{"id":399,"date":"2012-06-26T15:41:43","date_gmt":"2012-06-26T06:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lovekatano.com\/?page_id=399"},"modified":"2022-01-25T08:56:23","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T23:56:23","slug":"international-exchange-in-katano-city","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lovekatano.com\/?page_id=399","title":{"rendered":"International Exchange in Katano City"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many types of activities for international exchange in Katano City.<\/p>\n

Chapter 1. Katano International Friendship Association (KIFA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 2. The Donation of Repaired Bicycles Project<\/a><\/p>\n

Chapter 1. Katano International Friendship Association (KIFA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, Katano City concluded an international sister city agreement with Collingwood City (Canada)<\/a>. In order to deepen the relationship with Collingwood, Katano City Council established Katano City Sister City Association (KCSC) in 1982.<\/p>\n

KCSC, which attempted to promote international activities in Katano, started English classes in 1986. Since then, many citizens participated in the classes.<\/p>\n

For the purpose of expanding international exchange with other NPOs, KCSC\u00a0was reorganised as a NPO and\u00a0changed the name to\u00a0Katano International Friendship Association (KIFA)<\/a> . KIFA, unlike\u00a0KCSC,\u00a0focuses not only on English but also on other foreign languages such as Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, and opens a variety of foreign language classes for citizens.<\/p>\n

In addition, KIFA opens Japanese classes for foreign residents, which is run by Katano’s volunteers. The Japanese class, which\u00a0is opened on Mondays and Fridays,\u00a0attempts to deepen international\u00a0interaction between Katano’s\u00a0citizens and foreign residents by teaching Japanese. It always accepts any foreigners wishing to\u00a0learn Japanese.<\/p>\n

KIFA\u00a0always strives to establish a closer relationship with any foreigners and overseas cities.<\/p>\n

In July 2012, the friendship envoy from Collingwood (Canada)\u00a0came to\u00a0Katano City. They visited Katano’s historical spots, and enjoyed Katano’s culture and events.<\/p>\n

In 2014, four Japanese students were dispatched to Collingwood by KIFA. The students experienced a Canadian way of life and interactive programmes with the students in Collingwood.<\/p>\n

The students and staff members of Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) came to Katano from May 20th to 24th 2015. They belong to the department of music of CCI and organise a jazz band that shows\u00a0high-grade\u00a0music performances. In Katano, they\u00a0visited Hoshida elementary school and experienced various Japanese cultural activities such as calligraphy and tea ceremony. At the final night,\u00a0a music concert was held at Katano Yu Yu Centre and attracted\u00a0many audiences. The photos of the concert are uploaded on the CCI’s\u00a0facebook page.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ccimusicdept?ref=profile<\/a><\/p>\n

\"KIFA's

KIFA’s head office is in Katano Kaikan near the Keihan Kozu Station.<\/p><\/div>\n

Katano International Friendship Association (KIFA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

14-25 Matsuduka Katano City Osaka, Japan<\/p>\n

Katano Civic Hall\u00a0ground floor<\/p>\n

Phone: 81-(0)72-894-1113<\/p>\n

Fax: 81-(0)72-894-1119<\/p>\n

E-Mail:\u00a0\u00a0katano_ifa@yahoo.co.jp<\/p>\n

URL: Katano International Friendship Association<\/a><\/p>\n

The Katano & Collingwood friendship visit 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n