On December 2, the final conference of the DRESS UP & STAY HOME project was held at the Techmania Science Center, bringing together representatives of the Pilsen Region and students who took part in a two-week study trip to Japan this summer. The event also featured an address by the Ambassador of Japan, who highlighted the excellent cooperation with the Pilsen Region and the mutual benefits of student exchanges for both countries. The program offered panel discussions, shared experiences, and inspiration for applying newly gained insights back home in the region.
The conference opened with a ceremony attended by members of the Regional Council of the Pilsen Region and distinguished guests from Japan. In his speech, the Ambassador emphasized his deep appreciation for the partnership with the Pilsen Region. According to him, the exchange of experience among young people is essential not only for the development of education but also for strengthening ties in business, innovation, and culture. He added that the stay of Czech students was equally valuable for their Japanese counterparts, as comparing everyday life and approaches to studying provides an excellent foundation for future cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of the Pilsen Region, Deputy Governor for Education and Sport Vladimír Kroc underscored the importance of young people gaining experience abroad and bringing it back home: “We want young people from the Pilsen Region to explore the world, gather inspiration, and then use it to contribute to the development of our region. Their ideas and energy are the driving force behind future change,” he said.
Regional Councilor for Culture, Landmark Preservation and Tourism Libor Picka also offered words of recognition. He recalled the performance of the Pilsen Philharmonic at the EXPO 2025 world exhibition in Osaka: “A hall for three thousand people filled up very quickly for their concert, which the Pilsen Region helped to support. It was a powerful demonstration that culture from our region has global potential,” he added.
A unique part of the program was an online greeting from Ondřej Soška, the Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025. He thanked the Pilsen Region for its exceptional presentation at the Czech House, where the region supported the Pilsen Philharmonic concert and, together with several companies, represented the Czech Republic. He also praised the Czech students he met in Osaka, highlighting their high level of knowledge and language skills.
Students Shared Their First-Hand Experience from Japan
The conference was attended primarily by students who participated in the two-week summer program in Japan. In thematic blocks focused on transport, education, and healthcare, they compared what impressed them in Japanese schools, how local systems operate, what surprised them in everyday transport, and which technologies they saw during their visit to EXPO 2025.
Their personal insights were among the most valuable moments of the entire event, offering a concrete view of how the younger generation perceives the world differently and what new ideas they can bring back to the region.