Junko Asano (Hong Kong)
Junko was born in Hong Kong on the 15th of December, 1991. She studied in a Japanese kindergarten, before transferring to an English-based education. In 2007, she received the opportunity to study at Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. She is currently at her first year at the University of Toronto and hopes to continue her studies on international relations. During her United World College experience, she was exposed to different cultures. More significantly however, given her Chinese and Japanese background, she was able to have the chance to further explore the Chinese and Japanese identity within the global community. Having collaborated with the previous Chief Organizer, Chishio Furukawa, Junko is profoundly moved by the power that youth can make on the world. She currently serves Conference 2010 as the Hong Kong Coordinator.
Chihiro Yoshida (Japan)
Chihiro was born in Tokyo in November 1990. She studied at Futaba High School in Japan before embarking on a new journey to study in Mahindra United World College of India. She is currently studying at UNiversity of Chicago. Being exposed to India in high school made her realize the vast diversity that existed in this world. Her interest remains in the region of Asia, as she firmly believes that there is an important common trait that all Asians share. She hopes that through this conference, more youths of China and Japan will share their visions of the future of their two countries. She is currently the Japan Coordinator.
Kyoko Okutani (Japan)
Kyoko attended Shoei Women’s High School until going to United World College in Italy in 2005. Rooming with a Hong Kong native during her college experience sparked her interest in Sino-Japanese relations, which is evident in her senior thesis which examines the controversies surrounding the Yasukuni Shrine. Currently, she attends Hitotsubashi University in Japan, where she is a member of Asia Law Students Association. In 2008, she helped organize an international event as a staff in Thailand.
Kaoru Okehara (Japan)
Kaoru was born in November, 1988, and raised up in Chiba, Japan. He transferred from Chiba Prefectural Chiba High School to the Red Cross Nordic United World College in Norway in 2005. He loves to talk in public and entertain people. Experiencing different cultures and international affairs, he felt frustrated that even though their cultures had many commonalities their relationship had to overcome many difficulties. He currently studies contemporary philosophy and culture at University of Tsukuba, Japan, and seeks somehow the application of those into the reality to shift the world. Facilitating the 2009 conference plus experiencing the collaborative success of the staffs and participants, he re-awknowledged the world-making potential of youth, most of who were younger than him, and who shared the identical UWC experiences.
Vivian Lee (Hong Kong)
Vivian, born in August 1990, is now studying in University of Toronto Scarborough with a major in the Co-op Specialist Program in Mental Health Studies. She studied in S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School before entering Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong for her last 2 years of high school. AtLPCUWC, she organized 2 youth conferences “Initiative for Peace: Focus on Kashmir” and “Initiative for Peace: Focus on Mindanao” which had a focus on conflict management skills. Last year, she also facilitated in the Sino-Japan Youth Conference. She is currently an alumni organizer for the Sino-Japan Youth Conference.
Minami Sato (Japan)
Minami Sato was born in Ibaraki in July 1990. She studied in Takezono High school before going to Lester B. Pearson United World College in Canada. Minami found pleasure in talking with people from different countries face-to-face when she was in Lester B. Pearson College last year. She believes it is a significant part of mutual understanding about each other’s culture. Therefore, she aims to contribute to the conference in order to share her experience to more people.
Sumiko Hatakeyama (Japan)
Sumiko Hatakeyama was born in Japan in May 1989. After two years at Meikei High School, she attended the United World College of the Adriatic (Italy) from 2006 to 2008. After taking a gap year and working for a Japan based NGO Peace Boat, she now studies Politics, Psychology and Sociology (PPS) at the University of Cambridge. Working as the bridge between the committee members and the Japanese participants in SJYC 2009, she is keen on promoting cultural understanding between youths from the two countries as an essential basis for better future in Asia.
Matthew Lee (Hong Kong)
Matthew was born in Ontario, Canada, in October 1991. He attended St. Paul’s Co-educational College in Hong Kong before coming to Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. He is Chinese and he wants to ease the tension of conflict between Chinese and Japanese by understanding the culture differences and the disparity in the version of events of the history taught by the Chinese and the Japanese from his older generation. Matthew wants to share his experiences with those involved in the Sino-Japan Youth Conference to enhance the mutual understanding.
