Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – St. John Baptist De La Salle Catholic School was deeply honored to welcome distinguished guests on February 25th for a significant visit focused on fostering international understanding and cultural exchange. We had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the city of Itabashi, Japan, alongside Ethiopia's esteemed Minister of Culture and Tourism, Her Excellency Workenesh Birru.
The visit marked a wonderful opportunity to strengthen ties between our school community and Japan. The delegation from Itabashi, known for its interest in cultural partnerships, engaged in fruitful discussions with school leadership and H.E. Workenesh Birru. The atmosphere was one of warmth, collaboration, and shared enthusiasm for connecting young people across continents.
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Central to the discussions was the exploration of potential cultural exchange programs. Both the Itabashi delegation and Minister Workenesh Birru expressed strong interest in creating avenues for students to learn more about each other's rich cultures, traditions, and ways of life. The presence of the Minister underscored the national importance placed on such international cultural initiatives.
A particularly exciting outcome of the meeting was the enthusiastic agreement to pursue a virtual student exchange initiative. The plan involves organizing online meetings where students from St. John Baptist De La Salle can connect directly with students in Itabashi, Japan. This initiative aims to:
- Foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship.
- Allow students to share experiences and perspectives firsthand.
- Utilize technology to overcome geographical barriers and create meaningful global connections.
While the virtual exchange program is currently in the planning stages following this positive agreement, the commitment from all parties was clear. Steps are being considered to facilitate this innovative project, offering our students a unique window into Japanese culture and a chance to build international friendships directly from their classrooms.
The visit concluded on a high note, with renewed commitment to exploring cultural collaborations. We extend our sincere gratitude to the delegation from Itabashi and to H.E. Workenesh Birru for gracing our school with their presence and for their dedication to building bridges between Ethiopia and Japan through education and cultural exchange.
We look forward to sharing further updates on the development of the virtual student exchange program and other potential cultural initiatives stemming from this important visit. Stay tuned!