ADVANCED INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN ASIA (AIPA)

For 2003-2004, JUCEE will initiate a new inter-Asia internship program focused on developing links between NGOs throughout Asia and future leaders in Japan’s international development NGO sector. The venue for the pilot program will be Manila, the Philippines, known as one of Asia’s largest and most progressive hubs for NGO activity. The program will provide opportunities for 4-6 motivated young Japanese to spend 4-6 weeks working with development organizations in Manila, where they will acquire hands-on experience on a broad range of issues. Through this exchange, and those that follow, participants and host organizations will be able to share information, expertise, and experiences, leading to the creation of a far-reaching and enduring network of people in Japan and other Asian countries actively working for social change.

B. Introduction

Today, Japan stands as one of the top donors in the world in terms of net ODA disbursement. Of the overall foreign assistance extended to the Philippines, Japan’s ODA occupies the largest portion, accounting for 59% in 1999. In 2000, the amount of Japanese ODA extended to the Philippines was approximately US$ 299.5 million, with the Philippines being the sixth largest recipient. The first- through fifth-largest recipients were also in Asia: Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and India. Against this background, it becomes clear why Japanese involved in international development work need to spend time in the Asian region, and see how development work is actually being carried out on the ground.

The JUCEE program will offer participants a first-hand look at how development NGOs in the Philippines function, the challenges they face and the successes they have achieved. Needless to say, such experience is essential for people involved in the international development sector, in order to ensure that the programs they are implementing are both effective and appropriate to the needs of recipients. Further, Japan’s NGO sector is in a critical period of growth, making it an ideal time to observe how the third sector in other Asian countries has developed, and to provide inspiration for the future.

While in the Philippines, the Japanese interns will act as collaborative guests and learning consultants, while the local host organizations will act as teachers of hands-on development work. Host organizations will be able to benefit from the interns’ skills and support for various projects, gain a unique, international perspective on their work, and develop new ideas and approaches to addressing critical issues. Furthermore, both interns and hosts will be able to use this opportunity to expand their networks and develop valuable linkages for the future.

In contrast to existing programs with similar goals, this program is short-term – only 4-6 weeks – taking account of the fact that for many, the time and money involved make participating in programs of longer duration difficult or even impossible. On the other hand, the program is still substantially long enough to allow participants to go beyond simple exposure. In contrast to conventional one to two-week long study tours, which place emphasis on simply “seeing the place” and “witnessing the reality,” this program allows participants to develop a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground.

LIn addition, unlike other programs that offer opportunities for research in Asian countries, this program focuses on learning practical skills and developing a network of people dedicated to social change within Asia.

JUCEE is at the forefront of NGO training and exchange programs between the United States and Japan, as evidenced by its long-running and successful programs such as the Japan-U.S. Nonprofit Internship Program (IP) and the Nichibei Pathfinding Opportunity Program (NPOP). This experience has taught JUCEE that a vital strategy for increasing the effectiveness and scope of NGO activities in Japan is to help program participants build a broad range of cooperative relationships with NGOs abroad. With these goals in mind, JUCEE seeks to apply its experience in this field to Asia, by expanding its focus to Asian NGOs and the establishment and development of strong linkages with the region, to enable effective collaboration in the future.

C. Goals & Expected Outcomes

JUCEE maintains four main goals for the inter-Asia program :

  • To develop the capacity of nonprofit and non-government organizations ;
  • To promote collaboration, networking, and direct hands-on exchange between NGOs involved in international development ;
  • To enable participants and host organizations to share experiences and information, thereby developing insight into the social issues faced in the field of international development; and
  • To create a common understanding of on-the-ground issues faced by development organizations in Asia.

Project Schedule and Content :

1) Program Overview

2003-2004 Inter-Asia Advanced Internship Program (AIPA)

Program Frequency : 1 program per year (August 2003-July 2004)
Program Length : 4-6 weeks
Participants Per Year : 4-6 people
Recruitment : Fall 2003
Program : Spring 2004
2) Program Participants and Collaborative Partners

Program Interns The Advanced Internship Program is designed for current and past NGO staff and those with volunteer and/or intern experience in international development organizations. All participants will share a commitment to social change and demonstrate a desire to actively contribute to the development of Japan’s emerging NGO sector in the area of international development. This will be a highly personalized program for people who want to substantially enhance the impact of their NGO work in the future through fieldwork experience. Host Organizations Hosts organizations will range from small, grassroots and community-based organizations to large, national organizations, and will include local NGOs in the field of equitable, participatory and sustainable development, with a focus on, but not limited to, healthcare, education programs for girls and other under-represented groups, and training and skills development for economic independence. As this is a pilot program, all hosts will be in the greater Manila area to assure ease in communication between interns, hosts, partner and JUCEE staff. Advisory committee The Advisory Committee will be integral for the AIPA pilot program. The committee will consist of current leaders in the field of international development in both Japan and the Philippines. Members will advise and assist with the recruitment of both interns and hosts, selection of program interns, program workshops and training sessions and in the debriefing session after the pilot has been completed. JUCEE’s Philippine Partner Organization The partner organization’s role will include the recruitment of host organizations, coordination of the Manila orientation events, participation in training workshops, as well as collaboration on the actual program content itself. JUCEE is in the process of establishing relationships with a number of organizations in the greater Manila area, which might serve as local partner for AIPA. The organizations we plan on discussing this program are described in attachment #3.

