A Japanese government-backed overseas volunteer program for the young has been presented with this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award.
The Philippines-based award, given to individuals and groups for contributions to peace and development in Asia, has been dubbed Asia’s Nobel Prize.
The award ceremony took place in Manila on Wednesday. Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers is one of the 3 groups that received this year’s award. 3 individuals also got the award. The group is operated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA.
JICA sends Japanese aged 20 to 39 with specialized knowledge in a wide range of areas, including education and agriculture, to developing nations.
More than 12 thousand volunteers have been dispatched to Asia since the program began in 1965.
The head of JICA, Shinichi Kitaoka, took part in the ceremony. He noted that the recognition went to young Japanese people who have joined hands with host country nationals by acquiring their language and culture, and blending both into their daily lives.
He expressed readiness to maintain forward momentum to contribute to the development of Asia.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was created in honor of a former Philippine president.
Source: NHK Image: Asahi
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