Unconventional Training, Development
& Learning
Learning that moves people from understanding to action.
We design hands-on learning experiences for schools, universities, international groups and emerging changemakers.
Drawing on what we have learned from building social innovations ourselves, we combine real-world stories, practical frameworks, discussion and hands-on problem solving to help people understand complex challenges, connect them to their own lives and work, and decide what they can do next.
Who we work with
Schools & Universities
Interactive learning that helps students explore social innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and how change happens in the real world.
International Groups in Japan
Immersive programs for universities, business schools and visiting groups looking to understand sustainability and social innovation in Japan.
Changemakers & Emerging Leaders
Longer-form programs supporting people as they understand problems, develop ideas, test assumptions and take practical next steps.
What participants leave with
Learning grounded in practice
We are not only facilitators. Through initiatives such as mymizu, we have experienced what it takes to turn an idea into something people actually use, build partnerships across sectors, test assumptions, make mistakes and keep adapting. We bring those experiences into the room.
That means our programs can explore not only what should happen, but what it actually takes to make change happen.
Programs designed around the people in the room
We do not work from a fixed curriculum. A session for high school students should feel different from an MBA class. An international group visiting Japan needs something different again.
Depending on the audience and goal, a program might be a 60-minute interactive session, a half-day workshop, a multi-day Japan immersion, or a longer learning journey combining workshops, coaching and real-world experimentation.
Themes can include social innovation, sustainability, circular economy, social entrepreneurship, behaviour change, design thinking, climate action and moving from idea to implementation.
Learning with organisations around the world
Our learning work has included programs and sessions with organisations and institutions including:
United Nations University · Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan · USC Marshall School of Business · Baylor University · Hitotsubashi University · Globis University · Australian National University · Hult Prize · One Young World
Programs can be delivered in English, Japanese or bilingually.
Programs in practice
ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme
SIJ helped design and deliver a leadership program bringing together emerging leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to explore climate change and sustainable development.
Expert input, peer learning, facilitated discussion and design thinking helped participants move from understanding complex challenges to developing practical responses of their own.
READ THE CASE STUDY →HELENA POWERS
A longer-form development program supporting women as they explore and develop ideas with social or environmental impact.
Participants move through research, ideation, testing and business-model development, supported by workshops, coaching and peer learning.
EXPLORE HELENA POWERS →How we design learning
We do not start with a fixed curriculum. We start with three questions.
Let’s build something around your group.
You may already know exactly what you need. Or you may simply know that you want participants to engage with a topic differently.
Tell us who the program is for, what you want them to leave with, and how much time you have. We can help shape the rest.
Let’s build something around your group.
Tell us who the program is for, what you want them to leave with, and how much time you have. We can help shape the rest.
TALK TO US ABOUT A PROGRAM →