TOMODACHI ICP Workshops Spread Enthusiasm for Civic Engagement
In early July 2014, Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) held workshops on civic engagement at three Japanese universities as a part of the TOMODACHI ICP Collegiate Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship Program. Ms. Susan Stroud and Mr. Phil Hayes of ICP visited Tohoku University on July 10, Okinawa International University on July 12, and the University of Tokyo on July 15 and facilitated workshops on civic engagement in Japan. The workshops focused on how Japanese universities could better support faculty and students to become involved in their local communities. Participants also identified methods to advance civic engagement in Japan.
At the first workshop at Tohoku University, the discussion centered on Tohoku University’s reaction to the Great East Japan Earthquake and its continuous efforts for disaster relief. Tohoku University is located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, and was severely affected by the events on March 11, 2011. During the discussion, some drew upon their prior experiences in Tohoku restructuring efforts. An important discussion topic of this workshop was how students and faculty can keep up civic engagement momentum even when an immediate disaster is not at hand. Dr. Toshiya Ueki of Tohoku University and Public Affairs Officer Ted Diehl from the U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo also spoke about the importance of Japanese universities becoming more involved in their local communities.
The second workshop was held at Okinawa International University (OIU) in Ginowan, Okinawa. This workshop focused on Okinawan issues such as the lack of employment on remote islands, homelessness, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) discrimination, and the presence of American military bases. Both OIU students and faculty made passionate presentations on how to address these issues, showcasing their enthusiasm for civic engagement. The OIU students noted that in order to inspire their peers to become involved in their local community, they would need strong support from their university.
The workshop at the University of Tokyo focused on social innovation programs at the University, as well as disaster relief efforts in Tohoku. University of Tokyo faculty spoke about the social innovation programs they are involved in, and touched on the observations they made through those efforts. In addition, several presenters spoke about their projects in Tohoku to help community members come together. One presenter discussed the challenges he faced while trying to set up a college student volunteer group, and communicated the lessons he learned from the process. Laura Winthrop Abbot, Executive Director of the TOMODACHI Initiative, gave remarks at Tokyo University and stressed the strong connection between TOMODACHI programs and civic engagement.
Although each workshop session dealt with different examples of civic engagement, they yielded similar conclusions and challenges. One conclusion was the importance of Japanese universities to actively support their students and faculty in civic engagement. Teachers and students who participated in the workshops felt that with more support from their respective institutions, their enthusiasm can be better maintained and fellow teachers and students who are not currently involved in civic engagement can become involved more easily. Another point raised was whether universities should offer academic credit as an incentive for civic participation. Finally, for future activities, workshop participants thought that citizens can be motivated to participate in longer-term projects, especially those that address social issues in addition to immediate disasters.
TOMODACHI believes the TOMODACHI ICP Collegiate Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship Program will help continue dialogue between active members of the civic engagement community, and also inspire community members to begin getting involved.
