Costa Rica to Malaysia June of 2011 marks the life of this Costa Rican radio producer with 24 hours of plane and more than 18.000 kms. away from home. Almost at the other side of the world Malaysia awaits with the flavors, smiles, cultures and open arms. As a journalist I experienced the marvelous shock of leaving behind the TV screens and Hollywood movies to experience Asia with my 5 senses. Journalism is most of the time the only window that people has to see the rest of the world. Information and misinformation are nowadays the world’s biggest responsibilities and weapons. News are being generated by one country, summarized by international media and reinterpreted by local media. That means every day we see how the world lives and forge an opinion about issues that affect lives of thousands, though with incomplete visions of the world. It is the responsibility of communicators to give the most contextualized vision of these issues and the e best way to do so, is to see and respect how other culturess understand their environments. There’s no better way to reach so than to experience the world yourself! There’s no way to understand Malaysia’s culture without trying its gorgeous food, or no way to explain Costa Rica without knowing how we abolished the army in 1949. How can we talk about Latin America without understanding the Muslim influence over Spain in medieval times? Or can we explain the existence of Taj Majal in India and the Czars in Russia without the Mongolian Empire of Genghis Khan? It’s time for us journalists to let our countries see the world through new eyes, eyes of tolerance and wisdom; not eyes of segregation and prejudice! Putting my feet over the other side of the world gave me understanding and open mind to see others as brothers and sisters with so much to share. Experiencing five new religions in three weeks opens a continent to your eyes and lets you show the globe to others as a chain of facts and events that explains today’s issues, and not a battlefield where the good guys have to teach the bad ones how to live their lives. It’s our mission as journalists to discover, to see, to open gates, to seek for the background, the underground. We have the power of the microphone, the camera, the ink and the click, we have in our hands the path to form and inform, we have the first key for peace: we can grow the seed of tolerance on the collective unconscious by showing the context, by favoring debate and chat; by killing the biggest enemy of peace: ignorance. I invite every person to give himself a chance to change his world through the insight of a new culture. Take the risk and share with AFS the dream of a peaceful world full of differences that unite and teach, differences leading to wisdom and humanity. At the end we all love our families, pray to our gods, need our friends and share our planet. At the end we all wish to be happy, and there’s no better way to reach happiness than to know ourselves as one human kind.
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It is with pride that we are launching the maiden issue of the official newsletter THE WIRE of AAI on the occasion of the AFS World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. May this serve as an instrument to bind closer as a cluster group and deepen our growing relationships with the rest of the partner organizations in the network. Congratulations! Bonnie B. Guerra President, AAI and Chair, AFS Philippines
The land of Pacquiao and of the 7,000 million babies By: Mariana Marcaletti Exchange Journalist from Argentina to the Philippines
A few months ago, I had the chance to get to know the country that welcomed Danica Camacho, the number 7,000 million human of the planet. There are also 7,000 islands that form this Catholic nation of Asia Pacific, where people practice what they preach: Philippines is one of the most populated countries in the world, according to a report issued by the United Nations. Of the 100 million people who were born in this place, over 20 million choose exile due to structural conditions. Comparing the Philippines with Argentina can help us illustrate what brings us together and apart with these far-away countries. Although other languages are spoken in Manila (Tagalog and English), and although everyday customs are different, we face similar economic scenarios and the same social discussions. Like in Buenos Aires city, Philippines’ landscape exhibits big contrasts: modern and rich areas like the financial district of Greenbelt or Pasig coexist with neglected areas. Like internal migrations in Argentina concentrated downtown, millions of Filipinos chose Manila due to better job opportunities. Some end up working in call centers (BPO), others in banks, in electronic companies and in commercial stores. The melting pot of the Philippine culture (with Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influence) is the same as Argentina’s melting pot. Filipinos don’t feel completely eastern and they would like to look more like westerners. “White actors get better roles. Women don’t sunbathe and put on creams to prevent their skin from getting any darker. Here it’s really important being as white as possible,” actress from “Rent” Mian Dimacali told me, when we were having a drink at the cozy M café, in front of Ayala museum. Continue on Page 6
AFS Hong Kong Holds Intercultural Fair One O ne off the h tools we use to sustain the school sc relation with AFS Hong Kong is through AFS Intercultural Fair, an annual event first launched as a joint project with Hong Kong Education Bureau. Starting 2005 AFS Hong Kong initiated our own Fair with invitations sent to all secondary schools. The Fair is a showcase of cultures through interactive games, dances, music, food, etc. put up by our host students as well as the local minority groups. Hundreds of AFS volunteers were involved in crowd control, ambassadors, classroom helpers and many other tasks. The Fair has grown from an event with 500 participants, to one that welcomes over 1000 students from more than 50 schools to participate yearly.
