[Report] 10/26 (Sat) Japan-Korea Alumni DEIA Dialogue

We are thrilled to announce the success JAC-US (Japan Alumni Community of US Exchange Programs) Dialogue: Cultural Exchange and Aging Issues, co-hosted by JAC-US and KUVA!

After extensive online preparations and meetings, we held this landmark event on October 26, attracting a total of 38 participants (17 from Japan, 21 from South Korea, and 2 from Taiwan).

We were honored to have diplomats Ms. Sarah Belousov and Ms. Kristin Foote from the U.S. Embassies in Japan and South Korea, who delivered remarks celebrating this trilateral collaboration, making for an enriching 90-minute experience.

The event featured seven breakout rooms facilitated by experts from Japan and South Korea. In two separate sessions, alumni engaged in vibrant discussions across various topics. The first session focused on cultural exchange, addressing questions such as:

• What do you do? What are you passionate about?
• Share a story where you experienced cultural differences at school or work.
• What challenges do organizations or individuals face in promoting cultural diversity and awareness?
• How can we contribute to a more culturally aware and inclusive environment?

The second session concentrated on aging issues, discussing topics including:

• Share a story related to aging issues or hardships experienced at school or work (e.g., ageism, gender gap, maternity/paternity leave).
• What key challenges does Japan and South Korea face regarding an aging population?
• What actions are governments and communities taking to address these issues?

Participants found many similarities in the challenges facing their countries, leading to fruitful exchanges of information.

We plan to host our next event in early 2024, where we will focus on discussing potential solutions to these challenges. The first event not only fostered meaningful discussions but also expanded our networks, creating friendships across nations.

Stay tuned for updates on our next event!