REPORT on NASJA Launch and TICAD V Side Events 1st-3rd June 2013
During the student summit held in JICA Yokohama from the 18th-28th of March 2013, the African students present unanimously agreed on the need to create an umbrella body for all African Students in Japan. Since then, from a humble beginning of 30 students the organization now boasts of a membership of over 200 students. The formation of this organization came at an opportune time, just before the TICAD V Conference.
The planning for the Official Launch of NASJA on the 2nd of June and NASJA Symposium on the 3rd of June as part of the TICAD V events took concerted efforts from all the NASJA members and the executive committee of NASJA, charged with the responsibility of organizing the events. Participation in the TICAD V conference was meant to lay a foundation for NASJA as a legitimate representative body of African students and to give it as much exposure as possible through this conference.
The organization of these events was not an easy feat; it took weeks of planning, consultation, and networking. The organizing committee comprising of: Gabriel Malebang, Melissa Wanjiru, Ahmed Abubakari, Nisile Cosmas, Samuel Adelabu, Patrick Behuhuma, Meble Kasoma, Cynthia Mutasah and Laban Kithinji worked tirelessly to ensure that these events came to fruition. Prior to TICAD V, the executive committee held meetings on a weekly basis to discuss on various issues.
The events of the network were held as follows: Official NASJA Launch done at Kenritsu Seisyounen centre, a conference facility run by the Yokohama City Government.. The event recorded an attendance of about 50 African students studying all over Japan. Secondly, there was the NASJA Exhibition booth which was set up at Pacifico Yokohama, Main Conference Hall for exhibiting and promoting the work of African students and their countries. Third, we had the official side event for TICAD V, the NASJA Symposium whose theme was "Uniting students to bridge the gap and enhance mutual understanding between Africa and Japan." The Symposium was held at Pacifico Yokohama Annex Hall and it led to very important discussions. The panelists included: Ms. Pretty Segwai from Botswana, Ms. Midori Okamura from Japan and Mr. Benjamin Maiangwa from Nigeria.
During these three events, the key achievements were: mobilization of African students in Japan to unite towards a common goal, networking with many important people and organizations and creation of a contact database for NASJA. In general, the main objective which was to set a strong foundation for NASJA was achieved.
The operations for NASJA did not and will not end there. Ongoing now, are activities to ensure continuity. On the 26th of June 2013, the NASJA officials met with H.E Stuart Comberbach the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The meeting was very productive and four things were decided upon: The Ambassador who is the current Dean of The African Diplomatic Corp would consider our request to be the NASJA Patron, the concept note presented to the ambassador would be circulated during the ambassadorial meeting on the 27th of June as an introduction of NASJA, NASJA would be invited to the next African Diplomatic Corp meeting to be held either in July or September and finally, discussions would be initiated with the ambassador of the Republic of Benin H.E Zomahoun D.C. Rufin on how to register NASJA as an NPO. With these four key agreements, NASJA is hopeful for a continued collaboration with all African embassies in Japan. In addition to this NASJA has planned for meetings with JICA officials on the 2nd or 3rd of July to initiate dialogue on further collaboration post-TICAD V. A meeting with the African Development bank is also scheduled for the 9th of July 2013 to discuss on the same.
Finally, with what has been achieved so far and what NASJA is looking to achieve through collaboration with other organizations concerned with development in Africa, and Japan-Africa Cooperation, we hope for a bright future for NASJA.
Compiled by
Melissa Wanjiru
Interim Vice Chair
The planning for the Official Launch of NASJA on the 2nd of June and NASJA Symposium on the 3rd of June as part of the TICAD V events took concerted efforts from all the NASJA members and the executive committee of NASJA, charged with the responsibility of organizing the events. Participation in the TICAD V conference was meant to lay a foundation for NASJA as a legitimate representative body of African students and to give it as much exposure as possible through this conference.
The organization of these events was not an easy feat; it took weeks of planning, consultation, and networking. The organizing committee comprising of: Gabriel Malebang, Melissa Wanjiru, Ahmed Abubakari, Nisile Cosmas, Samuel Adelabu, Patrick Behuhuma, Meble Kasoma, Cynthia Mutasah and Laban Kithinji worked tirelessly to ensure that these events came to fruition. Prior to TICAD V, the executive committee held meetings on a weekly basis to discuss on various issues.
The events of the network were held as follows: Official NASJA Launch done at Kenritsu Seisyounen centre, a conference facility run by the Yokohama City Government.. The event recorded an attendance of about 50 African students studying all over Japan. Secondly, there was the NASJA Exhibition booth which was set up at Pacifico Yokohama, Main Conference Hall for exhibiting and promoting the work of African students and their countries. Third, we had the official side event for TICAD V, the NASJA Symposium whose theme was "Uniting students to bridge the gap and enhance mutual understanding between Africa and Japan." The Symposium was held at Pacifico Yokohama Annex Hall and it led to very important discussions. The panelists included: Ms. Pretty Segwai from Botswana, Ms. Midori Okamura from Japan and Mr. Benjamin Maiangwa from Nigeria.
During these three events, the key achievements were: mobilization of African students in Japan to unite towards a common goal, networking with many important people and organizations and creation of a contact database for NASJA. In general, the main objective which was to set a strong foundation for NASJA was achieved.
The operations for NASJA did not and will not end there. Ongoing now, are activities to ensure continuity. On the 26th of June 2013, the NASJA officials met with H.E Stuart Comberbach the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The meeting was very productive and four things were decided upon: The Ambassador who is the current Dean of The African Diplomatic Corp would consider our request to be the NASJA Patron, the concept note presented to the ambassador would be circulated during the ambassadorial meeting on the 27th of June as an introduction of NASJA, NASJA would be invited to the next African Diplomatic Corp meeting to be held either in July or September and finally, discussions would be initiated with the ambassador of the Republic of Benin H.E Zomahoun D.C. Rufin on how to register NASJA as an NPO. With these four key agreements, NASJA is hopeful for a continued collaboration with all African embassies in Japan. In addition to this NASJA has planned for meetings with JICA officials on the 2nd or 3rd of July to initiate dialogue on further collaboration post-TICAD V. A meeting with the African Development bank is also scheduled for the 9th of July 2013 to discuss on the same.
Finally, with what has been achieved so far and what NASJA is looking to achieve through collaboration with other organizations concerned with development in Africa, and Japan-Africa Cooperation, we hope for a bright future for NASJA.
Compiled by
Melissa Wanjiru
Interim Vice Chair