On Friday 3 March, The Embassy of Japan and JLGC hosted the UK JET Reunion Reception to thank recent UK JET Programme alumni for their time working in schools and local authorities across Japan. The reception was the first time such an event had been held since the start of the pandemic, and around 150 guests, including those who returned to the UK in the last three years, attended.
After speeches by His Excellency Ambassador Hayashi and JLGC’s Director General Suzuki, Ryan Keeble, Chairman of the JET Alumni Association UK, also spoke and encouraged alumni to get involved in local chapter activities and volunteer for committees and events, The reception was held to support the talented group of alumni who continue to further nurture links between Japan and the UK.
Following the reception, on Saturday, 4 March, the JETAA-UK Annual General Meeting was held to discuss chapter activities, UK committee business and carry out the annual executive elections. It was held with committee members from the five active chapters from across the UK attending in person, with lively discussions taking place over the two days.
The discussions were on activities over the last year, apprising how things went with events such as Japan matsuri festivals held across the regions, walking events, online Japanese lessons and culture days and many other activities in a very active year for all chapters throughout the UK.
This year saw all committee roles up for re-election and a new committee member filling the chairperson, treasurer, and country representative for the JETAA-International committee and other key positions. In addition, new chapter committee members who were recently voted in were in attendance representing alumni in the regions.
The committee also reviewed the Careers Fair held by JLGC in October last year. JETAA committee members will continue to work with JLGC on improving the careers fair and helping it expand to be even more helpful to alumni starting their career in the UK post-JET and a more effective way to encourage alumni to volunteer in JETAA chapters throughout the UK.
JLGC also attended and confirmed it would continue to support activities for former JET Programme participants in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in the UK through the support of JETAA and organising the careers fair with them, as well as thanking them for supporting last year’s careers fair which was the most well attended in recent years.
Sunday saw a cultural activity with delegates walking to Japan House London from JLGC’s office in Whitehall, followed by lunch and committee members departing home. JLGC would like to thank all delegates for their time, hard work organising events and continued support of JET alumni in all ways, from social events to careers support, as well as supporting recruitment for the JET Programme.
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