Asian-Pacific Childrenʼs Convention in Fukuoka (APCC)APCC:Asian-Pacific Children's CThe "1st Asia-Pacific Children's Conference in Fukuoka" was launched in 1989 (Heisei 1) as a participating event in the "Asia-Pacific Exposition (Yokatopia)," which commemorated the 100th anniversary of Fukuoka City's founding. Supported by grants and sponsorship from numerous public institutions, government agencies, businesses, and organizations, and run by enthusiastic volunteers from the prefecture, this grassroots initiative has grown throughout the Heisei era, now celebrating its 37th year. The 1989 "1st Asia-Pacific Children's Conference in Fukuoka" was planned and implemented by the Fukuoka Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCCI) as a commemorative event for the JCCI National Convention. The JCCI initiated the initiative with the hope of giving impressionable, innocent 11-year-olds an opportunity to experience the diverse values of the world, thereby fostering a sense of peaceful coexistence with people from around the world. Furthermore, as the city closest to our Asian neighbors and a long-standing hub for continental cultural exchange in Japan, the JCCI launched the initiative with the aim of further enhancing Fukuoka's appeal as an international city. This civic movement, funded by the local government, donations from corporate sponsors and our Supporters' Association has developed from a simple international exchange event into an international educational program involving a number of cities and schools. In 1998, to commemorate the 10th APCC, an international network of former APCC participants, “BRIDGE CLUB” (BC), was founded. BC has branch organizations in a number of our participating countries and regions and they work to promote peace and coexistence between their members and the wider community. When the APCC marked its 20th anniversary in 2008, all the BCs came together and founded the "BRIDGE CLUB International Organization" (BCIO). BCIO has produced APCC Global BRIDGE Leaders who were expected to become the driving force to disseminate the APCC vision and strive to embody it through lively activities as OMOIYARI global citizens. During the same 20th year, APCC started the “Nurturing Project” which was continually conducted for the next decade, to further develop the children of Fukuoka by equipping them with global knowledge and perspectives after they had their first international exchange experience at age 11
As outlined above, APCC got an early start working on the development of global leaders, a necessity which has now become an urgent national issue. Based on our achievements over the past years, we have expanded the range and aims of this effort. From 2019 we have added new features to our two main programs,"BRIDGE Summer Camp"and dispatch-type program centered on spring break ’"BRIDGE Challenge Trip"and provide even further support for our participants to grow. APCC has taken a step forward to keep building the bridge of OMOIYARI toward 50 and even 100 years from now. Children, with their flexible minds, curiosity and boundless energy, steadily carry our dreams and hopes towards fruition, opening up endless possibilities in the coming era. For more information about our programs, BRIDGE Club International Organization, and the many local BRIDGE Clubs around the world, please visit their website on our "Links and Resources" page on the left.
