What’s Happening?
Japanese high school students from Kani City visited Redland City Council during an Australian study tour of Redlands Coast.
While seated in Council Chambers, the group learnt how local government works in Queensland. The Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation organised the program.
Their wider tour combined local government education with school, cultural and environmental activities across Redlands Coast.
Why It Matters?
The visit connected local government education with a direct exchange between the Japanese group and Redlands students.
Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the group gained insight into Council and the wider community.
“As part of their visit, the students learnt about Redlands Coast and Council’s role in the community,” Cr Talty said. “The visit also provided an opportunity for cultural and educational exchange,” she said.
Students spent time at Cleveland District State High School, “sharing perspectives on life in Japan”. They also learnt about “Australian education, community life and local government”.
Cr Talty said the relationships formed through these exchanges could continue well beyond the visit.
“These exchanges help build understanding, friendships and connections between young people from both communities,” she said.
Cr Talty added that they create “benefits that extend well beyond the duration of the visit”.
“Council’s involvement in the study tour continues to strengthen the relationship we have with the city of Kani,” she said. The relationship also extends to “Japan in general”.
Local Impact
The delegation’s stay supported local accommodation, transport, dining and tourism providers. It also presented Redlands Coast as a welcoming destination for future international exchanges.
Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio representative Councillor Paul Bishop welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Acting Mayor.
Cr Bishop said Council’s close friendship with Kani City had encouraged several student visits.
“We have been fortunate to host a number of delegations under the Kani Student Ambassador Program,” Cr Bishop said.
By The Numbers
- The delegation brought 20 Japanese high school students from Kani City to Redlands Coast for the Australian study tour.
- Council’s close friendship with Kani City began in 2012 and continues through student visits and wider community collaboration.
- Four local places featured in the itinerary: Council Chambers, Cleveland District State High School, Minjerribah and Redland IndigiScapes Centre.
Zoom In
Kani City is located in Japan’s south-central Gifu Prefecture, within the Kani basin. The Kani Student Ambassador Program supports Council’s International Relations objectives through education, cultural understanding and social connections.
It also generates economic activity through international visits and supports future collaboration between both communities. At the same time, it maintains the longstanding relationship between Redlands Coast and Kani City.
The Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation supports collaboration between Australia and Japan. Its work promotes cross-cultural understanding and environmental preservation.
Zoom Out
The exchange connects local government, school education and international relations within one regional visit.
It also brings economic value through local spending and promotes Redlands Coast to future visiting groups. Together, these outcomes extend the program’s value beyond the students’ time in the region.
What To Look For Next?
During their stay, the students plan to visit North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Redland IndigiScapes Centre at Capalaba.
Those visits will extend their experience of the region’s community, culture and environment. The program may also support further exchanges between Redlands Coast and Kani City.