AFS India 5th Annual Volunteer Meet AFS India conducted 5th Annual Volunteer Meet 2010 during 11th-13th Sep 2010 in Delhi. Volunteers from chapters, international p a r t n e r representatives came together making this event a big success. Topics like Risk Management and Volunteering (changes and trends) were greatly appreciated by the volunteers. The sessions instilled lots of information according to the volunteer requirement. There was also a session on Global link training for the staff and volunteers. During the event volunteers also interacted with one another and shared their success stories in Accountability session. Volunteers came up to inform others about the various activities which had been going on with the host students and how they support the sending parents. Many new ideas were discussed and the need for “diverse programs” was agreed upon. The meet motivated the volunteers to go back to their chapters and start afresh with more dedication. AFS India would like to thank Dr. Urs Von Arx and Mr. Lucas Welter
Splendid Cultural Exchange Experience in Hong Kong By: Pedro Gomes from BRA (YP10/11) I had not, for once, regretted coming to Hong Kong as an exchange student. I’ve decided to join AFS a long time ago, and Hong Kong has always been my first choice. I always thought Chinese culture is very fascinating and very different from what I’m used to, and I wanted to try something very different. At last, I found out there were more similarities between Hong Kong and Brazil. For example we both eat a lot of rice, we both love soccer, and we both value families very much. You would not believe it until you experience it. How I miss this beautiful city, its Chinese traditions and its colonial heritage!
from AFS International who came to participate in this meet and interacted with our volunteers. The sessions conducted by them were very much appreciated by the volunteers as well. The sessions were informative and had great wealth of information. We would also like to thank Ms. Tamara Jazbec, YES program specialist from AFS-USA who gave a presentation on YES program and on the new emerging trends and updates.
Hosting Orientation Work (HOW Meet) HOW was the initiative between India and USA. The aim of these work groups was to increase the level of intercultural learning of target country participants and their host families. The goal of the project was to produce a handbook for host families in each country hosting students from the other country. The HOWs meeting was made possible through support from the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, USA. The meeting occurred between India and USA team in Delhi from19th to 22nd November, 2010 which was attended by ten participants from both countries on diverse topics and effective discussion took place regarding various topics which produced the desired outcome of the meeting and also set the further goals.
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AFS Japan Celebrates JENESYS
Festival On December 17th, AFS Japan held a JENESYS Festival in Tokyo to feature the last event of the 5 years of JENESYS program, where over 1,500 participants attended including 660 JENESYS participants from 13 Asian and Oceanian countries, 110 YP and SM students from over 30 countries, 200 high school students from Tohoku area hit by the earthquake and tsunami and 300 high school students from the Metropolitan area. 1,500 participants sang and recorded a song specially dedicated for this event titled "Closer To You", with the music composed and contributed by Maria Takeuchi, a very famous Japanese singer-songwriter and a former AFS student to USA. The singing was led by Alexandra Bunswai, a Laotian singer and an AFS returnee to Japan, who is so popular in Laos where she is called the "Pop Princess." The singing event was truly sensational, demonstrating the solidarity and the passion of all the participants. AFS Japan would like to make this a new AFS song and share it with the network. (Photo courtesy of AFS Japan)
AFS Japan Extends Help Through Scholarships A After the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami hit Tohoku area in Japan in March 2011, we received so many messages of love and encouragement from all over the world. With the donations we received both from abroad and within Japan, AFS Japan created the scholarships called "Michinoku (Tohoku) Support Scholarship" and "Japan Society Michinoku Support Scholarship" to support high school students from the affected areas. 9 students were selected in 2011 from Tohoku and were awarded with such scholarships to study for a year program with full scholarship in 2012. The awarding celemony was held with the presence of Vincenzo, President of AFS International, and Tad Akiba, National Chair of AFS Japan.
