The headings I will use in my report come directly from the principles of the Youth Development Strategy of Aotearoa, 2002.

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1 Report of FY2017 Community Core Leaders Programme Shannan Wong, New Zealand Aotearoa Tēnā koutou katoa I feel immensely grateful to the Cabinet Office of Japan, CenterYE staff, NPO Management Forum organisers, local Committee Members, interpreters, volunteers and all participants of this programme. From slickly arranged programming, interesting topics, local participants and passionate discussions through to life changing experiences, insights into Japanese culture and lifelong friendships - this programme has both energised and inspired me in the mahi (work) I do in Aotearoa New Zealand. I use the Māori word mahi here, because to me it encompasses the day to day activities of my paid role and all of the volunteer or contracting projects I do in Aotearoa to enable young people to have places to turn to for support and where they can be empowered to thrive. The headings I will use in my report come directly from the principles of the Youth Development Strategy of Aotearoa, Big Picture (Learning outcomes regarding the management of non-profit organisations) I would like to share my appreciation to the many individuals, organisations and staff that participated at the NPO Management Forum. The diversity of participants, perspectives and organisational structures ensured that there were always going to be challenges and I believe that we humans thrive when in challenging yet supportive learning environments. The forum was a wonderful space to explore, extend, empathise and develop, due to the collaboratively built safe space. One of my main learning outcomes from the NPO Management Forum was that through my interactions with participants, the concepts of empathy, charity and passion crossed global and cultural lines allowing for frank, compassionate and substantial conversations. This was a particularly important distinction for me as it affirmed that although it sometimes seems that work in the non-profit community sector feels isolating and exhausting - others around the globe are feeling the same and still persevere. This means to me that the relationships and mutual respect we have formed could be the start of a global peer support network. I was in Topic 3 Fundraising skills for projects and organisational management, where the goal was to identify social needs, current challenges and clarify resources in order to create fundraising ideas and build future action plans. I loved working in my small group as our shared objective of wanting to develop and support our Japanese colleagues meant we crafted an amazing set of fundraising ideas for their mahi. 1

2 My table group at the NPO Management Forum One of the learning outcomes that impacted on me the most was the sheer power of motivation, having the opportunity to hear many incredible stories about how conviction to the cause (kaupapa), is the main factor in continuing a participant s mahi really inspired me. Upon reflection, this resonated with me as it offered a catalytic moment where I was finally given the vocabulary to explain my vocation, my Ikigai (reason for being); which is to support and enable people to feel empowered in their life journey. Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei Pursue that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain. Quality Relationships (Recommendation for Japanese non-profit sector) I observed so many inspirational stories that were born from tragic circumstances (Fukushima disaster) or community requests (granting young people with disabilities access to sports activities). Yet I found it difficult to understand how these many organisations received funding in Japan. The unstable and unclear funding streams and quadrants concerned many of the local participants I talked to. In New Zealand we too have insecure funding or revenue streams, but at least are able to apply to alternative funding sources (such as philanthropists) to make up a shortfall. In regards to this, I would like to suggest the development of a free fundraising idea bank, where local and regional non-profit organisations can access this information in order to receive short to long term stable funding streams. 2

3 Additionally, I would like to suggest that the Public Interest Commission of the Cabinet Office support more Japanese NPOs in accessing quality data like The Japan Association of Charitable Organisations annual Data Book (Charitable and Non-profit Organisations in Japan). This annual Data Book can assist current NPOs with connecting to like-minded organisations in order to collaborate fiscally. More funding data is required for reporting as well, and this could assist the Cabinet Office by calculating the funding streams that NPOs rely on and amend policy to assist them with this. Strengths-based (learning outcome in regards to the respective field of activities: youth) It was wonderful to connect with inspirational and diverse change makers. I was pleased to be able to have the opportunity during the NPO Management Forum to facilitate a New Zealand youth work checking-in activity at the Exchange session: Stones have Feelings too check-in cards The other learnings I received during my local programme were directly connected to each institutional visit. I was inspired that the creators of the Hajime cafe shared their vision of youth development through connectedness and activity. They work alongside outliers of the community and facilitate them to learn more about themselves (and each other), I identified with the theme of confidence building through interaction. Regarding the Koko-juku learning community, I was really impressed by the commitment to young people learning about civil society and their impact on community through projects and activities. 3

4 One of my favourite parts of this was when we heard that the IT team had not really progressed on their project, when the learning community s reaction was of compassion and support, rather than focusing on their performance or deliverables. Katsuragi leaders club offered a great way to connect with young leaders and, although I didn t specifically hear about the development programme, I loved hearing the reflections of the young people involved; I could see their sense of self really flourish when talking about the programme. Lyra Creative Arts School is such a stand out experience for me, the way that school works is the definition of youth participation and co-design. I am so grateful that the students and staff have the opportunity to thrive in that environment. I would only hope that the school could consider welcoming students with different financial backgrounds. Youth Participation (recommendation for the respective field of activity: youth) I saw and heard of many different approaches to the challenges and developing environmental situations the communities of Wakayama prefectural are facing. I also found that we were presented with many perspectives from older people of authority or those holding positions in policy, and although this was informative, I yearned to see and hear from more young people. I would like to suggest that policy makers ask the young people of Wakayama how they want to participate in their prefecture, what role they want to undertake in their community and how they would like to effect change. In my mahi as a youth worker, I look to enable young people to feel connected, empowered and acknowledged. In order to do this I must work alongside young people in every step of their lives, not just around educational, cultural or sports activities. It is integral to see a young person in association with their family, friends, identity (cultural, sexual, spiritual), school environment and their community. I would love for a network of youth advocates to be formed in Wakayama where collaboration alongside young people is the focus and the goal. I would gladly assist in future development of this initiative. Additionally, I would like to request that for future local programmes in the field of youth activity, there be a considerable number of local youth participants invited to attend. At our local seminar in Wakayama, I found it unsettling to see an audience of older people that seemed disengaged during our presentations. May I suggest that youth leaders or the younger committee members have the opportunity to participate in group discussions and that delegation participants facilitate an icebreaker or inquiry activity at these sessions? I believe that this could allow for a more organic and connected conversation and collaborative final presentation. An informed approach (How you will utilise your learning from this program) Currently my organisation is undergoing staffing changes, which has allowed me to voice some of the learnings I have taken from my time in Japan (regarding talent development and sustainability of service). My colleagues have reflected their appreciation of this and have also affirmed that my ability to apply learnings safely and appropriately will be extremely useful. On a more practical level, my fellow delegate member and I will facilitate the co-creation of a youth participation toolkit for New Zealand youth workers to utilise when invited to travel and collaborate with 4

5 our global whānau (family). It is our hope that this toolkit will allow reciprocal learning and initiate the seeds of positive New Zealand youth development to be planted across the world. Connectedness (Conclusion) My primary volunteer role is facilitator of a personal development program and my paid role is to coordinate youth events and communicate to our widespread membership. I am intrinsically linked to supporting and working alongside people from diverse backgrounds. I have been affirmed in the knowledge that when representatives from the community (non-profit) sector are given the opportunity to share our challenges and triumphs, we will do so genuinely. That is because we are working together for a greater purpose - to support and enable people in our communities to thrive. I am undeniably grateful that this programme offered me insights into the depths of human compassion and has left me in awe of the wonderful people committed to making the world a more empathetic place. Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi With your basket and my basket the people will thrive. New Zealand Field of Youth Delegation Clockwise from top left: Shannan Wong, Kelsey Brown, Josh Livingstone, Nathalie Wierdak 5