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2019.02.18

27 youngsters from 23 countries/regions take up the challenge of regional revitalization
“Awaji Youth Federation” Second Year of AYF Fellows’ Ceremony
Held on Sunday, February 24th in Awaji Island

TOKYO, February 18th, 2019 - Pasona Group Inc. has made possible the “Awaji Youth Federation” program’s second year of AYF Fellow which brings together distinguished young international individuals and social entrepreneurs for the creation of new industries and regional revitalization through the utilization of their diverse values and knowledge. The ceremony to commemorate the start of the new unit will be held on Sunday, February 24th at the “Manabi no Sato”, a Pasona Group’s facility, in Ei, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Following the first year of AYF Fellows, which started from December 2017, out of the 25 foreign individuals who completed the program, 18 have decided to remain and pursue their careers in Awaji Island, aiming to create further innovations to solve regional issues and contribute to the internationalization of Awaji.

On this occasion, more than 1,000 individuals from 83 countries and regions applied to be part of the second year of AYF Fellows. Resulting of a thorough selection process are 24 distinguished foreign Fellows who possess professional knowledge and experience, such as entrepreneurial experts, lawyers, government officials, artists, etc. Over the next year, a total of 27 Fellows from 23 countries and regions, including Japan, will take up the challenge of generating innovations to further regional revitalization by implementing their experiences and expertise.

Pasona Group will continue striving to realize a “Global Awaji Island” from which will be transmitted global information through various innovations, starting with the “Awaji Youth Federation”, and will create new dream-like industries.

Overview: “Awaji Youth Federation” Second Year of AYF Fellows

Start of the program:	Sunday, February 24th
Objective:	Young international individuals, who will carve the path for future generations, gather in Awaji Island in order to learn free-spiritedly, to debate ideas, and cultivate human resources to develop new industries
Prerequisites for the participants:	・Individuals who graduated from a four-year college or graduate school ・Individuals who have a TOEIC score of 800+ or equivalent ・Must be familiar with one of the eight following specific fields: 　1. AI/IoT, 2. Digital Art, 3. Tourism, 4. Food/Agriculture, 　5. Music, 6. Health/Sports, 7. Education, 8. Arts and Crafts
Duration of the program:	1 year
Number of participants:	27 individuals from 23 different countries and regions
Contents:	Delegate missions related to regional revitalization, entrepreneurship / ventures, culture creation, and international relations to each individuals and teams in order to launch new businesses and projects which would lead to regional activities. Training: (offered solely in English) ・Experience practical training in order to learn through practice to detect problems ・Attend classroom courses training in the form of lectures from experts and professionals ・Receive advice and guidance by sector leaders ・Engage in Pasona Group’s regional revitalization projects ・Participate to Japanese coaching lessons Career building support: After completing the program, besides continuing the regional revitalization in Awaji Island, Pasona Group will utilize its global network in order to support the career advancement in various aspects such as assisting in the employment within outstanding international and domestic organizations and companies; aiding entrepreneurship in Japan, etc.
Administration:	Operated by the “AYF Leadership Team” consisting of the following members: ・President: Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Emeritus Professor of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) ・Deputy President: Hideaki Otaka (Vice Chairman of Pasona Group / Former President of Toyota North America, Inc.) ・Chief Executive Officer: Akemi Aota (Chief Executive Officer of Pasona Education Co. Limited in Hong Kong) ・Senior Managing Director Elizabeth Masamune (Former Senior Trade Minister of the Australian Government)
URL:	https://awaji-youth-federation.com/
Inquiries:	Pasona Group, Awaji Youth Federation Secretariat +81-50-3684-4385

“Awaji Youth Federation”Second Year of AYF Fellows’ Opening Ceremony

Date: Sunday, February 24th, 2019 from 10:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Pasona Group’s “Manabi no Sato”, 682 Ei, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Contents:
・Greetings from the President of Awaji Youth Federation, Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa
・Greetings from Pasona Group’s CEO and Founder, Yasuyuki Nambu
・Congratulatory speeches by guests of honor
・Deliverance of letter of appointment
・Deliverance of answer to address from Fellow Representative
・Commemorative photo

*All of which will be followed by a social gathering lunch from 12:30pm and a special lecture from President Kurokawa as of 15:00.

“Awaji Youth Federation” First Year of AYF Fellows

▲Opening Ceremony in December 2017	▲Fulfilling classroom courses training provided by lecturers
▲ Actively participating in local events in order to learn about Japanese culture	▲ Manage various internationally styled events

Pasona Group efforts towards the Internationalization of Awaji Island

Heretofore, Pasona Group has been executing various initiatives towards regional revitalization as well as the globalization of Awaji Island. “Awaji Art Circus”, an event in which professional artists selected from all around the world present various performances throughout Awaji, began in 2015 and celebrated its fourth anniversary last year. With the sponsorship not only of the Japan Tourism Agency and the Japan National Tourism Organization, but also of the city of Awaji, Sumoto and Minami Awaji, the Group has established community events involving the entirety of Awaji.
Furthermore, Pasona Group has been holding, since 2016, a world event called “UNDOKAI World Cup” which consists of a sports festival competition where anyone can feel free to participate to. Based on the concept of “regional revitalization, health and traditional culture”, the Group is aiming to create a society where individuals remain healthy.

Inquiries
PR Department, Pasona Group Inc.

+81-3-6734-0215

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