Online Registration - Easy and Quick to Access, Supports Environmental Protection In 2010, Bina Antarbudaya implemented a nationwide online registration service. This system provides the opportunity especially to students from eastern part of Indonesia to participate comfortably. They do not need more time and money to travel to their chapter which is located far away from their residence. In year 2011, Bina Antarbudaya received around 10,000 applications of students to participate on AFS programs. The new online registration also supports the environmental protection as students no longer need to send hard copies of their application. Bina Antarbudaya expects to save around 100,000 sheets of paper this year.
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Bina Antarbudaya Opens New Chapter in Bali Bali has always attracted international attention as a tourist destination in Indonesia. Economic growth rate in Bali increased by 6.54 percent in 2011. Bina Antarbudaya with its goal to promote international friendship through Hosted Participants in Indonesia intercultural exchanges, and to help prepare the future leaders of Indonesia sees that Bali's young generation should be ready to be leaders in their own region. In the mid 2010, Bina Antarbudaya opened a new chapter in Bali, so the Balinese students who are interested in participating in AFS programs can register directly in Bali chapter.
If I could change the world Andrew Loh, YES program 2004/2005
I will change the world. Those five purposeful words abound in my dog-eared collection of old examination essays, debate speeches and college applications. Along with overused clichés like "I will make a difference", "I will serve my country" and "world peace", these phrases transform my pieces into soaring, emotional, inspiring compositions that touch hearts, rouse spirits, gain marks, score As, and win competitions. Teachers and judges look out for these particular expressions; after all, we all love to hear determined, motivated young people speak out about their lofty, admirable ambitions and goals in life. We all fancy calls to action; written with flair, spoken with eloquence. If only I meant what I said. I lied. To convince my audience, I put on poise, conviction and confidence. I acted like I really believed that I could change the world. To them, I was passionate, zestful, and true; to myself, I sounded hollow, insubstantial, and fake. I was a petty actor; one who could convince everyone but himself. I could deceive everyone, but could not afford to fool myself. I really don't know whether I can change the world or not. Honestly, I think I want to change the world, but to say that I will change the world is a complete lie. It makes a feel-good, but nonetheless dubious statement that is left hanging; its veracity unjustified. I fear that I cannot fulfill this prophecy, for I am unconvinced of my own abilities. I fear that I cannot walk my talk, that I cannot live up to my word. I am doubtful of myself. After all, I am but an average 18 year old who wants to have fun, friends, and good grades. I am no genius, no superhuman, no Olympic medallist, no prodigy, no wizard, no whiz kid extraordinaire. I cannot fly, go back in time, solve Fermat's last Theorem, cast magic spells, play Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, or recite the Periodic Table from memory. Am I destined to do great things? I think not. Much less change the world. But there is this nagging feeling that persistently irritates me. Without fail, my conscience reprimands my intellect for being so cold and pragmatic. There is something in facts and statistics and practicality that my heart despises. It hates the realism, the pessimism, the dearth of hope. My soul cries out: it exhorts me to re-examine my outlook! Enough of 'logic'! It entreats me to ignore the constraints and limits of common sense, as just for a while. Enough of 'reality'! It tells me not to take into account that I'm not competent or capable enough. Enough of being 'rational'! It begs me to indulge my senses in youthful optimism, in hopeful idealism, to set my mind free, to wish, to dream, to imagine! It dares me to ask the question - "If". If I could change the world, would I? That is the question. It is a question worth contemplating, worth examining, worth meditating upon. If I could change the world, would I? If I had the power to – perhaps? Even against violent, vehement, vicious opposition? Even if I was ridiculed and mocked and jeered at? Even if the odds were stacked against me? Even if no one had done it before? Even if facts and statistics and practical common sense dictated that I had absolutely no chance of succeeding? Charles Stewart Parnell did! He laid the foundation for Irish unity and Home Rule which spread nationalistic fervour throughout the British Empire, influencing Gandhi and Nehru towards their own
