(International trade administrator, US Department of Commerce)
Ambassador:
1- the highest-ranking diplomatic representative appointed by one country or government to represent it in another.
2 - a special representative
3 - an official agent with a special mission
Ambassador of Goodwill -What is it and how does one become one? This was a question which entered my mind October 1991.
I learned of Rotary Group Study Exchange (G.S.E.) through my employer, Samuel P. Troy, Director, Greensboro District Office, United States Department of Commerce, and a Greensboro Rotarian. I did not really know much about Rotary, except that it was a service organization where Troy, my employer, attended lunch once a week and ran a project called Rotary Youth Leadership Camp.
In late Fall of 1991, Troy approached me about a G.S.E Program going to Osaka, Japan, Spring 1992. He told me Rotary was a worldwide organization of men and women with the common goal helping others above one's self. He said Rotary District 7690 was looking for a group of young people to travel to Osaka to be "Ambassadors of Goodwill". I indicated my interest and in late October 1991, I completed a lengthy application for this Rotary G.S.E. Program. Oral interviews were held on November 17, 1991. With cold feet and sweaty palms, I interviewed for this prestigious opportunity. In early December 1991, I received an early Christmas present as I, along with four others, was selected to represent Rotary District 7690 in Rotary District 2660, Osaka, Japan.
As a Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, I counsel clients on the benefits of exporting abroad and over the past decades, Japan has become a key player in international trade. Unfortunately, the United States imports much more from Japan than we export to Japan. Daily, I encourage U.S. businesses to learn more about the Japanese market and treat Japan as a true trade opportunity. However, I have promoted this role for the past four years without ever visiting Japan. I was anxious for the opportunity to learn more about Japan, its economy, and especially its people.
We as Americans most definitely have opinions about Japan. We read books about the war, we read statistics about the automobile industry, and we look and speak a little differently. I for one wanted to learn more about these intriguing people and looked forward to this opportunity.
In March of 1992, the six of us (team leader Ed Brown and 5 team members) left Greensboro, North Carolina, via Atlanta, Georgia, for Osaka, Japan. We arrived in Osaka on a rainy Friday evening, March 20, 1992. After the 20+ hour plane ride, all the six of us could think of was a long night's sleep. But when we cleared customs and opened the door to the main Osaka terminal, we were welcomed with a greeting suited for royalty. There were posters, flowers, lights, cameras and plenty of action. We thought all of Osaka had turned out to welcome us. Rotary District 2660 made us feel like a new life had just begun. After a brief welcoming party at the airport, we were transported to the Hotel Hanshin, our home away from home for the next five weeks.
On Saturday, March 21, 1992, we started five of the most memorable weeks one could ever imagine. A lovely, formal welcoming reception was held by Governor Sugo and District 2660 in our honor.
A well thought out schedule was prepared for the six of us by Rotary. It included history, education, industry, recreation, and religion. Overall, we were exposed to a well balanced program clearly demonstrating the different lifestyle in Japan.
With the exception of Sundays, each day's itinerary began at approximately 8 a.m. and ended as late as 6 p.m. With dinner and other evening activities with the host families, many days turned into 16 hour "learning seminars".
Above and beyond detailed daily schedules that we followed, what I loved most about the G.S.E. Program were the five weekly homestays. The five families who shared their homes with me are some of the finest people I have ever met. Not only did they open up their homes, but also their hearts as well, and accepted me as part of the family. We laughed, we cried, we shared, we learned, we loved, There was no "team" and "us", we were real people sharing real life.
Even though each and every day was special in its own way, some of the more memorable days included:
- Wednesday, April 8, 1992, Visit to Osaka University of Economics and Law -- Here we had an informal exchange of ideas with some of Japan's leaders of tomorrow. We discussed trade between our two countries, we discussed crime (and lack thereof in Japan), we discussed the future of our two countries and what we could do to make it better. I imagined this as a "mini-summit" and I think both sides involved benefitted in one way or another.
- Monday, April 13, 1992, Visit to Kansai Electric Company/Takahama Nuclear Power Plant --This may sound bizarre, but I truly enjoyed the excursion to the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant and the intriguing discussions which followed. My knowledge of nuclear power plants, prior to the G.S.E. Program, was minimal and with ignorance sometimes comes fear. As a child, I remember Three Mile Island and all the adverse criticism it received. The world will one day run short of natural resources, and we will have to utilize other fuels to keep our economies going. Japan may be on the right track in its utilization of nuclear power.
- Wednesday, April 1 and Tuesday April 7, 1992, Sight-seeing Tours of Kyoto and Nara -- Along with Japan's highly industrialized, robust economy, there is an ancient, peaceful history of the beautiful country of Japan. The history of the United States covers a mere 200 years. But Japan has a history which approaches 2000 long and glorious years. Ancient capitals of Japan include the tranquil cities of Kyoto and Nara. Within them is much history of how current day Japan has evolved. The beautiful temples and shrines reflect solid expressions of the evolution of the Japanese people. I was honored to see these sacred Japanese sites.
Almost as quickly as it started, the program ended on Thursday, April 23. I never imagined how hard it would be to say good-by, how difficult it would to leave these hundreds of new found friends behind and how emotional it would be to walk away from five adopted families. Each person was different, but each one was very special in my heart and I, hopefully, in theirs. In fact, I came away with new fathers, new mothers, new sisters, new brothers, new nieces and new nephews.
Was this the trip of goodwill? I think yes. We learned a lot about each other, Japan and I. We learned that even though we look, speak, and sometimes act differently, deep down inside we are all the same. We want to live and we want our children to live in the best possible world we can. We want peace and happiness among all nations.
I have many people to thank for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I would like to especially thank Sam Troy for nominating me and the Greensboro Rotary Club for sponsoring me. Also, I would like to thank the selection committee of Rotary District 7690 for choosing me to participate, Everette Padgett, District 7690 Governor, for approving the selection, and the U.S. Department of Commerce for approving my leave of absence, Governor Sugo, District 2660, for accepting me, Edward Brown, Team leader, for his leadership and guidance, and last but not least to all the beautiful people of Rotary District 2660 (Osaka) for making this G.S.E. program the success that it was. What does Rotary now mean to me? It truly means service above self. Each day, Rotarians around the world reach out to others. They help, they guide, and they share with others so that others will benefit from the experience. I learned about Rotary and I learned about myself. One person can make a difference in the world in which we live. I am ready to accept the challenge.
