TOSHIBA YOUTH CONFERENCE 2011 CAMP REPORT
About this year's camp
Though the hosting of the fourth Toshiba Youth Conference for a Sustainable Future was in danger of cancellation
due to the earthquake in Japan, it was held successfully overseas (in Thailand) for the first time. It begun in 2008
as an opportunity for the youth of the world's nations to engage in global discussions of topics of interests from
each nation, was held for one week this year from August 12th through the 18th in Thailand. During the four years
the Conference was held, a total of 36 high school students and 23 teachers participated from various countries,
including the US, Thailand, Japan, and Poland. (Poland began participating in 2009.)
The week was spent based on the Farm Chokchai and Sirindhorn Science Home outside Bangkok, from where visits
were made to facilities featuring everything from the natural environment to the latest technology. Discussions were
held in English on each topic. While spending daily life together, participants were able to overcome barriers of
language and culture to discover common issues. Continuing from previous years, the Act Eco Journal camp
newspaper, a characteristic of the program even when compared to other overseas camps, was prepared. Each
participant played the role of news reporter, carrying out interviews at each location visited and writing articles.
Day1
There was a sense that the participants this year were able to begin enjoying themselves somewhat quicker than
normal. The American team and the Japan team joined up with the Poland and Thailand teams that evening at the
airport in Thailand, and later all participants road a bus to Farm Chockchai. Cultural exchange was already in full
swing during the bus ride. The greetings upon arrival at Farm Chockchai were kept to a minimum in consideration
of the following day's schedule, and everyone was allowed to go right to bed.
Day2
An icebreaking in which everyone was able to learn each others' names in a short time, quickly breaking the ice.
Next, during goal sharing, discussions were held regarding the camp's goals. In the afternoon, presentations of the
pre-assignments were given by each school. Nervousness due to giving a presentation in front of the participants for
the first time was readily apparent. Compared to the presentations given before the last day, these were only first
steps both technically and in terms of content, but the effort made was clear.
Day3
This day began with mountain hiking, and was a day to fully enjoy Farm Chockchai Participants broke up into groups
for the tour of the Eco facilities so that each could work on various issues. Thai staff members gave explanations at
each corner in the facilities, speaking fluently in English without interpreters. This was a major outdoor tour for the
participating high school students, who carefully took notes and photographs, listening closely and asking questions
in English.
Day4
Participants traveled to the Royal Nature Conservation Center on this day where they split into groups to be given
explanations. There was also a shortage of time, and the tour was a bit rushed. That afternoon, they traveled to
the second lodging facility, the Sirindhorn Science Home.
Day5
The morning OST (Open space technology) workshop was held with the participation of teachers as well. The OST
groups also became the presentation groups the following day. There was a lecture regarding presentations in the
afternoon. As it was helpful for the following day's presentation, the participants listened very closely.
Day6
The final presentation was given in the afternoon. While the students were somewhat nervous, they had been able
to rehearse using what they had prepared for the previous day's presentation lecture. The framework of the
presentations was well put together, and many of the students gave expert speeches. The Thai media participated
in they day's press conference, but there was some hesitation due to the style of the press conference being
different from Japan. However, with cooperation from the facility, the presentations were carried out successfully.
Day7
Before returning to their countries in the evening, the participants enjoyed Bangkok site seeing and a farewell party.
During the site seeing, participants experienced the different culture while touring Thai cultural facilities. Everyone
was able to return to their home countries with out anyone missing their plane. In the end, the Thai participants
remained to send off those from the US, Poland, and Japan until they had all departed.
@ Farm Chokchai
Icebreaking(day2)
Ice cream making (day3)
Presentaion (day6)
@ Sirindhorn Science Home
