“A Neighbourhood with Open Doors to the World” is Hyogo prefecture’s motto, and the Foreign Schools Association (FSA) was founded in 1997, soon after the Great Hanshin earthquake, to promote internationalism and unity.
The group is very focused upon developing international education opportunities for its students. It has developed partnerships with Kobe City and Hyogo Prefecture and receives direct support from the prefecture. FSA encourages interaction between schools, and promotes cultural and sporting events in order to broaden its students’ education.
Current member schools include the German European School, St. Michael’s, Ashiya, the Kobe Chinese Schools, the Korean Group of Schools, and Marist Brothers.
This year the association celebrates its 15th anniversary with a large arts event attended by many dignitaries from Japan as well as other countries. — PAUL GRISEWOOD
