Tottori-Vermont

Youth Environmental Leadership Program

Green Across the Pacific is helping to initiate a youth exchange for students from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, and Vermont, USA.  The Governors of Vermont and Tottori have entered into a friendship agreement between the two regions.  Introducing youth exchange represents part of a larger effort to improve cultural and economic relations between Vermont and Tottori to our mutual benefit.

In September of 2009, a delegation from Tottori visited several Vermont high schools for the purpose of developing youth exchange partners.  Harwood Union High School and Mount Abraham Union High School emerged as our initial partners in Vermont.

Student exchange will begin in Vermont this spring.  In 2011, we anticipate a reciprocal visit to Tottori, Japan, in April following a Vermont program in March.

During the week of March 22nd, 2010, thirteen high school students, two university students and five adults from Tottori, Japan, will visit Harwood and Mount Abraham Union High Schools for a program centered on Environmental Leadership.  Students from Harwood and Mt. Abe will pair with Tottori students to develop plans for affordable, green housing units.  Students will begin their project work online in February, and complete their projects by mid-April.  Local architects and developers will mentor students during this process.

  Follow their Green Building Design Blog!

The delegation from Tottori will arrive in Vermont on Friday March 19th and depart on Sunday March 28th.  While in Vermont, Tottori students will enjoy staying with local families in each district.  During the work week, students will spend Monday and Friday in School based activities.  Tuesday through Thursday, participating Vermont students will join students from Tottori for three full days of field activities, including a visit to Montpelier, tour of a LEED certified building, a local business, and studies with a field naturalist.  A farewell dinner, complete with display of student work, will be arranged for Saturday March 27th.

This is an exciting opportunity for students from Harwood and Mt. Abe to meet students from Tottori and learn about Japanese culture while addressing important shared Environmental challenges.  It will provide a chance to get out and involved in a meaningful way during the peak of cabin fever season in Vermont.

To learn about participating in this opportunity, students and families at Harwood Union High School may contact Tedin Lange, and students at Mount Abraham Union High School may contact Bruce Babbitt or Gabe Hamilton.

Green Across the Pacific is very excited to be part of this new and valuable program