ExPY Meeting 2006

Therese Øijord Rustad

It has been an interesting time to participate in the Ex-PY Conference, since that for the last year the members of the Norwegian Alumni Association have been working on restructuring the AA. It was interesting in the sense that, on behalf of our AA, I could make contributions whilst also finding inspiration in the activities of other AAs. All in all, the Ex-PY conference is a good reminder of the great network and opportunities we all as Ex-PYs have.

As a participant I have to conclude that we had a very fruitful conference. The works started upon embarkation of the Nippon Maru. The work done onboard was split in two parts; one part introducing PYs to Alumni Associations, the other part conferring about current and future projects in the AA network.

Working with the PYs, we had two Post-Programme Activities (PPA) Sessions. In the first session one Ex-PY spent the time with one delegation. This would be fruitful to either of the two: experienced Ex-PYs could greatly contribute to the understanding of AAs to delegations who have not yet founded an AA and vice versa. Connections were made and ideas exchanged.

In the second PPA session we had a presentation in Dolphin Hall for the PYs. Our goal was to raise awareness through an interactive and interesting presentation. We started off with a skit and some 'fun-facts'. Then Thusara, Buthaina, Joseph, Ashok and Sayoko held presentations on homestay network, reunions and social contributions done by their respective AA.

Adel, Sree and Tamae further presented the steps on how to establish an AA. After this George, Jenny and Adnan presented the S.W.O.T. analysis. After this, Ex-Pys came on stage to tell their tales from after the programme. To finish the session off we split into smaller groups where PYs could pick the topic most relevant to them.

All in all I feel we made a good presentation, and also a good presence on the Ship. I think we raised the awareness of what opportunities lies before them after they disembark the Nippon Maru and return to their normal lives.

During our stay in Tokyo it was great to see and meet the machinery that keeps the SWY programme going. We met the Director General of Policies on Cohesive Society at the Cabinet Office. I think for me, as with the rest of the conference delegates, that it was very nice to say a proper, yet heartfelt thank you to the people in charge of the programme. We exchanged gifts, and the Director General was interested and asked questions we were delighted to answer. We moved on to a Q & A session that was very fruitful to our understanding of the programme.

Further on in Tokyo we did a lot of work concerning the Cultural Handbook. We have now made this to be online, with more facts and also pictures available. International SWY day and Global Photo Contest were also discussed and further developed.

One of the steps to develop our AA network was put forward by George from Greece. He suggested that AAs should obtain a legal structure and from this AAs will be more eligible for funding. With funding, we can simply do more. This in turn will strengthen the AAs. Of course, the requirements for establishing a legal structure varies from country to country, and for some it is much easier than for others. However, it was concluded that obtaining a legal structure is an important step, and that all AAs are encouraged to do so.

All in all I believe it was a great conference. We made a presence to the PYs and raised their awareness, we did good work on current projects and also suggested new steps for the future of our AAs. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and felt very well provided for. My sincerest thanks to the Cabinet Office for inviting us, and a great thanks Tamae, Sayoko and Naoko for their hard work.

In Session I one Ex-PY shared experiences with one delegation.

Planning Activity Session II for all the PYs

Working on the Handbook for Cultural Understanding, making this online, adding more facts and also pictures

"We all have this blue mopas bag??" Introductory skit to Session II

Applying S.W.O.T. analysis to SWYAA, identifying strength and weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the Alumni Association Network

Ex-PYs back on the Ship

Courtesy call on the Director General for Policies on Cohesive Society, Cabinet Office, Japanese Government

Government and IYEO representatives, together with the Conference delegates and other Ex-PYs, gathered at the Koujimachi Hotel for the Farewell Festival.