We want to change society. For those who don't know where to start - Recruitment for the 8th term of Mirai Sozo Youth Seminar to shape your 'desires' in 3 months (Free for students)

I want to change society. I want to take action.

But 'I don't know where to start' or 'My activities aren't expanding'—

This year, a 3-month practical seminar for youth with such aspirations will begin again.

The Mirai Sozo Youth Team (secretariat: Mirai Sozo Bu Co., Ltd.) is recruiting students for the 8th term of its "Mirai Sozo Youth Seminar," targeting young generations working on social issues such as climate change and urban development. So far, approximately 200 participants have joined, and many have actively implemented their projects in their communities and schools.

In this seminar, participants will systematically learn practical skills necessary to change society, such as "backcasting," "systems thinking," and "theory of change," through lectures and workshops. After three months, the goal is for participants to solidify their aspirations into concrete actions and take the first step.

Participation fees are free for university students and younger. The seminar will be conducted in a hybrid format, with sessions at the Atami venue and online.

What is the Mirai Sozo Youth Team?

The Mirai Sozo Youth Team implements seminar and workshop programs as a "youth seminar" to equip young generations who are working to change society and address sustainability challenges in Japan and the world, such as environmental problems, poverty, and regional revitalization, with social change skills. In addition, it provides learning opportunities for the next generation, such as outreach classes and experiential programs related to environmental issues, and supports various activities.

https://www.miraisozo-youth.com/

Recommended for:

* High school and university students who are interested in social issues and want to take action.
* Individuals who want to give shape to their own businesses, activities, or projects.
* Those who want a trigger (opportunity) to take the first step towards what they want to do or achieve.
* Those who want to meet new peers outside of school or work and broaden their perspectives.

Four years since its establishment, nearly 200 "young changemakers" have grown.

The Mirai Sozo Youth Team was established in April 2022, and the Youth Seminar started simultaneously. Based on the belief that "the future can be created," it has provided a place for young people from elementary school age to 29 to learn and grow together. Approximately 200 students have participated from the 1st to 7th terms. Graduates are deploying their projects in communities, schools, and society, or applying what they learned in the seminar to new activities and their daily lives.

Scenes from past events.

Three unique values obtainable only from this seminar:

* Thinking methods not taught in school.
* A community where elementary school students and working adults interact.
* The ability to immediately apply learning to "your own activities."

Participants will systematically acquire practical skills required in the 21st century, such as "backcasting," "systems thinking," and "theory of change."

Dialogue with peers of diverse ages and backgrounds brings a broader perspective not available in classrooms or workplaces.

Participants will experience the process of directly connecting what they learn in the seminar to their own activities and actually moving society.

The core of the program: "Five Powers to Create Change"

In the 3-month, total of 5 seminars, participants will gradually build the following skills. This seminar is characterized by experiential learning, connecting with one's own challenges and activities during the seminar, rather than just lectures. Please visit the website for more details.

https://www.miraisozo-youth.com/fiveskills

1. **Envisioning the "Desired Future" with Backcasting**
A thinking method that involves working backward from an ideal future to determine what needs to be done now, rather than merely extending the present. This is a practical vision design technique that ensures dreams and goals don't end as "pie in the sky."

2. **Discerning the "Root" of Problems with Systems Thinking**
The ability to grasp the connections and overall structure of events, rather than just reacting to immediate phenomena. By deeply understanding "why things are the way they are," fundamental solutions become apparent.

3. **Designing a Chain of Change: "Theory of Change"**
A globally utilized method for designing desired changes by dividing them into short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. This is a "map-making" process for steadily progressing from small projects to society-wide change.

4. **Communication Skills to Convey Your Ideas**
To move people's hearts, which cannot be swayed by enthusiasm alone, the art of "how to convey" is indispensable. This practically hones communication skills for various situations, such as active listening, dialogue, and presentations.

5. **Overcoming Differences and Creating Consensus**
Learning the process of consensus-building that fosters collaboration rather than conflict within communities, organizations, and societies where people with different stances and values gather. Participants will also grasp the fundamental difference between "agreement" and "consensus."

Application Outline

Target: Individuals aged 29 or younger at the start of the month (no lower age limit).

Participation Fee: Free for university students and younger / Working adults will be charged an administrative fee of 5,500 yen (tax included).

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