FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, completed the Student City 2013 program, an experience-based economic education program for elementary school fifth grade students. FedEx had set up a booth at the facility.
Student City is jointly conducted by Junior Achievement Japan, an economic education organization to nurture young people’s ability to be self-reliant, and the Shinagawa Ward Board of Education for fifth graders. This year, 38 schools around Shinagawa Ward took part and 10 schools from Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture were also invited to participate. In total, 2,646 children took part in the program.
“I’m delighted to see so many children participating in Student City again this year” said Masamichi Ujiie, regional vice president, North Pacific, FedEx Express. “It’s an important opportunity for these children, who will support the Japanese economy in future, to get an understanding about the economic system and the meaning of work. At the same time, each FedEx employee volunteer should be proud of their contribution to the success of the program.”
Each of the participating companies displays a booth that realistically recreates its store, to allow the children to experience the role of the company (management, sales, accounts, etc.) and the role of the consumer (keeping track of expenditures, taxes, etc.). The aim is to make the students more self-reliant and ready to contribute to society.
FedEx has been part of Student City since 2011, with a booth based on its existing World Service Center, where children can send postcards to other Student Cities in the United States (known as Biztown). Through tasks such as calculating the cost of delivery, students learn about logistics and international business.