3) Program Content

a) Partner Search and relationship development (August-September)

In consultation with the program’s Advisory Committee, a search will be conducted for a Manila-based NGO (hereafter the “partner organization”) that will assist JUCEE in the implementation of the program. Given the valuable role that the partner organization will play, much effort and care will be placed in finding an appropriate organization, as well as in holding regular consultations regarding the program itself. AIPA program staff will travel to the Philippines after initiating contact from Tokyo, in order to discuss the program in more detail and develop an agreement for program collaboration with one organization. After this has been completed, JUCEE and the partner will begin preparation of materials for recruitment and develop concrete criteria for participant selection and enhance the details of the program.

b) Intern Recruitment (October)

Because this is a pilot program, applicants will be recruited through process, involving consultations with several organizations in the development field. The program’s Advisory Committee and partner organization will also be utilized and consulted in order to select the best possible interns. Participants will be selected based on criteria such as the clarity of their goals, feasibility and relevance of their plan for utilizing the experience in their future work, experience in the NGO sector and/or involvement in related activities, and language and communication skills. Since this is a pilot program, in this first year we will carefully select 4-6 people with the potential to benefit the most from the program.

c) Host Organization Recruitment (November)

Once each participant’s specific field of interest is determined, the search for Manila-based host NGOs in the relevant issue areas will take place. A representative from the partner organization in Manila will be invited to take part in a workshop in Tokyo, where he/she will meet all the program participants and learn about their interests, which will further ensure that appropriate placements are made. JUCEE will strive to find organizations that can offer a hands-on experience for the participant, as well as those which will benefit from hosting the participant.

d) Participant Placement (December)

Participants and host organizations will be matched based on :

  • – Area of specialization ;
  • – Motivation and organizational capacity of the host organization; and
  • – Potential impact/potential for continued work.

e) Pre-Program Stage (November-February)

Prior to the program, JUCEE provides orientation and training for both participants and host organizations.

Participants from Japan will be provided with informational materials about development work in the Philippines, their host organizations, and life in Manila. Through email listservs, participants will be able to begin networking and sharing information with each other soon after selection. They will also have the opportunity to improve their English communication skills through JUCEE’s English training program.

In November, a workshop will be held in Tokyo to give the participants a chance to meet each other, members of the Advisory Committee, as well as JUCEE staff members and a representative from our Manila-based partner organization. Through the workshop, participants will be able share ideas and begin preliminary work on defining their goals for the internship.

In February, participants will attend a pre-departure orientation and training session in Tokyo. The training program will include lectures, a workshop (to follow-up on the November workshop), group discussions and meetings with leaders in the field (including members of the Advisory Committee), as well as culture and language training. An introduction to Tagalog will also be scheduled. This training session is designed to equip participants with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for them to make the most of their stay in Manila.

For the Filipino host organizations, JUCEE, in collaboration with its partner organization, will provide informational materials and facilitate the step-by-step process of crafting a customized program for each individual program participant. Prior to the participants’ arrival in Manila, host organizations will attend an orientation meeting that will include information about successfully hosting the program participants, and advice on effective cultural communication.

f) Program (March-April)

Following their arrival in Manila, participants will attend an orientation designed to give them the information and skills necessary to maximize their experience. This session will feature language and intercultural communication training, lectures, and discussions. Following this, participants will disperse to their various host organizations. The participants will work four days a week for 4 weeks, and spend two days a week visiting other NGOs, in order to touch base with as many organizations as possible. In total, participants will take part in a total of 24 program days.

D. Evaluation and Follow-up

Through this program, participants will gain new knowledge and skills relating to effective leadership, nonprofit management, and their specific issue area. Participants will also develop a strong network with fellow participants and Asian development organizations and staff. Through these networks, participants will be able to expand their activities both in Japan and abroad.

Because this is a pilot program, the evaluation phase will be crucial in determining how future programs will take course. JUCEE will compile written evaluations from both participants and host organizations at the conclusion of the program.

Evaluation sessions will be held between the participants and JUCEE in the form of “Exit Interviews.” Upon return to Japan a debriefing session with program participants and the Advisory Committee will hold in order to explore ideas on how to further develop the program.

Further, as a mechanism to receive as much feedback as possible from the host organizations, the partner organization will conduct site visits in the month following the end of the program. Also upon return to Japan, interns will submit reports on the projects they worked on as well as what they learned and how they hope to utilize this experience for their future work. JUCEE will publish these reports and hold a seminar focusing on the outcomes of the program.

Each of these steps will create a basis by which to assess the program’s strengths and weaknesses, and make revisions to future programs to better meet participants’ needs and meet program’s main goal of developing NGO leaders.
(The budget will be shown in class, as it is very detailed.)

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