pursuit for independence. Rosa Parks did! She refused to give up her bus seat, and her non-compliance ultimately led to the triumphant civil rights movement of America. Society, at that time, condemned them for being indolent and rebellious. But despite threats against their lives, liberty and property, they chose to do what they knew was right. For centuries, talk of going to the moon was pure laughingstock. Yet the small step for Neil Armstrong was a giant leap for mankind – mankind has succeeded, despite cynicism, despite infinite problems, despite the odds. Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire defied orders to withdraw United Nations troops and as a result saved at least twenty thousand Tutsis from brutal death during the Rwandan genocide. Oh, how I wish that I too could leave my mark in history as they did! Ah, they took the road less travelled! And somewhere ages and ages hence, we tell great stories about these exceptional men and women who chose to take on the less popular, irrational path, and how that has made all the difference. And what a difference they have made. Interestingly, all of them were just normal, ordinary, imperfect human beings. The only thing that made these ordinary people great is the one thing they had in common: they never stopped believing in themselves and the righteousness of their cause. They knew that their causes were greater than themselves; that they were at tipping points of sorts; that they could indeed change the world, despite their imperfections. They stayed true to themselves, and against all odds, they never, never, never, never, never gave up. Perhaps that is all it takes to change the world – to just listen to our hearts, and never give up. If I could change the world, would I? I would. Because after all, perhaps it isn't as impossible as I imagined it to be. But can I really change the world? I want to think so. If being normal and imperfect didn't stop Parnell and Gandhi and Armstrong and Rosa Parks from changing the world, why should it stop me? I will change the world, and the shackles of reality will not weigh me down. I want to dream! I want to become Prime Minister and speak out against discrimination and oppression! I want to imagine! I want to revamp our exam-oriented education system and expose our children to learning for learning's sake! I want to fight poverty, to cure cancer, to resolve wars, to battle corruption, to educate children, to nurture lives! I want to give hope to our world! Perhaps changing the world starts from small dreams that grow and grow and grow. Then again, maybe I am already changing the world through my seemingly unimportant actions. Maybe I am already influencing classmates by speaking out about socio-political issues. Maybe I am touching lives when I volunteer at the nearby special needs children centre. Maybe butterflies which flap their wings in Brazil really do cause tornadoes in Texas. Maybe solitary raindrops do cause ripples to travel all over the surface of otherwise serene, peaceful ponds. It is a hauntingly beautiful concept: that I have the power to shape and mould my future. That through whatever I do, no matter how seemingly insignificant it might be, I will be able to influence humanity, someway, somehow. Perhaps I didn't lie after all. Perhaps I was telling the truth in my examination essays, debate speeches and college applications. Perhaps I really will change the world.
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The land of Pacquiao... US has had a big influence when it comes to aesthetical criteria and it also affects, together with China, the economic development. Due to a bill of Foreign Investment, the US and many other eastern nations choose the country because their working force is affordable. In 2009, due to the worldwide crisis, the Philippine GDP, like the Argentine, grew 0.9 %. Because of the reserve army of labour, many Philippine people choose moving somewhere else due to economical reasons, something similar to what happened in Argentina during the crisis of 2001. “There are Philippine doctors and nurses in California, the US, domestic staff in Hong Kong and hundreds of exiled people in Middle East and Australia,” Charie Villa, editor of ABS CBN website, the most influential media corporation in the country told me. The dollars they invest in the local market contribute to the development of consumption. According to a survey by Synovate agency, one out of four Filipinos claims “I couldn’t live without a state-of-the-art cell phone.” Asia’s biggest malls are here: the Mall of Asia, near Manila bay, is five times
bigger than Unicenter. Restaurants also blossom in here. In Rockwell city, for instance, there are more restaurants than in all Palermo’s together. Although consumerism is uncontrollable, other things aren’t. Like in Argentina, when we discuss the same-sex marriage bill, there are liberal practices that are frowned upon. The Catholic Church argues that bills like divorce or reproductive health are against good customs. Mainstream mass media echo these discussions. They are hard on authorities and report cases of corruption. Like in our country, politicians are not close to big media. There, the profession is tinted with fear, because in 2009 in the southern region of Mindanao 34 journalists were murdered in daylight because they were against a political clan. Because of this massacre and other similar episodes, a human rights policy that looks for justice was fostered, like in Argentina. The Philippines is not exactly the same as Argentina, but it is not very different. Maybe, by analyzing the place where Danica Camacho was born, we can get to know ourselves a little better.
