On Saturday, August 3rd, I had the privilege of attending the signing ceremony for the Regina-Fujioka Friendship Agreement. The agreement came about due to a lot of hard work and much time devoted to growing a closer relationship between the City of Regina and Fujioka City (藤岡市). While the Agreement is not that of a "sister city" arrangement, it is the first step toward a much deeper relationship between the two cities.
The Agreement is based on a successful 27 year high school student exchange program where students from Fujioka come to Regina and vice-versa. Given the success of this educational program, the next logical step was to bring the two cities closer together. Perhaps this represents the next step to one day putting in place a sister city relationship.
Both Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and Fujioka Mayor Masahiro Arai (新井雅博) spoke to their views and hopes for the Agreement. Chairman of the Fujioka City Council Kiyoshi Noguchi (野口靖) was also in attendance and provided his perspective on the Agreement. Regina City Manager Chris Holden was the MC for the signing ceremony and Regina Hibiki Taiko provided some local Japanese artistry to celebrate the occasion. After the ceremony, the Fujioka delegation went on a tour of Regina City Hall and of other sites around the city. They are only in Regina for three days so I hope that they made the most of the short time they had here.
The following is a video of the full event.
This was a rare event that I was proud to attend. It is not all that often that I am able to witness and be part of an international ceremony like this in Regina - especially one that involves my "adopted" country of Japan.
From the official press release:
The City of Regina is entering into a formalized relationship with the City of Fujioka, Japan, through the signing of an official Friendship Agreement.
The Agreement, initiated after a longstanding educational exchange program, will become formalized through a commitment to promote and strengthen respective ties beyond educational connections, focusing on encouraging and facilitating cultural and economic ties and potential opportunities between the cities.
"Entering into a Friendship Agreement with Fujioka is a significant first for the City of Regina. The Agreement provides for meaningful exchanges, communication and the sharing of knowledge and best practices in areas like recreation, economic development, arts and cultural activities," said Mayor Michael Fougere.
"This agreement will enrich global awareness and communication skills of more citizens. We would like to promote the exchange between community organizations, in addition to continuing the student exchange program," said Fujioka's Mayor Arai.
The Agreement is based on a successful 27 year high school student exchange program where students from Fujioka come to Regina and vice-versa. Given the success of this educational program, the next logical step was to bring the two cities closer together. Perhaps this represents the next step to one day putting in place a sister city relationship.
Both Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and Fujioka Mayor Masahiro Arai (新井雅博) spoke to their views and hopes for the Agreement. Chairman of the Fujioka City Council Kiyoshi Noguchi (野口靖) was also in attendance and provided his perspective on the Agreement. Regina City Manager Chris Holden was the MC for the signing ceremony and Regina Hibiki Taiko provided some local Japanese artistry to celebrate the occasion. After the ceremony, the Fujioka delegation went on a tour of Regina City Hall and of other sites around the city. They are only in Regina for three days so I hope that they made the most of the short time they had here.
The following is a video of the full event.
This was a rare event that I was proud to attend. It is not all that often that I am able to witness and be part of an international ceremony like this in Regina - especially one that involves my "adopted" country of Japan.
From the official press release:
The City of Regina is entering into a formalized relationship with the City of Fujioka, Japan, through the signing of an official Friendship Agreement.
The Agreement, initiated after a longstanding educational exchange program, will become formalized through a commitment to promote and strengthen respective ties beyond educational connections, focusing on encouraging and facilitating cultural and economic ties and potential opportunities between the cities.
"Entering into a Friendship Agreement with Fujioka is a significant first for the City of Regina. The Agreement provides for meaningful exchanges, communication and the sharing of knowledge and best practices in areas like recreation, economic development, arts and cultural activities," said Mayor Michael Fougere.
"This agreement will enrich global awareness and communication skills of more citizens. We would like to promote the exchange between community organizations, in addition to continuing the student exchange program," said Fujioka's Mayor Arai.
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