Global Pluralism Youth Initiative (GPYI)

GPYI Program Image
US Mission Japan Embassy Seal

The Global Pluralism Youth Initiative (GPYI) was a 7-week online program, formed in partnership with Western Washington University (WWU) partially funded by the U.S. Embassy Japan. Launched in September 2021, GPYI invited 19 high school students from 15 different prefectures in Japan (Gifu, Aichi, Osaka, Aichi, Tokyo, Nagano, Toyama, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Hokkaido, Nara, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Chiba, Hiroshima).

Three Main Pillars:

Global Pluralism Course

A core, online course provided by iLEAP that grounds students in the foundations of global pluralism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

English for Transformational Leadership Course

A customized English language training course provided by Western Washington University.

Admission Seminars

Lectures on how and why to study and learn abroad in the United States provided by Western Washington University.

Program Goals

For this GYPI program, two specific goals were set up:

  • Goal 1: Understand how leadership with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging lens looks in cross-cultural and global contexts.
  • Goal 2: Acquire the knowledge and skills that 21st century leaders need to operate professionally in equitable and inclusive ways across cultures.

Outcomes

68%

of the participants successfully received a certificate of completion from Western Washington University.

98%

of the participants said they have deepened their understanding in people with different backgrounds and identities.

88%

of the participants said they increased their knowledge in diversity and inclusion.

90%

of the participants said they increased their English communication skills to speak about diversity and inclusion.

89%

of the participants said they increased their knowledge about studying in the U.S.

91%

of the participants said they started to think that studying in the U.S. is one of the options for their future.

I was able to learn new information and new ways of thinking that I cannot gain from my school in a global environment as if I am abroad.

–M.T. 16 years old

I hadn’t learned about leadership prior to this program, so I had no idea how I could utilize my leadership to contribute to society. Through this program, I learned there are many types of leaders in the world and many ways to be active to create a better society. I feel more confident now that I have more ideas.

–M.K. 17 years old

Through listening to other participants’ stories who have personal experience with diversity and inclusion in their daily lives in Japan and the U.S., I found they made connections between their own identity and issues of race and diversity. It was something I hadn’t thought about until this program.

–T. K. 17 years old

Public high schools like ours are not able to offer this kind of opportunity to study diversity and inclusion, so we appreciate this program. I already see the challenge of being in this program is helping our students grow and gain confidence.

–K.M. Public high school teacher

Course Details

Program Schedule

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In partnership with:

Western Washington University
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