JET Alumni Association Ottawa 25th Anniversary Soirée
On November 3rd, the JET Alumni Association Ottawa branch (JETAA Ottawa) organized an evening soirée in Ottawa City Hall to celebrate JETAA Ottawa’s 25th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Programme.
JET Programme is an official Japanese Government scheme aiming to promote international exchange at grass-roots level and to improve foreign language education. The programme started in 1987 and more than 8,600 young Canadians participants have visited Japan to teach English at schools or to engage in international activities at local authorities.
At the reception, after the opening speech by Ambassador Monji, Mr. Matthew Fraser, Deputy Director of Northeast Asia and Oceania Division of Global Affairs Canada, delivered the keynote speech on his own JET experience as one of the first Canadian participants and wished for continued cross-cultural exchange through the JET program.
Approximately seventy guests, including MP Terry Sheehan, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, attended and enjoyed the Shamisen and Taiko performance by Ms. Ryoko Itabashi and her daughter. Former JET Programme participants enjoyed meeting fellow alumni and supporters of JETAA.
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Ms. Janelle Weibelzahl, President of JETAA Ottawa, welcoming guests |
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Ambassador Monji delivering his opening speech |
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Mr. Matthew Fraser, Deputy Director of Northeast Asia and Oceania Division of Global Affairs Canada giving a keynote speech |
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Ambassador and Mrs. Monji with Mr. Matthew Fraser and Ms. Janelle Weibelzahl |
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Ryoko Itabashi and her daughter giving a Japanese music performance |
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| Participants enjoying the event |
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