International Understanding
The United World College (UWC) is a cultural melting pot of youths from all around the world that are committed to understanding and impacting international issues. At Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, apart from the daily informal global debates, there are many opportunities for students to share their opinions and their experience to each other. Learning takes place on a face-to-face basis. Weekly events such as the Global Issues Forum (GIF) are hosted where students present a topic of interest and facilitate the discussions that occur afterwards. The International Current Affairs (ICA) also holds Change of Pace days (COP Days) where the campus engages in fun, practical, and fruitful dialogue. The Sino-Japan Youth Conference aims to re-create the UWC atmosphere where ideas are encouraged and initiatives put into practice. Learning goes beyond the classroom as youths learn from one another.
The Focus on China and Japan
At Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, there is a significant cultural influence from both Mainland China and Japan. There are also Chinese and Japanese students who live under the same roof and engage in daily dialogue and constructive problem solving. Every year, there is Global Issues Forum on Sino-Japanese relations. The latest GIF was on the issue of war criminals at the Yakusuni shrine. Although there were some discrepancies, both parties were able to come to a mutual agreement, and were resolved to create sustainable solutions for the issue. To readdress the pattern of passive politics and active economics in the Sino-Japanese relationship, this Conference was initiated to reignite the trust between two countries starting at first, and foremost, the youth.
Project Management
Having successfully held the first Conference in August 2009, and the second Conference in August 2010, the Sino-Japan Youth Conference Committee is working towards holding its third Conference in August 2011. In January 2011, the 2011 Proposal was accepted by the LPCUWC Administration. Fresh aims based on practical engagement including intercultural understanding, active learning and community service will serve to offer the Youth Ambassadors a wider perspective on how to improve the Sino-Japanese relationship.
