Upcoming Forum: February 16-24, 2019 hosted by Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada

Theme
Description
Location and Date
Schedule
Conditions for Selection of Participants
Cost
How to Apply

Theme

The theme of this year’s Student Forum is: “Japan-Canada Relations in an Era of Global Change.”

In this current era of global interconnectedness, change at local, national, regional, and international levels is occurring at a rapid pace. While change can be ‘negative’ (e.g., climate change), it can also be ‘positive’ (e.g., medical advances). Japan and Canada are integral actors in efforts to promote positive global change. The 2019 JACAC conference will offer reflections on how these two G-7 partners, celebrating 90 years of diplomatic relations, are contributing to positive global change on transnational issue-areas and policy-relevant governance challenges. The conference will feature presentations from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences that approach global change from innovative perspectives.

This year, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the JACAC Student Forum and the 90th Anniversary of the Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations, this conference follows the format of a simulation. Participants will portray the roles of political leaders and policymakers in Japan and Canada, and will be encouraged to come up with effective policy suggestions that foster a stronger relationship between the two countries.

We will work in groups to address issues and questions such as;

1. What role can Japan and Canada play in promoting global peace and security through multilateral forums? Each country enjoys a special relationship with the United States. How can Japan and Canada leverage this relationship in order to promote peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region?
2. Roughly half the world’s population resides in the Asia-Pacific region – which is also home to the largest and most dynamic economies in the world. Regional support for global governance efforts to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been mixed. Furthermore, parts of the region are witnessing a return of trade protectionism, which might drag the wider region (and beyond) into a series of ‘trade wars’. How can economic growth be balanced with environmental protection? What are the problems associated with the rise of trade protectionism and so-called trade wars? What role can Japan and Canada perform in devising and implementing solutions for these issue-areas?
3. How do technological innovations improve societal well-being? What technologies are the most promising in terms of providing medical advances? What are the best ways of supporting the development of societal, medical, and health-related technologies? How might Japan and Canada disseminate domestic ‘lessons learned’ and ‘best practices’ to global audiences?

Description

With mixed-teams involving students from both Canadian and Japanese universities, the forum consists of the following:

• Expert lectures & discussions
• Group work based on the conference themes as part of a simulation module, wherein student groups assume the role of various G-7 member-states
• Pre-assignment to prepare for group work related to the simulation
• Final presentation at Embassy of Japan in Ottawa
• Final individual report

This program is open to anyone with a general interest in the theme of “Japan-Canada Relations in an Era of Global Change”. We welcome applications from students in all academic disciplines. Since all activities will be conducted in English, no prior knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary.

Location and Date

Hosted by Queen’s University  in Ontario, Canada. The Forum will run from February 17-23, 2019. Students will be departing from Canada and Japan in order to arrive in Kingston on February 16 (Saturday), and will depart the city on February 24 (Sunday). All travel plans to and from Kingston/Ottawa will be arranged by the organizing committee of the Student Forum. Students are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for any missed classes, although letters of invitation to the Forum will be provided for any students who require one.

Schedule (Tentative)

Conditions for Selection of Participants

Undergraduate students or graduate students enrolled in the JACAC member institutions are eligible to apply, though the preference will be given to senior undergraduate students. Successful applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance, interest and experiences in extra-curricular activities, and be a good team-player. They must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Approximately 14 participants each from Japan and Canada will be selected. *As a rule, we recommend one participant and one alternate from each JACAC member institution.
• Proficient enough in English to prepare materials, participate in discussions, and deliver presentations.
• Highly motivated students who possess a strong interest in the applicable year’s forum theme. Prior to the forum, participants should prepare themselves for fruitful discussion by researching on a specific topic of their interest relevant to the main theme.
• Students with previous year’s academic score above JASSO GPA 2.0 will be prioritized.

* How to Calculate GPA for JASSO

• No withdrawal will be allowed after participants are selected. Students must fully understand the requirements and the details of the program before submitting their applications.

Cost

Participation Fee: Free**
**Japanese students are required to pay 80,000 Yen for international air fee prior to the program. However this amount will be balanced out from the scholarship which will be provided on the first day (80,000 Yen per head).

The Japan-Canada Student Forum will cover the costs for:

• Transportation to Kingston from Toronto and from Kingston to Ottawa
  • Participants from Canada: Transportation expenses from the nearest international airport to Toronto International Airport and transportation to Kingston.
  • Participants from Japan: Transportation expenses from either Haneda or Narita International Airport to Toronto International Airport and transportation to Kingston.
  • Ground transportation in Canada and Japan is not included.
  • No extension of stay beyond program schedule is accepted.
• Accommodation expenses in Canada

Participants are responsible for the following expenses:

• Meals
• Local transportation expenses, which are unrelated to the program
• Incidental expenses at accommodation
• Passport and Visa acquisition fees
• Travel insurance

How to Apply

Canadian Students

Application deadline: 4:00 pm October 10, 2018
Canadian students should submit the following to their own universities:

• Complete application form
• Original copy of academic transcript(s)
• Statement of Intent; 500 words maximum; Please be sure to include the following points:
  • How will this program benefit you in your current academic program
  • Comment on any experience working in a team

Canadian Application Form (PDF)
Canadian Application Form (Word)

Japanese Students

Application Deadline: Please check your own university’s schedule (Application will start from the end of September)
Japanese Students should submit the following to their own universities

• Complete application form
• Original copy of academic transcript(s)
• Other documents required by your own university (if any)

Japanese Application Form (PDF)
Japanese Application Form (Word)

Method of Selection

Review of documents by Japan-Canada Student Forum Committee

Note

We thank all applicants for their interests; however, only those individuals selected for participation in the Forum will be contacted. The winners will be announced in November by the Prince Takamado Japan Centre, University of Alberta.