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Program Participants Coordinators are college graduates with a minimum of five years of professional experience or its equivalent. Selected coordinators have strong knowledge of Japanese culture and society, good command of English, as well as proficient computer and driving skills. These coordinators serve in the host organizations for a maximum of two years. Host Organizations may participate in this program for two consecutive years. Eligible groups are 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations that conduct outreach programming on Japan in the southeastern region of the United States. Selected hosting organizations receive the benefit of having a native Japanese join the organization at minimal cost to the organization. Each program year, the coordinators will bring to each hosting organization a resource stipend of $1,000 and travel stipend of $500. Host Families not only become "home away from home" families for the JOI coordinators, but also they provide valuable companionship and share what it means to be part of an American family and culture. In turn, it is hoped that host families take the opportunity to learn about Japan and Japanese culture. The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) was founded within the Japan Foundation in 1991 with the aim of building closer relations between Japan and the United States and contributing to a better world through the cooperative efforts of the two countries. Through its offices in Tokyo and New York, CGP provides support for Intellectual Exchange Programs and Regional and Grassroots Programs. The Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) program is sponsored by CGP for the purpose of promoting and expanding exchange and understanding between the citizens of these two countries at the grassroots level. The Laurasian Institution (TLI) was founded in 1990 with one of its goals to create educational programs and coalitions that develop individual competency in dealing with and among diverse cultures. It is hoped that through administration of the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) program, this goal advances from ideal to reality through the participation of native Japanese professionals interacting with hundreds of American citizens. JOI is a program that is jointly administered by CGP and TLI. Each will consult with the other in the design and implementation of the JOI program. CGP and TLI are involved in the recruiting and selection process for both coordinators and supervisors as well as the ongoing evaluation and quality improvements for the program. TLI assumes the operation and management of the program in the United States such as designing and implementing training in Japan and in the U.S.; site visits; and troubleshooting problems with the participants. |
