Activating Social Activism Program (ASAP)

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Activating Social Activism Program (ASAP) engages Japanese young adults (ages 18-25) through a three-month program focused on global and local issues including women’s economic inclusion; climate change; minority community issues and rights; diversity and equity, and the importance and value of the bilateral US-Japan partnership in youth leading the next generation of social and environmental solutions.

This program is funded by US Embassy Tokyo, and has three pillars where the first and second are virtual and the third is in Japan. The funding covers:

all coursework and guest speakers online and in person,
tuition in Japan, and
part of transportation fees.

Any other expenses are participant’s responsibility such as:

transportation fees between your home and training venue in Japan,
accommodation or travel outside the program period, and
any other personal expenses.

In partnership with

Online &
In-Person

Intermediate

In-Person: 4 hours
Online: 10-11 hours
over 3 months

Primarily in English
with little to no
Japanese assistance

See above

Max 25 people

About the Program

With the support of U.S. Embassy Tokyo, RootSpring is introducing ASAP with three main phases:

Phase 1:

1 month of youth online training in social activism through a diversity and inclusion lens, to understand personal and societal connotations as related to themes.

Phase 2:

1 month of online mentorship in learning U.S.-Japan relations and global contexts and intersectionality of different themes of social activism.

Phase 3:

1 in person gathering to synthesize learning and integrate principles in a personal social activism project.

*Program participants must attend all sessions in every phase

Funding provided by the United States Government

Phase 1: Connecting to Community Course (ONLINE)

Dates: July 13, 20, 27 (2-4pm PST/5-7pm EST/6-8am next day JST)

Hours: 8 hours
Location: Online (Zoom)

During Phase 1, for the duration of one month, we focus on learning about civic participation through online meetings with people working on. We will invite 4 mentors from different social activism areas. Also, it includes interviews, community-based learning activities in their home communities, and ongoing reflective writing. The topics include, but not limited to:

Inclusive societies through human rights paradigms and DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) principles
Self awareness of identification of qualities
Resources needed to be a grassroots activist

Phase 2: Learning Circle Advisors Sessions (ONLINE)

Date: Aug 3, 10, 17 (2-4pm PST/5-7pm EST/6-8am next day JST)

Hours: 1-2 hours
Location: Online (Zoom)

For Phase 2, participants will join online mentorship in learning U.S.-Japan relations and global contexts and intersectionality of different themes of social activism. Mentorship lasts for 1 to 1.5 hours over a one month period. Each group of participants will work closely with a mentor to deepen their understanding about the social issues in a global context and gain vocabulary to speak about the issues as a young activist.

Also participants will increase their knowledge about how LGBTQ and DEIB are integrated into the U.S. support system. Additional offline/asynchronous activities are integrated with a course learning management system.

During Pillar Two, we will support participants following the session with learning circles (smaller groups of up to 5 students and a mentor) to help them define and develop new projects in their local community with ongoing mentorship through that coursework.

Phase 3: Empowerment for Action Session (IN PERSON)

Date: September

Hour: 4 hours
Location: Japan

For Phase 3, all participants will join an in-person gathering in Japan. This is to 1) reflect the learnings from the program, and 2) create a strong support system to sustain their project in their own communities.

Phase 3 helps create a culture of ongoing learning community among participants so it serves as a professional network beyond this program.

This gathering will be led by RootSpring and the RootSpring alumni community.

Course Details

Eligibility

*Due to the nature of the scholarship, this program is only for those aged between 18–25 years old with Japanese citizenship.

ASAP seeks a candidate who

Demonstrated interest in civic participation and social activism.

Demonstrated interest in learning from the U.S. experts and developing mentor-mentee relationships.

English ability: basic conversation expected – although interpretation will be provided as needed.

Preferably, a candidate who

lives and/or studies in areas outside of major urban centers;
those directly connected to and/or advocating for historically-marginalized groups in Japan
is with a demonstrated interest in Japan and/or US-Japan relations.

Application Process

Submit the program application via the button down below
Upon passing the first round, schedule an interview with RootSpring
Interview
Admission decision will be notified via email

Application Deadline: May 20, 2024

Apply Today!

Instructors

Sunny Watts

For over twenty years, Sunny has been an educator with a passion for creating dynamic learning environments for individuals from diverse international backgrounds. When developing curriculum, she focuses on incorporating arts infused disciplines, so as to facilitate active learning where individuals fully participate in their growth and development. She works with RootSpring participants with a level of devotion, playfulness and flexibility in order to best light up their learning experience. | Full bio>

Italy

English, Italian

she/her

Kei Kasukawa Eriksen

Kei brings her two decades of experience in working with international students, young professionals, and leaders for their personal and professional development. Over the years of working at iLEAP and other colleges, she has guided youth and young professionals on their leadership journey, career paths and life transition with her deep listening and inquiry. Kei holds a Master’s degree from the SIT Graduate Institute in International Education specializing in student advising and cross cultural advising. Kei is also a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC).

Tokyo, Japan

English, Japanese

she/her

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Japanese

ASAPプログラム～つながりから社会を変える未来のリーダーたちへ～は日本の18-25歳を対象にした３か月のプログラムです。

ラテンアメリカ、アメリカ、日本…世界中で様々なリーダーのリーダーシップ教育を通してつながりを作り、そしてそのリーダー同士のつながりが社会を変えていく、ということを実感してきた私たちが、様々な社会課題に取り組む日本人の未来のリーダーたちに、同じ志を持った仲間とつながり、そこから社会を変えていくプログラムを始めます。

参加者は女性の社会進出、気候変動、マイノリティーの権利やダイバーシティ等を含むグローバル・地方で起きている問題について学び、次世代の社会問題や環境問題の解決を担うリーダーとして「自分なりのリーダーシップ」を身に付けます。

このプログラムはアメリカ大使館の奨学金事業で、３部構成です。

1-2部はオンライン、3部は日本での対面セッションで、奨学金によってプログラム参加費は免除され、対面プログラム実施時は交通費が最大8,000円支給されます。ただし、(1) プログラム参加のために必要な上記以外の交通費、(2) プログラム日外の宿泊費、(3) 個人的な支出、(4) インターネット通信費、(5) 旅行保険代等は参加者の負担です。