There are five CIR's in Sapporo, supporting the
city's internationalization efforts. Sapporo's CIR's are
from the U.S., Germany, China, Russia and Korea. They are active
in promoting exchange activities by serving as assistants in
international events held in Sapporo, translators and copy editors
of official documents, and interpreters for foreign visitors.
They are also involved in planning and preparing international
exchange events.
Their role also includes promoting international understanding among elementary, junior-high and high school students through visiting schools and giving lectures to them at the Plaza.
About JET Program
In 1987, municipal governments nationwide started
the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in cooperation
with the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and
Telecommunications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and CLAIR
(Council of Local Authorities for International Relations).
They serve in three capacities:
as CIR's (Coordinators for International Relations) who assist
in international exchange activities in local areas; as ALT's
(Assistant Language Teachers), who instruct foreign languages
at junior and senior high schools; and as SEA's (Sports Exchange
Advisors), who promote international exchanges through sports.
They play a significant role in promoting internationalization
at the local level. |
