The Local Government Exchange & Cooperation Seminar

LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE & COOPERATION SEMINAR 2023

in Kouhoku, Saga and Tokyo

3 December (Sun) – 9 December (Sat) 2023

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Come and join us for this 7-day seminar where you can have a unique opportunity to learn about the Japanese government system and visit a Japanese local government area to discover their best practices and initiatives!

We are offering eligible participants the opportunity to visit Japan

In order to promote a better understanding of Japanese local governments and culture, the Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar aims to bring together people from Australia, New Zealand and Japan working in local governments and other relevant organisations and exchange information on current local government issues. Here are the details on the upcoming Seminar’s themes and Kouhoku Town in Saga Prefecture, the host local government of the 2023 Seminar.

Themes

Sustainable Development in Small Local Government

• Regional collaborations

• Disaster prevention

• Development of sewerage facilities etc.

Eligibilities

(Up to 5 participants from Australia and New Zealand combined)

• Local government executives

• Executives of organisations engaging in international relations or cooperation between municipalities

• Applicants from national organisations, research institutes, or other organisations may be accepted providing their backgrounds are relevant to the themes of the Seminar

Schedule

The Seminar will be held from Sunday, 3 December to Saturday, 9 December 2023. Participants will arrive in Tokyo before travelling to Kouhoku Town. For further details, please refer to the Outline.

Cost

CLAIR covers domestic transportation, accommodation, group attended meals and travel insurance in Japan. Roundtrip airfare to Japan and personal expenses (e.g., telecom expenses, meals) are not covered.

To Apply

Please fill in the Form and send it to mailbox@jlgc.org.au by Friday, 15 September 2023.

About Kouhoku Town

Please visit here, for information about Kouhoku Town.

     Past seminars:

•             2022

  • • Date: 5 February – 14 February 2023
    • Host Organisation: Kitakyushu City Government
    • Theme: Environmental policies and tourism resource management

• 　　　2021

  • • • Date: 3 February – 4 February 2022 
      • Organiser: The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)
      • Theme: Net Zero Emissions Strategies
      • Due to travel restrictions, this year’s seminar was held virtually

• •      2019

    • • Date: 3 February – 12 February 2020
      • Host Organisation: Miyakonojo City Government
      • Theme: Encouraging local development through primary industries : Local industry promotion

         2018

    • • Date: 12 February –  21 February 2019
      • Host Organisation: Kohoku Town Government
      • Theme: Building appealing and livable towns in the face of Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population

         2017

    • • Date: 12 February – 21 February 2018
      • Host Organisation: Higashine City Government
      • Themes:
        1. Town planning and personal development through child care measures and education geared towards population growth
        2. Efforts by regional cities to encourage more international tourists to visit by making full use of local resources

         2016

    • • Date: 12 February – 22 February 2017
      • Host Organisation: Masuda City Government
      • Themes:
        1. International visitor attraction through the culture and history of a small provincial city
        2. Promoting region-wide tourism collaboration with adjacent cities

         2015

    • • Date: 1 November – 11 November 2015
      • Host organisation: Yamato Takada City Government
      • Themes:
        1. Meaning of Sister City Exchange
        2. Harmonise Town Planning and Heritage Conservation

    For further information, please see the link below:

           2015 Local Government Exchange and Co-operation Seminar

          2014

    • • Date: 16 November – 26 November 2014
      • Host Organisation: Sakaide City Government
      • Theme:
        1. Making the best use of regional characteristics

    For further information, please see the link below:

             2014 Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar

    2013

    • • Date: 2 February – 12 February 2014
      • Host Organisation: Aomori Prefectural Government
      • Theme:
        1. Promoting winter tourism and educational tours making the best use of local resources

    For further information, please see the link below:

     2013 Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar

    2012

    • • Date: 28 October – 7 November
      • Host Organisation: Aichi Prefectural Government
      • Themes:
        1. Using art, culture and tourism to enhance Aichi Prefecture: International Art Festival — Aichi Triennale
        2. ‘Eco Mobility Life’: a campaign which encourages prefectural residents to rethink their reliance on their cars as a means of everyday transportation

    2011

    • • Date: 6 November – 16 November
      • Host Organisation: Okayama Prefectural Government
      • Theme:
        1. Community revitalisation and development through citizen engagement and initiatives

    2010

    • • Date: 7 November – 17 November
      • Host Organisation: Okayama City Government
      • Themes:
        1. Creating an environmentally friendly city
        2. Approaches to community welfare services, especially those for the elderly