AFS PHI Aims to be the Leader in ICL In a world of difference and diversity, AFS P Philippines believes that Inte erc cu ulltu tura ral Le ral Lear earni arni ar ning ing g (IC ((ICL) IC ICL) CL) is is one essential Intercultural Learning ttool to ool ol iin n achieving its aim to bridge gap betw ween cultures, between ttr ra rad ad ditio itio it ions n a and religions. Understanding its im mport traditions importance and now prom mot otiin ng ng it itss cause, AFS PHI aims to be tthe leader promoting in ICL. A An nd to a ch c hie i ve tthis his mission, AFS PHII con And achieve continues to show ow o wc ca asse e IICL CL in ev ver ery ac a cti tivi vity ty y a nd d p rogram ro gram gr am it conducts, showcase every activity and program es spe pec ciial a ly during du urring orientations orriie ent ntat atio i ns (re-entry and p re-d especially pre-departure) as w well ell as el as v volunteer ollunte o teer err ttra e trainings r inings and workshops. IC CL RE ESE EAR ARCH GRANT ICL RESEARCH In n ssupport uppo up port rt o off its itts co c cont ontin ntin nt nuin uing ui ng e ndeavor nd d to provide hi continuing endeavor high quality intercultural learning experiences to all sojourn sojourners, AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines (AFS-IPP) aims to initiate related studies that will focus on the interplay of participants from Asia Pacific with cultural distance. This leads to AFSIPP’s announcement of its willingness to be in partnership with one of the leading universities in the country, Ateneo de Manila University through the ICL Research Study Grant. The study will provide the project partner, AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines, a profound material that will help in program services innovations, program management, and the incorporation of intercultural learning as the core value of the organization. It will also contribute in creating a research study on intercultural learning focusing on Asia Pacific context. Thus, this will benefit the scientific community in assessing the literature of CQ, intercultural learning and relations, and cross-cultural psychology. CHAPTER CONFERENCE AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines highlighted Intercultural Learning (ICL) during its annually held National
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C h a p t e r Conference inviting key volunteers f r o m sixteen (16) chapters on September 22-24, 2011 in Metro Manila. T h e conference reinforced ICL’s vital role in the realization of the organization’s mission and vision being an educational organization assuring intercultural competencies to sojourners; ICL exerting a pull on the relevance of structured non-formal education focusing on intercultural competences which is a growing interest to individuals of different capacities and inclinations; and ICL as a strategic lever for practical results that can improve school, government & institutional relations; program and services offerings innovation; funding; volunteer development and defense against competition in the market place. PEP FOR ICL The AFS Bacolod, a local chapter of AFS Intercultural Programs-Philippines situated in the Visayas group of islands has successfully implemented its first contribution to present Intercultural Learning (ICL) to its local volunteers consisting of alumni and educators through a seminar workshop the “PEP for Intercultural Learning” at the University of St. La-Salle Bacolod, on October 29, 2011. The activity was envisioned to “Pep” intercultural awareness and intercultural competencies amongst volunteers providing them with practical knowledge and skills primarily to enable them to re-introduce the educational goals of AFS to principal sojourners including non-AFS audience. In
From page 6 AFS PHI Aims to be the Leader in ICL
AFS PHI Launches New Programs
addition, theories and concepts such as Cultural Detective, Culture Survey, Experiential Learning, Key Elements of Culture and Stages of Cultural Sensitivity were discussed. Volunteers who attended have confirmed their commitment to replicate similar seminar-workshops to educational institutions, corporations and companies, and during AFS related activities such as orientations. The Pep for ICL continues! AFS DAY in celebration of the IEW The AFS Bacolod Chapter with University of St. La-Salle (USLS) one of AFS IPP’s partner educational institutions celebrated International Education Week (IEW) showcasing AFS Intercultural Programs through several activities including ICL lectures, International Food Fair and Cultures Meet Night on November 24-25, 2011. Similarly, the celebration hoped to fortify the flourishing significance of intercultural learning in an ever-changing global society with an underlying reason of promoting AFS as a leading educational organization providing structured intercultural opportunities. The event sponsored by the chapter and USLS was participated by AFS students and alumni, foreign and expat residents, city and provincial officials, educators and administrators, and volunteers will be featured in a local TV and radio morning show.
Australian PM Announces National Policy “Australia in the Asian Century” The rapid economic development of Asia in the 21st Century is causing unprecedented change to the Australian economy as a trading partner with the region; and with growing interchange of our peoples, through education and migration, these impacts will have profound effects on Australian society. The Secretary of the Australian Treasury, Mr Ken Henry, is leading the development of a White Paper that will recommend far reaching changes in Australia to ensure that Australia embraces the opportunities and challenges of the Asian Century. An important part of this policy White Paper is likely to be Government support to promote Asian language learning among young Australians and to increase Intercultural exchange. AFS AUS is positioning itself to be an influential contributor to these policy developments. The White Paper is expected to be released in July 2012.
