What is the North Shore Lions Youth Exchange Program?

In 1969 the City of North Vancouver, Canada and Chiba City, Japan entered into a Sister City Pact. As part of that relationship the North Shore Lions Youth Exchange Program began in the spirit of strengthening the bonds of cultural understanding and friendship. While the Program itself has undergone many changes since sending it’s first student groups in the summer of 1970, this exchange is regarded as the most valuable result of the Sister City Pact both here in North Vancouver and across the Pacific Ocean in Chiba.

Who are the North Shore Lions?

In 1917 Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader, suggested to members of his local business club that they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of not only their communities but also the world. Jones’ group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held in June 1917 in Chicago. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the “Association of Lions Clubs”, and a national convention was held in Dallas in October of that same year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved. Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, Lions have earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We’re a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission and a long {proud} history. Today, the 6 North Shore Lions Clubs represent just a small part of the 45,000 Clubs and more than 1.3 million members worldwide {making us the world’s largest service club organization}.