TOMODACHI-ICP Collegiate Civic Engagement Program - An exchange of civic engagement ideas and experiences shared between American and Japanese Universities

Washington, DC - Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) with generous support from the TOMODACHI Initiative, is proud to announce the launch of an innovative new exchange program between American and Japanese universities. The TOMODACHI-ICP Collegiate Civic Engagement Program is designed to develop partnerships between university students and staff in multiple regions of Japan and the United States. The long-term goals are to help cultivate the next generation of civic leaders and social entrepreneurs in Japan while simultaneously establishing structures for sustained bilateral exchange. The program offers the opportunity for students to have transformational experiences and also focuses on knowledge sharing and institutional change.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Enhance Japanese university students’ leadership potential by facilitating exchanges with experts from US universities in the fields of civic engagement and social entrepreneurship
• Enable university management and faculty to develop institutional practices that can further Japanese universities’ commitment to civic engagement and social entrepreneurship through exchanges with American peers

The highlights are three important exchanges. (1) In January 2014, Susan Stroud, ICP Executive Director, and Roger Nozaki, ICP Board Member and Brown University Associate Dean, traveled to Japan in order to learn about Japanese efforts to promote civic engagement and social entrepreneurship on university campuses. (2) In February 2014, Japanese university professors and student leaders from Okinawa International University, Tohoku University, and University of Tokyo will travel to the US in order to attend the Ashoka U Exchange hosted at Brown University. The Japanese delegation will also conduct campus visits in order to examine various models of civic engagement and social entrepreneurship at participating US universities. (3) In early Summer 2014, Japanese students and university staff who participated in the 1^st component of the project will work with subject matter experts in the field of civic engagement to host and design a civic engagement and social entrepreneurship workshop, for students in the various regions.

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Innovations in Civic Participation facilitates the generation of opportunities for young people to change their communities for the better and build essential skills for future success through civic engagement. Based in Washington DC, ICP works with individuals, organizations, and groups around the globe to support the development of innovative approaches to two civic participation strategies: national youth service and service learning.
 
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership led by the United States Government and the U.S.-Japan Council born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The initiative is focused on investments in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as entrepreneurship and leadership programs.