2024 Online Workshop
June 12, 2024 - Online
On June 12, 2024, CJSCN held its annual online workshop via Zoom, with two other co-hosts: the Consulates General of Japan in San Francisco and in Los Angeles.
The workshop’s theme was “Creative Engagement of Next Gen Leaders” and it was attended by approximately 100 people, including sister city organization leaders, business leaders, and other community stakeholders including JET alumni. Overall, approximately 50 California cities and 15 Japanese cities were represented.
Once again, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco acted as the Zoom host and emcee for the event, and we are grateful for all the support they provided, as well as the support given by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
The event began with words of welcome from San Francisco Consul General Yo Osumi, Los Angeles Consul General Kenko Sone, and CJSCN Board President Meg Mizutani. Our VIP speaker was State Senator Lena Gonzalez. She sent us a video message and expressed her support of sister city programs between California and Japan.
After the opening presentations, we went straight into our first breakout session for basic networking. Due to the large number of attendees, there were 17 breakout rooms in total, including three rooms dedicated to Japanese speakers.
The networking breakout session was followed by two presentations. First, CJSCN board member Kathleen Kimura made a presentation about the California sister city community’s engagement with local Japanese language programs and their alumni. Using data collected from the workshop participants at the time they registered for this event, she pointed out that both areas present untapped opportunities for sister city organizations. The presentation file can be viewed from the link under Resources below.
The main presentation of the day featured Mr. Michael Vaughn of Long Beach Yokkaichi Sister City Association. He showcased the variety of unique programs they conduct and their strategy for their successful engagement of next gen leaders. The Q&A session was facilitated by CJSCN board member Mark Kato. The presentation file can be viewed from the link under Resources below.
We then held a 45-minute breakout session where participants were prompted to discuss engagement with their local language programs and their alumni.
While the workshop finished at the end of the second breakout session, the participants were encouraged to stay for additional networking. This time, it was a self-select style session, with 10 rooms with pre-set themes, such as student travel protocol, host family background checks, and youth engagement. One room was dedicated to the Japanese speaking participants. Engaging conversations in each room continued until the very end.
CJSCN would like to once again express our deep gratitude to Consul General Osumi, Consul General Sone, and the fantastic consulate staff from San Francisco and Los Angeles who made this online workshop possible; to our fabulous sponsors who continue to support our mission; and to all of the sister city stakeholders from both California and Japan. We believe that together we will make our network strong, and we look forward to seeing everyone again at the next event!
Resources
Recording of event on Youtube (also embedded below)