COVID-19 and the JA Network

March 16, 2020

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to over 100 countries, putting extraordinary pressure on healthcare resources. Our hearts go out to everyone who is ill, who has lost loved ones, and whose businesses, schools, and lives are disrupted.

JA Worldwide is committed to the safety of our students, volunteers, partners, and supporters. For a number of weeks, we’ve been working with the JA network to monitor the status of the virus and its effect on JA member countries, starting with JA China, and then extending into JA South Korea, JA Italy, and around the world.

Our network, already actively connected under the banner of “OneJA,” has responded to the crisis with agility and innovation, primarily in an effort to help our students continue to learn as they find themselves out of school for weeks or months. Together, we are taking the following steps:

Remote Work for Staff

The JA network is no stranger to working effectively from remote locations. Indeed, less than half of the JA Worldwide headquarters staff is based in the Boston office, and that model is reflected around much of the world. As our JA locations turn to remote work for staff, JA’s global communications systems already in place will serve us well.

Changes to Travel and Events

Nearly all JA locations have instituted a moratorium on travel. At JA Worldwide, all travel is suspended until we have more data about the spread of the virus.

JA events continue to be postponed, starting with the JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year competition, originally scheduled in March, and hundreds of other regional and local events that have been cancelled following the guidance of public health officials.

Opportunities to Keep Learning

Resilience is built into the DNA of JA students, staff, and volunteers, so in spite of cancellations, postponements, and closings, we at JA are continuing our operations. Where schools are closed, JA staff members are working with partners to develop and expand digital learning experiences and virtual volunteer sessions so that we can continue to serve students. Additional innovations that are responsive to the realities on the ground will continue to spring from new and existing partner relationships. To capture emerging examples of programs and initiatives for JA students to continue their education at home, visit jaworldwide.org/keeplearning.

We’ll continue to be in touch as new information emerges.