JETAA Jamaica News 2019-20

JETAA International Meeting 2019

One of the highlights of this year, was the privilege I had to represent Jamaica/JETAA Jamaica at the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA) International Meeting in Tokyo from 29 November to 1 December 2019.

Along with 18 other Country Representatives from member chapters from countries across the world, we evaluated the work of JETAA International (JETAA-I) over the past three years; shared excellent ideas on resolving issues that were being faced by our member chapters; and developed plans for the next three years. The deliberations were enriched with contributions from the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), National Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (National AJET), and the Japanese Government Ministries involved in administering the JET Programme (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology – MEXT; Ministry of Foreign Affairs – MOFA; and Ministry of International Relations and Communications – MIC). Funding for the meeting (including flights, accommodation and venue) was provided by the Japanese Government.

Two of the challenges shared by smaller chapter such as Jamaica were that of engaging with the current JETs and increasing the number of active members. Strategies identified for addressing these challenges included: collecting contact information from new JETs prior to their departure for Japan and maintaining contact with them while in Japan; informing the new JETs of the alumni association's social media platforms and encouraging them to like/follow;

search for JET Returnees on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook and reach out to them; and issue a call out via social media for JET Returnees to make contact with the alumni association.

To promote continuity at the leadership level it was agreed that the maximum number of years JETAA-I Executive Officers could serve would move from 2 to 3 years. Elections would however continue to be held annually.

Contributed by Marsha Dennie, JETAA Jamaica President