With the aim to be the leader in intercultural exchange in the Philippines and a partner of choice in the AFS Global Network, AFS Philippines launches new programs to further extend and spread the cause of intercultural learning. These new programs will give more opportunities for students and professionals from various fields to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding [and lifetime bonds] needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
• Class Exchange • Language Programs • Culinary Arts, Eco & Voluntourism • Intensive English Language Program • Fashion Design • Internship • Medical Career, • Teacher Assistant • Vocational Courses • Study Tour • 2Country Exchange (INA, IND, MAS, THA)
AFS AUS Building School Partnerships Based on Renewed Interest in ICL AFS Australia has been navigating difficult obstacles owing to strict reciprocity obligations imposed by Government Regulators. This obliges AFS AUS to host only the same number of participants as it sends (measured in participant months). AFS AUS has decided to seize the opportunity provided by a new national curriculum, which includes building Intercultural Understanding, to offer to schools Intercultural education partnerships that support their educational goals. At the 2012 World congress AUS delegates will be explaining the implications of this strategy to other partner delegates. AUS will be seeking partner support to create valuable benefits to schools in partnering with AFS. These may include assistance in hosting teacher visits, creating sister school partnerships and establishing 2-way class exchanges. In the medium term, features of school partnerships are likely to include AFS providing professional training of teachers in ICL, and advanced recognition to their students for language and intercultural learning capability acquired through AFS participation.
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AFS Young Journalist Program Panprae Bunyapukkna, a former exchange student from Thailand to Chile in 2002-2003 was selected to be the grantee of AFS Thailand scholarship called AFS Young Journalist Program to Argentina on May 21 – June 11, 2011. “How we value the relationship with the others today is how much the importance of cultural exchange is. This is because the world gets smaller every day, by using internet or traveling by plane we can contact with other people in few seconds or a few hours. However, there is some difference between contacting others for our own benefit and learning to understand others deeply to create peace like what AFS does. For me, the best way to understand others is to live their life, to learn what they think, to pass-through many situations together and, during our experience, to share our cultural differences and to learn from one another. Being a journalist is not only passing-through the real-life experience in each nation, but also helping the peacemaker to understand other people more. Most of all, peace is created from understanding and understanding is created from love. “ - Panprae Bunyapukkna
AFS Thailand Community Service
AFS Thailand Program Development
(Photo Courtesy of AFS THA)
AFS Thailand has been developing various programs to correspond with the increasing interested applicants participating in the AFS programs. New programs have been continuously created and implemented, in the meantime, strengthening the relationship with partners. In collaboration with AFS China, a dormitory program has been developed. The program helps eliminate the limitation of host family recruitment problem, allowing more participants to join in the AFS program. This program has become popular among the exchange program inquirers and that the 3rd group of participants is on the sending process now. More innovative programs with our partners are expected to be introduced in the near future.
AFS Thailand has recently gained more public recognition with a variety of AFS services to community projects (CSR). One remarkable activity in 2011 was the cooperation between AFS Thailand office, AFS Nakhon Si Thammarat Chapter and City Learning Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat where over 600 students and 30 language teachers in the province participated in a language day camp activity. Activities included AFS exhibition, guest speakers, AFS r e t u r n e e s ’ ex p e r i e n c e sharing, new language teaching techniques and language games. AFS Thailand board member, directors, staff, local government officers, an (Photo Courtesy of AFS THA) officer from US Embassy, AFS returnees, and AFS hosted participants joined in this event. The project was so successful that more activity focusing on assisting the language instructors in the area was requested.
The Wire Contributing Partners
Call for Submissions We welcome your suggestions! If you have comments or would like to submit articles and news items for consideration in future issues of The Wire, you may send them to Mahid Macadato at AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines: phi.communications@afs.org. © 2012 AFS Asia and the Pacific Initiatives. All rights reserved.
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AFS Intercultural Programs Australia AFS Intercultural Programs China AFS Intercultural Programs Hongkong AFS Intercultural Programs India AFS Bina Antarbudaya Indonesia AFS Intercultural Programs Japan AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia AFS Intercultural Programmes New Zealand AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines AFS Intercultural Programs Thailand Newsletter Editor: Mahid A. Macadato Editorial Consultant: Tisha Lee V. Eduave Newsletter Manager: Rahiema B. Guerra