August 2024
For the first time, Ireland participated in Japan's International High School Students' Photo Festival Exchange, with UCD JaSt taking a key role in organizing the Irish section of the competition.
This summer, the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies (JaSt), led by Nobuko Ijichi from the Centre for English and Global Languages reached a major milestone. For the first time, Ireland participated in Japan's International High School Students' Photo Festival Exchange, with UCD JaSt taking a key role in organizing the Irish section of the competition. In collaboration with the Department of Education's Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI), UCD JaSt attracted submissions from 20 schools across 12 counties, promoting cultural awareness and inspiring young adults to explore new perspectives on the world and heighten cultural awareness.
The Irish Section Competition's theme, "The Charm of Your Region", challenged participants to capture the unique beauty of their local areas in a portfolio of six photographs. These entries were judged by a panel of experts in photography, art, and media. The initiative seeks to foster global connections, encourage dialogue, and promote peace through visual storytelling.
The winners from St. Andrew's College, Dublin, then represented Ireland in August at the HIGASHIKAWA Youth Fest. in Hokkaido, Japan, where youth teams from 20 countries came together to share their work. During the festival, participants not only had the opportunity to showcase their work but also attended photography workshops led by top international photographers and immersed themselves in Japanese culture, interacting with the local community and students from around the world. This educational experience was invaluable for all participants.
In an exciting achievement, the Irish team of Valeria, Sara, and Elisa from St. Andrew's College won the prestigious Hokko Gakuen Award, judged by a panel of five renowned photographers. Their success highlights the talent and dedication of the Irish participants and underscores the potential for this project's future growth.
The Irish Section Competition results were:
- 1st Place: St. Andrew's College, Booterstown, Dublin
- 2nd Place: Coláiste Muire, Ennis
- 3rd Place: Coláiste Íosagáin, Baile an Bhóthair, An Charraig Dhubh
This international collaboration highlights the potential of Irish students to engage with global initiatives, showcasing their talent on the world stage. You can view the winning entries and learn more about the competition on the UCD JaSt website.
For further details on the 9th International High School Students' Photo Festival Exchange, visit the official festival details (opens in a new window)here.
Ireland Participation in the 'HIGASHIKAWA Youth Fest.' for 2024
Irish Section 1st Place Award.