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Jeff Chang Liu (Guangdong, mainland China)
Liu Chang, Jeff was born in 1990. He studied at the English School Attached to Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in Guangzhou for seven years before attending Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in September 2008. As well as being a facilitator in the Sino-Japanese Youth Conference 2009, he was the Guangdong Fieldtrip Coordinator to his hometown Dongguan, where Chinese and foreign dynamics take place. Jeff has also experienced being a young Chinese ambassador in Singapore, UK, Malaysia and US. He makes the most of his experience and knowledge in China and his understanding of Dongguan to promote intercultural exchange and mutual understanding from nation to person. In attending International Baccalaureate History and Economics classes, he found himself spellbound by the connections between Chinese, Japanese and western civilization. He will therefore pursue a deeper understanding of this fascinating connection in his undergraduate studies in US.
Yoko Tsumagari (Japan)
Yoko was born in Tokyo, Japan in April, 1990. She transferred to United World College of Adriatic, from Toyo Eiwa Senior High School in 2007. Through experiences participating in a Korea- Japan exchange program for high school students, and working as a communication volunteer for Asian Youth Para Games, she became interested in East-Asian countries. She plans to study International Relations among Asian countries.
Christopher Lai (Hong Kong, Australia)
Christopher was born in Hong Kong in 1990 and moved to Australia, where he lived from 1993 to 1997. Christopher then attended Diocesan Boys’ School from 2003 to 2007. In 2007 he transfered to Li Po Chun United World College. Christopher has an interst in a number of different activities such as diving, participating in marathorns, and learning different musical instruments, and is now primarily a working core-member and a facilitator for Sino-Japan Youth Conference.
Tohya Okishio (Japan)
Tohya was born in Kobe, Japan, in April 1990. He attended Konan High School before coming to Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in 2007 for the last two years of his secondary education. He became interested in the Sino-Japanese relations through learning about Chinese culture and making friends with Chinese students in LPCUWC. Tohya is now serving the SJYC as a core-member and is planning to major in social studies at college.
Amika Matsui (Japan)
Amika was born in Yokohama in 1991. She attended Caritas Girls’ High School before attending UWC of the Adriatic (2008-2010). She lived in the US for a year when she was 7, which was the time when she was deeply inspired by foreign countries. At the age of 15, she attended an international camp in the UK and met Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Chinese people, and has since become interested in the neighbouring country, China. She has attended SJYC 2009 as a Japanese participant and had an amazing experience. At SJYC 2010, she will be part of the conference as an organizer aiming to share what she has learnt in UWC and deeper understanding of Sino-Japanese affairs.
Michelle Kwan (Hong Kong)
Michelle was born in 1992 in Hong Kong and she has grew up in Hong Kong since then. She studied at Sha Tin College before coming to Li Po Chun United World College in 2008. She enjoys talking to people who have different perspectives and as a Chinese, she is interested in the relationship between Chinese and Japanese people. It is intriguing to see the harmony between the Chinese and Japanese youths and the Sino-Japan Youth Conference will be a good opportunity to find out what different people think about the relationship between the two countries. In the future, Michelle would like to study economics in the United States.
Yuka Takemon (Japan)
Yuka was born in Yokohama, Japan in June 1992. She then moved to Hong Kong for four year, to Shenzhen for two years, to Shanghai for two years, and back to Japan where I studied in a boarding school, then transferred to Hiroo Gakuen in Tokyo for high school before transferring yet again to Li Po Chun United World College. Through my experience being in a international school based all around China for all my life I have heard both sides of the argument of the Sino-Japanese relationship as I grew up from my parents and friends. I have realized there are lots of misunderstanding on both sides and should be recognized by the people China and Japan. Through this conference I hope that the participants will have lots of argument to share with each other as well as bring back home lots of new perspectives on the Sino- Japan relationships.
Carlton Man (Hong Kong)
Carlton attended St. Mark’s School before transferring to Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in 2008. Studying history for 6 years and having learnt about the severe Sino-Japanese relations, he is deeply concerned about this issue. He hopes to promote mutual understanding between the new generations in these two countries by organizing the Sino-Japanese Youth Conference.
