The presentations were led by the 16 university students and young professionals participating in the program. On February 16, 2018, the final presentations of the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2017 took place at Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. In the upcoming Phase Three, program participants will develop and implement a change project in Japan until the end of January 2018. Prior to the training in Seattle, the participants completed Phase One, which included such preparatory activities as online meetings and a reflection inventory assignment in Japan. This program consists of three phases in total. Tripįrom August 8 – 25, 2017, 18 university students and young professionals traveled to Seattle, Washington, for a three-week intensive leadership training as part of Phase Two of the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership program 2017. Read More> TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2017 Summer Program U.S. Seven volunteer Microsoft Advisors also joined as panelists and answered questions earlier collected from the participants. The panel discussion began with the Founder and CEO of the NPO ETIC., Haruo Miyagi, emphasizing that the program is a miracle made possible by all of the stakeholders. Participants spent a day, presenting their leanings through the program, as well as the projects they implemented. On November 17, 2018, the final report session of the TOMODADHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2018 took place at the NPO ETIC. Now, the scholars are back in Japan for Phase 3 of the program, in which individual project implementation occurs in Japan with the support of Microsoft Advisors and a new partner organization, ETIC. Phase 2 was a 4-week intensive leadership training in Seattle. Phase 1 took place in Japan with preparatory activities including an online meeting. This program consists of three (3) phases. Tripįrom August 1 to 25, 2018, 24 university students and young professionals traveled to Seattle, Washington, for a 4-week intensive leadership training as part of Phase Two of the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2018. TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2018 U.S. The program is run during the July – November period and also involves activities back in Japan. The scholars take classes in leadership and entrepreneurship, work with technology advisers to grow their ideas, and conduct site visits to social businesses and organizations. Program participants are selected from a highly competitive, nationwide pool of applicants, to participate in experiential leadership training in Seattle, Washington, and activities in Japan. The TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of Japanese social entrepreneurs and community leaders (ages 18-25) who are prepared to make a positive difference in Japan, the United States, and around the world.