As part of their tour of Redlands Coast, 20 Japanese high school students experienced sitting in Redland City Council Chambers and learning how local government works in Queensland.
The students from Kani City, Japan, were on an Australian study tour organised by the Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation (AJWCEF).
Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the group was also planning to visit North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Council’s Redland IndigiScapes Centre at Capalaba during their stay.
“As part of their visit, the students learnt about Redlands Coast and Council’s role in the community,” Cr Talty said.
“The visit also provided an opportunity for cultural and educational exchange, with students spending time at Cleveland District State High School, sharing perspectives on life in Japan while learning about Australian education, community life and local government.
“These exchanges help build understanding, friendships and connections between young people from both communities, creating benefits that extend well beyond the duration of the visit.
“Council’s involvement in the study tour continues to strengthen the relationship we have with the city of Kani and Japan in general.”
Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio representative Councillor Paul Bishop welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Acting Mayor and noted that Council had shared a close friendship with Kani City since 2012.
“We have been fortunate to host a number of delegations under the Kani Student Ambassador Program,” Cr Bishop said.
“It is wonderful to see that feedback from past visits has inspired others to come to Redlands Coast.
“These connections help foster mutual respect, global awareness and a greater appreciation of the unique communities we call home.”
Kani City is located in the south-central Gifu Prefecture in the Kani basin of Japan.
The delegation’s stay on Redlands Coast also contributed to the local visitor economy through accommodation, transport, dining and tourism experiences, while showcasing the region as a welcoming destination for future educational, cultural and tourism exchanges.
The Kani Student Ambassador Program supports Council’s International Relations objectives by creating educational opportunities, strengthening cultural understanding, fostering social connections between communities and generating economic activity through international visitation.
The program also helps maintain the longstanding relationship between Redlands Coast and Kani City and supports future collaboration between the two communities.
AJWCEF is dedicated to fostering collaboration between Australia and Japan and plays a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and environmental preservation.
