“ONE SCHOOL, ONE COUNTRY” PROGRAM

Yokohama endeavors to bring Africa closer to the next generation of young people and to promote international exchange. As of May 2019, 80 elementary and junior high schools in the city have engaged in the “One School, One Country” program, which connects students with one of 34 participating African countries. Ambassadors visit schools to speak and interact with the children, among a range of related activities.

Participating schools and countries (As of May 2019)

◆ 80 municipal schools
(68 elementary schools, 11 junior high schools, 1 combined elementary and junior high school)　　
◆ 34 African embassies in Japan

Exchange period

◆ From June 2017 to March 2021

Activities

◆ School visits by ambassadors, embassy visits by students, school lunches featuring African cuisine, etc.

Past “One School, One Country” events

May 2019: “Countdown: 100 Days” TICAD 7 event in Minato Mirai

On May 19, an event marking the remaining days before TICAD 7 is held in Yokohama, “Countdown: 100 Days,” was held at Queen’s Circle in Minato Mirai. Elementary, junior high, and high school students presented their schools’ various exchange activities with Africa.

October 2018: Journalists from France and 10 African countries cover TICAD-related activities in Yokohama

Members of the press from 10 African countries and France covering the TICAD Ministerial Meeting on October 6 and 7 visited Yokohama to report on its related initiatives on October 4, 2018.
The journalists were first briefed on Yokohama’s activities in anticipation of TICAD 7 before heading to a local elementary school in the “One School, One Country” program. They observed the students in their classes, doing the cleaning chores, and having lunch.
Some expressed their amazement at the students doing the cleaning and tasks for getting lunch ready of their own initiative, and remarked that they would tell people back home about it.

July 2018: Ambassador of Botswana visits Chigasaki elementary school

H.E. Mr. Nkoloi NKOLOI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Botswana to Japan, visited the Chigasaki elementary school on July 6, 2018, to interact with the students.
Since Yokohama hosted TICAD IV in 2008, the Botswana Embassy has enabled citizen exchange programs between Tsuzuki Ward and Botswana, especially exhibitions featuring paintings by elementary school children from both regions. The fifth such exhibition took place last year in 2018.
During the visit, the Ambassador gave a speech to the students, and Embassy staff provided an introduction to Botswana. The initially reserved students soon warmed to the Ambassador and enjoyed hearing about animals, such as lions and elephants, as well as Botswana’s large yields of diamonds.

June 2018: Benin Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation visits Yokohama

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Aurélien Agbenonci, visited Kasama Elementary School in Sakae Ward on June 20, 2018. The school had previously taken part in exchange activities with Suru-lere Elementary School in Cotonou. Students had been studying Benin as part of the “One School, One Country” program ahead of TICAD 7.
Minister Agbenonci paid a visit to the sixth grade’s classroom to interact with the students before attending a welcoming assembly, where students from the fourth through sixth grades participated and performed songs and dances and presented what they had learned about Benin in their studies.