The Japan Foundation:
Climate Change and Food Systems – Youth Leading the Way

Funded by the Japan Foundation, the Climate Change and Food Systems – Youth Leading the Way – Program (CCFS) was designed to create a new generation of young leaders (ages 18-30) who (1) understand the relationship between food production and climate change, (2) have the global leadership skills to move and shape positive change, and (3) seek to find solutions in the bilateral relationship between Japanese and Americans.

Inviting in total of 18 emerging leaders, 15 Japanese and 3 Americans, CCFS was in session for three months. The program was broken down into three phases: (1) learning about leadership and sustainability together online for four weekends, (2) immersing ourselves in the philosophy and living of the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, for five consecutive days, and (3) tying together the learning and making action plans together online for two weekends.