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JASC 62 (2010)

To Understand, To Unite, To Act: Continuous Evolution through Integrated Perspectives

Sites

  • San Francisco, CA
  • New Orleans, LA
  • George Washington University, Washington, DC
  • Earlham College, Richmond, IN

Roundtables

  • Empowering Today’s Youth: Overcoming Challenges in Society
  • Revitalizing Education
  • Security, Military, and Peace: The U.S. & Japan
  • Social Entrepreneurship: The Power to Transform
  • Spreading Environmental Awareness in Industrial Developing Nations
  • Sustainable Regionalism: How Can Urban Cities and Local Communities Coexist?
  • The Role of National Identity in the Globalizing Society

Special guests

  • Mr. Kevin Mayors, Senior official in East Asian International Affairs at the State Department
  • J. Keith Couvillon of Chevron USA Inc.,
  • Mr. Jim Pate of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
  • Dietlinde Turban, Vice-President and Founder of the Chateauville Foundation

News, photos & updates

Conference Summary

Site 1 – Richmond, Indiana: July 23 – 31, 2010

The 62nd JASC started off the conference in Richmond, Indiana. Throughout the week, JASC held discussions with employees of the Indiana State Government and visit businesses such as Honda. During their stay in Indiana, the delegates will also learn more about rural America and state governments. On July 30, 2010, the JASC delegation will also participate in the first ever trilateral meeting with the Korea- America Student Conference, JASC’s sister program. Students will take this historic opportunity to discuss issues concerning relations between the three nations as well as create lasting friendships and bonds.

Site 2 – Washington D.C.: August 1 – 7, 2010

As the capital of the United States, Washington DC (District of Columbia) has served as the country’s political and governmental epicenter. As the home to countless monuments, the focal point of the Civil Rights movement, and the host of the law making process, DC is a city rich in history. Located geographically between the north and southern regions of the country, the city draws influence from all corners of the United States. Like any other capital city, DC is bustling with activity and energy, ranging from historical monuments to the government offices and Capitol Hill. The city offers unique experiences compared to other US cities, as it is the site of thousands of historical rallies and inspirational speeches that have united America during its short history as a nation. Here, delegates had the chance to learn about United States history and government, and gained insight to the political side of US-Japan relations.

Site 3 – New Orleans, Louisana: August 8 – 13, 2010

From the extraordinary music of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and the Jazz movement to the multilingual French Quarter, New Orleans offered a different dimension of the United States for the 62nd Japan- America Student Conference. “The Big Easy” at one point was the wealthiest city in the United States, primarily because it held the country’s largest slave market. In the past the city has struggled with racial tensions, including the famous case of Plessy v. Ferguson, as well as with economic sluggishness as other regions outstripped NO in growth. In the summer of 2005 however, the city faced possibly the largest challenge in its 290 year history. Hurricane Katrina triggered a colossal failure of the levees protecting New Orleans and crippled the city, amplifying many of the preexisting problems. Five years later, the 62nd JASC witnessed firsthand the progress of a city both rebuilding and reestablishing its identity.

Site 4 – San Francisco, Califorina: August 14 – 21, 2010

As one of the most populated and diverse cities in the United States, San Francisco has functioned as a gateway for cultural, social, and economic revolution. Historically, San Francisco’s Angel Island symbolized the entry point for many immigrants into America. San Francisco’s unique mixture of culture, class, and perspective has made it the nurturing ground for many entrepreneurs and inventions, such as Apple and Kiva. The city has also inspired wide-spread social change, such as the ’s American youth counter-culture movement, and the environmental movement. While San Francisco has spawned cultural and technological creations, it has also struggled to transcend prejudices and social injustices. Thousands of Hispanics were disenfranchised during the mass migration in the 19th century. In more modern history, the city is the home of World War II Japanese-American internment relocation camps, one of the many symbols of the xenophobia and racism American citizens have faced. The 62nd Japan America Student Conference attempted to explore both the great accomplishments of San Francisco as well as the rugged path the city has taken to gain its fame. In doing so, our hope was that delegates will come to a greater understanding of how America harmonizes change and tradition.