Tokyo, Japan -- Ah yes. The Land of the Rising Sun. Just like most of you guys, I presume, have looked up the entire internet to get substantive information about the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths or more popularly known as “JENESYS”.  Unfortunately, there’s not much out there and most of the blog posts are from three years ago or written in another language.

The JENESYS Programme (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) is a project advanced by the Japanese government from the standpoint of providing a sound foundation for strong solidarity within Asia through large-scale youth exchange.

Japan International Cooperation Center or JICE is the organization in-charge of conducting the program in cooperation with various local governments, schools, and international exchange organizations in each area. Approximately 6,000 youths from overseas to Japan every year with a view towards promoting mutual understanding and friendship with Japanese youths and citizens.

A group of approximately 30 to 200 youths visits Japan and stays for around 10 days; first participating in a common program in Tokyo, and then dividing into subgroups of 20 to 30 youths, each joining a local program. Group programs are mainly composed of school visits and home stays to promote mutual understanding, friendship, and trust through firsthand exchange with Japanese students and local residents. For some specific fields, we also offer programs that combine exchange and training. (Source: JICE)

During my time in 2015, JICE and ASEAN brought promising youth to the land of the rising sun via youth government agencies of the 10 ASEAN states (plus Timor-Leste). The Philippines, where I’m proudly residing as a national, has the National Youth Commission to administer the applications.

Last Friday night, a friend of mine randomly posted an announcement from the National Youth Commission (NYC) on our group chat with regard to the call for application of the first batch (JENESYS 2015). 

Here's how to ace it!

Manila, Philippines -- "What else am I bound to do?"

 It is evident that research unlocks doors and can ultimately dictate and influence where a country should head in terms of education, economy, political and socio-cultural conditions and most importantly (in my career), policy-making instruments. The Philippines needs to uplift its administrative workings in the areas of scientific research and must invest heavily on development studies and the restructuring of domestic and foreign policy to influence trade and economic growth. 

The government-funded R&D remains to be an underinvestment. In a paper entitled Improving the Philippine Research and Development Statistical System by Bernie S. Justimbaste, the Philippines used up a total of P 4.5 billion on R&D in 2002, and this figure represents a measly 0.11 % of the country’s 2002 gross domestic product (GDP), a decrease from 0.19 % in 1996 and 0.22 % in 1992. (Justimbaste, Improving the Philippine Research and Development Statistical System, 2004) 

Proof of this underinvestment is the five percent of the total public expenditure for agriculture has been allocated for agriculture research; whereas the ratio of budgetary outlay for price stabilization programs alone was in the range of 10 percent over the past decade (Cororotan, 2003).

As an aspiring Foreign Service officer, I dare to take a big step towards gaining a global insight and uplifting the high standards of the foreign relations of the Philippines to the world. To be able to utilize what I'll grasp and gradually apply these internationally-recognized pedagogy in the creation of a sound relations. 

"I know I could start even though I'm young."

Knowing personally the Ambassadors of the Republic of the Philippines as my professors in the College of International Relations - LPU made me internalize how critical it is to acquire an education tied to its Philippine roots especially in the creation and implementation of an effective foreign policy. Securing the economic and political stability of the region requires precision in decision-making and a high level of background in international affairs.

For a country that trains its people to leave, I stand to make our country "worth the investment" by being an astounding front-liner; culminated through my education in the international stage.

From left to right: Alex from the US, Aygun from Azerbaijan, Ranitya from Indonesia, Linara from Azerbaijan, Muhammad from Pakistan, Adam from the Philippines, Antoine from France, Merve from Turkey, Aaron from Canada, Veronika from Macedonia, Juliana from the US, Laurent from the Netherlands, Sandy from Syria, Yilmaz from Germany and Meerim from Kyrgyzstan. Young Leaders at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Photo (c) Rovshan Muradov

Manila, Philippines -- While scrolling through my feed, I stumble upon a prestigious conference searching for young applicants -- 100% funded to the capital of Azerbaijan. (c) Gunnar Knetchel Photography

When I found out that we had been chosen to come to the U.S. capital, many hurdles still lay ahead. "Several sleepless nights at the dormitory rooftop while doing research, last minute visa applications…. humiliation from people that we will never make it, empty stomach and pockets, and most of all, the lack of support from the people around us, they thought that we're young and incapable," 

Pascual arrived at the World Bank headquarters  dressed in the full national regalia of the Philippines called Barong Tagalog, made with pineapple leaf fiber. His proposal for a free mobile application geared towards increasing global awareness and inspiring environmentally friendly actions through gamification won "audience favorite." - World Bank Group