Chris Hui Jin Yuen (Hong Kong)
Chris was born in Toronto, Canada, in August 1991 then he moved back to Hong Kong. He attended Diocesan Boys’ College from 2004 to 2008 before transferring to Li Po Chun United World College. Chris is actively involved in charity work such as being elected as a UNICEF Young Envoy in 2007 and elected as the Fundraising Director of the UNICEF Young Envoys Club of the Hong Kong Committee in 2008. Since he has always been interested in Sino-Japanese affairs, he decided to help in the Sino-Japan Youth Conference by being a facilitator.
Kiko Lam (Hong Kong)
Kiko Lam, born in April 1991, attended Wa Ying College in Hong Kong before coming to Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in 2008. She has a Japanese name as her Japanese aunt gave it to her. She likes Japan and Japanese culture under her aunt’s influence. She thinks participants can deepen their understanding about each other’s culture at the Sino-Japan Conference. She hopes this conference can contribute to improving the Sino-Japanese relations.
Jimmy Hu (mainland China/Hong Kong)
Jimmy was born in Dalian, where Japan colonized from 1905 to 1945. His manchurian great grandfather was a government official under Manchurian government. Jimmy has lived in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and has attended Queen’s College before transferring to Li Po Chun UWC. Jimmy hopes to eliminate the misunderstanding and create cooperation between China and Japan in the future. He believes that East Asia will carry a significant role. If the Sino-Japanese relationship could become sustainable both economically and otherwise, the two countries can benefit from each other. By being an organizer, he hopes to bridge the two countries’ tomorrow’s leaders.
Yuki Okada (Japan)
Yuki Okada was born in Osaka, Japan in Novenmer 1991, where she attended Kobe College High School. She is now studying in United World College of the Atlantic in the UK and will be graduating in May, 2010. Through conversations and discussions with Chinese friends, she found the importance of direct interactions among youth to improve mutual understanding of the relationship between the two countries. She hopes that this Conference will be the step to bridge young leaders in China and Japan.
Yuho Fujii (Japan)
Yuho Fujii was born in Japan, February 1992. She spent her primary school years in Wales, UK and attended Shirayuri Gakuen School upon return. Currently a student at UWC of the Atlantic, her interests lie in language and international relations. In the summer of 2008, she did voluntary work in Rwanda. At the conference, Yuho hopes to help promote further understanding of Sino-Japan relations by putting her experience at UWC into practice.
Kate Cheng (Hong Kong)
Kate was born in Hong Kong in ~, and she attended SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School before enrolling in Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in ~. The Conflict Management Camp she participated in at the age of 16 has made her become more aware of relations between different countries, including that of Japan and China. She hopes that SJYC will provide an opportunity for participants to break stereotypes by sharing different points of views.
Louis Man (Hong Kong)
Louis was born in Hong Kong in 1992, and has grown up there. He studied at Raimondi College before entering Li Po Chun United World College. Louis upholds the idea that “Innovation is an attitude”, and thus everyone is capable of bringing colours to Life. Hence, Louis especially appreciates the mindsets possessed by children, who possess the purest form of imagination. He hopes to contribute to SJYC through this mindset, and to give strength to the imaginative powers of youths.
Karine Chan (Hong Kong)
Karine, born in Hong Kong in ~ studied at Heep Yunn School before attending Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. She organized the 42nd Joint School Science Exhibition in Hong Kong Central Library, taking up the role as Project Affairs Department Director. Understanding that international understanding is urgent to resolve conflicts, she hopes to gain insight into peace initiation by starting from her own culture through the Sino –Japan Youth Conference.
Noble Mak (Hong Kong)
Noble Mak was born in Hong Kong, China in April 1992. She attended Diocesan Girls’ School for five years and is now a student of Li Po Chun United World College. She developed an interest in Chinese diplomatic affairs after joining a competition held by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Jonathan Au Yeung (Hong Kong)
Jonathan, born in Hong Kong in ~ attended St. Joseph’s College before studying in Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, where cultural appreciation is strongly encouraged. He has experienced various cultural excursions to China and all over the world, and hopes to share these experiences with participants. He hopes that mutual respect can be built among those involved in the conference, through his facilitation.
Winnie Yeung (Hong Kong)
Winnie was born in 1992 in Hong Kong and has grown up there. Before continuing her studies in LPC, she was studying in Marymount Secondary School. As a Chinese, she is currently fascinated by the profound Chinese culture. She loves meeting new friends from all around the world and learning new cultures and languages. After she graduates from LPC, she hopes to study International Relations in the United States.
