Serving The Purpose

The project directly and indirectly
promotes the name of GRIPS in theworld of diplomacy and international
relations.

EMBASSIES
With student networks, we were able toorganize 6 embassy visits. They wereAustralia, China, Malaysia, South Korea,
Switzerland and the Philippines.

2014 – 2015 GRIPS International Student Council Initiative

World Embassy Tour

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Australia
Date: 25 August 2015
Number of delegates: 15

Japan has been trying hard to enhance
its soft power through various means.
International education is one of theinstruments that has been utilized by
Japan for many decades. GRIPS has been
serving as an important public
diplomacy tool in order to maintain its
position in the international relations
arena. To strengthen GRIPS’
relationships with major players in theworld and to enhance the knowledge of
GRIPS students. World Embassy Tour
was conceptualized and executed by Yuchen HSIEH, the president ofInternational Student Council (ISC)..

Australia was the first embassy thatconfirmed our visit. The tour started
with a very warm greeting by thedeputy head of the mission to Japan, Mr.
Tom Connor followed by presentations
presented by diplomats from variousdepartments in the topics of politicalstrategy, trade policy and resources andindustry. Q&A session and networking
activity were provided with Australian
beverages and finger foods.

PROGRAM DESIGN
Desire Of Learning
Students are the most important assetsof GRIPS. Therefore, the program wasdesigned to meet students’ expectations.
Ensuring that students having fun while
gaining valuable knowledge during theirstay with GRIPS.
The program guaranteed opportunities
of global networking by
1.

visiting various embassies in Tokyo

2.

Experiencing the cultures from allover the world

3.

Enjoying seminars conducted byAmbassadors/diplomats

4.

Chatting and networking withAmbassadors & diplomats

5.

Enjoying food from different
countries.

Student delegates served as diplomats
of GRIPS, representing the highest
quality of education offered by GRIPS.

South Korea
Date: 28 August 2015
Number of delegates: 23

The visit started with a brief
introduction by a senior researcher at
the South Korean Embassy, Ms
Wonkyung Rhee. We visited a mini
history museum, a Korean styled garden
followed by presentation introducing
Japan - South Korea relations and thechallenges South Korea is facing. At theend of session, the embassy provided
Korean lunch box during Q&A session
with senior diplomats of the embassy.

Switzerland

The Philippines

Date: 4 September 2015
Number of delegates: 18

Date: 9 September 2015
Number of delegates: 14Dr. Matthias Frey, the head of scienceand technology office of the embassy
organized the seminar with topics invery interesting Swiss political systems,
trade relations and education
promotions. All delegates were alsoamazed by the hospitality offered by His
Excellency, Ambassador Urs Bucher.
During networking session, delegates
enjoyed the simplism architecture
design of the ambassador residence andluxurious food and ice cream made byprofessional in-house chef.

ChinaDate: 8 September 2015
Number of delegates: 21

Chinese Embassy visit exceeded ourexpectation. The visit was organized bya young diplomat, Zhang Han. Delegatesfirst went to a summit-talk styled room
to experience the atmosphere, allowing
delegates taking photo there. Then wewere guided to a huge hall and greetedby more than 10 diplomats. Including
the minister counselor, Rong Ying andthe emcee, Xie Yunghui. There was not aseminar, instead, GRIPS delegates weredivided into 4 groups to network with
diplomats, making the discussion moreinteresting and lively. Chinese finger
food were served during the discussion.
Delegates were led to Chinese garden
next to Ambassador’s residence where
the smell of peace between Japan andChina could be felt.

THE OUTCOMES
Successful Public Diplomacy.
World Embassy Tour (WET) was a very
successful initiative. Participants did notjust enjoy wonderful food offered byeach respective embassy, but learnedand grasped the position each embassy
held.

Thanks to the arrangement by Ms
Vanesa Sumera, the secretary to theambassador. GRIPS delegates were able
to enjoy the whole program. Anembassy tour and history introduction
were very well guided by Consul
Dominic Xavier M. Imperial. His
Excellency, the ambassador, Manuel M.
Lopez delivered a very informative
lecture to all delegates. Topics including
Japan – Philippine relations, economic
growth and tourism. GRIPS delegateswere encouraged to ask many questions
during Q&A session. The networking
session were spectacular, delegateswere treated with authentic Filipino
food and drinks.

Malaysia
Date: 10 September 2015
Number of delegates: 12

WET was a Win-Win-Win projects. Theproject was not an event just for
students, but it benefited allparticipating embassies and GRIPS itself.
For students, the project allowed
students to gain more knowledge in
how the world politics works. This was
also an excellent opportunity to enhance
the soft power of each participatingembassy through meeting these future
leaders from all over the world. And forGRIPS, WET was a connector to promote
GRIPS’ very unique programs, allowing
both embassy staff and students
understand the world class education
GRIPS has to offer.

THE LEGACY
To be continued?

Fun chat is just not enough to describe
the Malaysian embassy tour. Delegateswere briefed on the topics of politicalsystem, multiculturalism, tourism andreligious issues. During the Q&A session,
numerous interesting questions wereasked, such as politics, culture crossreligion marriage and Muslim relatedquestions. Senior counselor Azri Mat
Yacob managed to organized theMalaysian embassy tour in a fun andopen way.

The program can maintain GRIPS’ wellestablished reputation and it is so far
the quickest way to enhance theknowledge of students in the world ofinternational relations. WET has set abenchmark , we sincerely hope thelegacy can be continued for future
GRIPS summer program led by the
director of Alumni office, Karin Hillen.

For more information, please contact

Yu-chen HSIEH (Australia)
President
2014-2015 International Student Council
Email: mep14126@grips.ac.jp