Global Exchange Program, Japan 2002

Through an invitation and funding from the Center for Global partnership, The Japan Foundation and The Society for the Arts in Healthcare, CAHRE recently participated in a reciprocal global exchange program. In April of 2002, six Japanese leaders in the area of Caring for Caregivers and The Arts in Healthcare traveled to America to attend the 2002 Society for the Arts in Healthcare International Conference, co-sponsored by CAHRE at UF. During the conference, CAHRE co-presented a simultaneously translated pre-conference day focused on Caring for Caregivers. The Japanese team then traveled to sites throughout the eastern United Sates, including Duke University, New York City and Washington DC, to learn about other Caring for Caregiver programs in the US.

In November of 2002, CAHRE faculty traveled to Japan to present the Days of Renewal program and the CAHRE educational model in 9 cities. Presentations were made at 5 regional conferences and at a 3-day national conference in Tokyo. Site visits were held throughout the country, including meetings with hospital administrators, physicians and nurses to share knowledge and experience in caregiver issues.

International Exchange Program

CAHRE will continue this international initiative by offering exchange opportunities to students, educators, artists and professionals in the fields of the arts in healthcare and caregiver support. Travel opportunities between the United States and Japan will be the first priority, and programs to England and Australia will be developed secondarily. The International Exchange Program is a joint initiative coordinated by CAHRE in conjunction with the University of Washington Medical Center, VSA Arts Washington DC, Georgetown University and Tanpopo No Ye in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Following the proposed program starting date of January 2004, applications for 1-5 month fellowship residencies will be available. Application criteria will be published in September of 2003 at www.arts.ufl.edu/cahre.