American Dialogue featuring the TOMODACHI Initiative
On May 17, 2013, the US Embassy hosted the 11th American Dialogue, which featured the TOMODACHI Initiative. Mayo Hotta, who oversees SoftBank’s corporate social responsibility department and Keiko Ihara, a Japanese Formula race car driver, both who are heavily involved with TOMODACHI, engaged with 60 high school and college students at the American Dialogue. These two successful women presented ways that young people can empower themselves as leaders by gaining experience studying abroad and by networking with other youth.
Subsequently, a TOMODACHI program alumna took the stage to share her experiences at the Clinton Global Initiative University as a representative of the TOMODACHI generation, and led the participants in a case study to create an effective alumni engagement program for TOMODACHI participants. The dialogue, which was held entirely in English, provided great English language practice and inspired youth to consider studying abroad or participate in a youth exchange.
- For more pictures from the event, click here