Aaron Woo (Hong Kong/Canada)
Aaron, born in Toronto in 1992, came back to Hong Kong at the age of 1 and a half. He currently attends Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, after studying at St. Joseph’s College. His academic interest is chemistry, and he hopes to become a doctor in the future. He is glad to be part of this initiative and hopes to contribute through his vitality.
Penny Tse (Hong Kong)
Penny Tse was born in Hong Kong, China in February 1992. He has attended Diocesan Boys’ School for five years and is now a student of Li Po Chun United World College. He gained interest in the relationship between China and Japan after learning about how unstable and dramatic relationships between two countries can be, especially in the case of Diaoyutai Islands. He is particularly interested in the economic and social ties between the two countries, and how politics plays a role in this.
Kevin Chong (Hong Kong)
Kevin, born in Hong Kong in 1992, currently attends Li Po Chun United World College after studying at ~ school. He became interested in this initiative after studying about the relationship between China and Japan, and wishes to increase the awareness of mutual understanding between the people of these two countries.
Olivia Xin Wen (Beijing, China)
Olivia was born in Beijing, China, on December 25, 1988. After graduated from the Experimental High School of Beijing Normal University, she attended the United World College of the Adriatic (Italy) from 2007 to 2009. By studying and living together with UWC students for two years, she built a strong friendship with many people from different countries and regions, especially from Asia. This encouraged her to explore more about Asian countries, in which, Japan is the one that she has been willing to learn about for a long time. During the summer after her freshman year in Grinnell College, Iowa, U.S.A, Olivia is excited that she could assist this Conference as a PRC facilitator to keep tracking with the UWC spirit and to contribute to the understanding between youth from Japan and China. She is very looking forward to SJYC 2010.
Yiran Yang (Mainland China)
Yiran was born in Beijing in May, 1990. She had her amazing experience at United World College of the Adriatic after her study in the Second High School attached to Beijing Normal University. In UWCAD, she got more interested in Japanese cultures when she studied the art of Japanese Tokugawa period. Many nice experiences she has got with Japanese friends also make her get closer with Japanese cultures. She firmly believes that SJYC can be a bridge between the youth from two countries, and SJYC can help them learn an objective cultural understanding and even build further cooperation. She will serve as a PRC facilitator in the conference in 2010.
Stephanie Golan (Israel)
Stephanie Golan, born in May 1993, studied in Israel before coming to Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong in 2009. At Li Po Chun United World College, she was exposed to multiculturalism and the Chinese culture in particular. This unique experience led her to want to explore different relationships and conflicts between nations. She wishes to get to know as many people through this conference as possible!
Weronika Jurkiewicz (Poland)
Weronika was born in Poland and raised in Warsaw, where she attended Nicolaus Copernicus High School. Now studying at Li Po Chun United World College in Hong Kong, she deeply enjoys the inter-cultural aspect of the school and is taking advantage of the opportunity to learn Mandarin. The first taste of Asian culture has led her to pursue it further, as an organizer of the Sino-Japan Youth Conference. She hopes that this experience will be life-changing and will provide her with a greater understanding of the relations between China and Japan.
Holly Sze (Hong Kong)
Holly was born in Hong Kong in March 1993. She attended St. Paul’s Co-educational College before entering Li Po Chun United World College in 2009. Possessing an appearance that provokes people to relate her to the Japanese actress Mirai Shida, she is a Chinese girl who firmly believes that Tokyo is the best place for shopping. Yet, beneath the cravings for stylistic and innovative goods, she is just as enthusiastic to mingle with young Japanese and exchange ideas on topics that are related to Sino-Japanese relations. She would like to try looking at history between the two in different perspectives and review the historical events that spread the seeds of some controversies today.
Lettie Sin Wing Han (Hong Kong)
Lettie was born in Hong Kong, in October 1992. She attended St. Stephen’s Girls’ College before starting her first year in Li Po Chun United World College in September 2009. She has been to voluntary trips to Cambodia and Macau for charity sake, and fostering peaceful relationships and easing conflicts among people have always been her life goal. Being brought up in a multicultural environment she realized the importance of accepting and respecting different cultures and historical background. While the Sino-Japan relationship could carry a significant role in the future, she hopes to seize the opportunity to bring youths from places together and promote mutual understanding among them. She is excited to be part of the Sino-Japan Youth Conference.
