October 11, 2009, Fukuoka - Consul for Political and Economic Affairs Mark S. Dieker spoke to forty “Global Wing” participants about “American Youth and Volunteerism,” as part of the group’s preparation for their November trip to San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington. The participants, who were selected by their universities, graduate schools, and employers to participate in this Fukuoka Prefectural government sponsored program, plan to meet with representatives from Starbucks, Boeing, the GAP, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other organizations during their week in the United States.

Mr. Dieker’s talk focused on what many Americans from the “Millennium Generation” (also called “Generation Next”) do, think, and hope to accomplish in life. For example, one survey says that 83% of Americans aged 5 to 24 participate in volunteer activities. One of the Global Wing participants remarked afterwards that “Mr. Dieker’s presentation was very interesting. I learned that there is a difference between the United States and Japan, in that there is a strong link between volunteering and attending religious services in the United States. On the other hand, I also learned that young Americans and Japanese share a common interest in securing stable jobs.”