2023 Spring Online Workshop

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“Navigating Renewed Opportunities for Sister Cities”

May 19, 2023 | Zoom

May 2023…. How is everybody doing?

Q1. �Have you restarted outbound in-person exchanges (from California to Japan)?

Have you restarted outbound in-person exchanges (from California to Japan)?

Data collected through workshop registration as of May 15, 2023

Yes 37

No 10

Total 47

(# of California-Japan relationships that responded)

Q2. �Have you restarted inbound in-person exchanges (from Japan to California)?

Have you restarted inbound in-person exchanges (from Japan to California)?

Data collected through workshop registration as of May 15, 2023

Yes 32

No 15

Total 47

(# of California-Japan relationships that responded)

Data collected through workshop registration as of May 15, 2023

From California

to Japan

From Japan to California

Q3. �If you have not restarted any in-person exchanges, please explain the reasons why

US Cities

Data collected through workshop registration as of May 15, 2023

• New Mayor in Japan
• Lack of resources; budgetary constraints
• Too long a delay due to the pandemic, slow to start
• Working to resume in 2024
• Japanese counterpart still hesitant. Waiting for their approval (inbound and outbound)
• Difficulty finding host families in the U.S. (inbound)
• Concerns about travel safety and logistics (outbound)

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Japanese Cities

Data collected through workshop registration as of May 15, 2023

• The city hasn’t officially approved it yet
• Prefer online exchanges – less expensive and easier to participate
• Still concerned about COVID and students’ safety. 2023 is too soon
• Still watching how other cities are conducting programs
• Can’t really assess if our sister city counterpart organization and citizens are ready to resume

Common Concerns

Post Pandemic Uncertainties

• Logistical challenges
• Need for COVID contingency plans
• Need for travel protection (travel insurance)

Thank you!