2026 | Namur–Ogaki school exchange: immersion in Japan for students from the Institut de la Providence de Champion

A delegation from the Institut de la Providence de Champion travelled to Ogaki from 4 to 15 May 2026 as part of the student exchange programme between Namur and Ogaki. The year 2026 also marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Japan, giving this edition particular significance.

Ahead of the visit, the City of Namur’s International Relations Office presented the Namur students with the Namur Ambassador’s Guide to help them prepare for their stay.

The visit forms part of the long-standing school exchange programme between Namur and Ogaki, which began in 1998. In 2025, as part of the 10th international student exchange, the Institut de la Providence de Champion welcomed students from Ogaki to Namur.

The delegation, comprising 15 participants (13 students and two teachers), took part in an immersive programme in Japan combining cultural visits, educational activities, and meetings with local young people and institutions.

The programme also included a homestay with host families in Ogaki, providing the students with first-hand experience of everyday life in Japan.

During their stay, the students participated in cultural and educational activities at two schools in Ogaki, creating meaningful opportunities for exchange with Japanese pupils.

The programme concluded with meetings involving local authorities and representatives of the Ogaki International Exchange Association, further strengthening the ties between the young participants and the organisations involved in the exchange.