Exploring Social Innovation (ESI) Program Overview

Advancing Social Entrepreneurship Through Cross-cultural Exchange

Visit social enterprises and start-ups around Silicon Valley and San Francisco Discover diverse and unique social sector opportunities in the U.S. and Japan Learn from leaders and innovators in the U.S. and Asia	Unleash creativity through design-thinking Facilitate participants in developing innovative approaches to address global and local issues Create effective solutions by understanding real user needs	Gain cross-cultural communication and leadership skills Exchange ideas and experiences with university students from Japan Establish a network of young leaders and create positive social impact

VIA's Exploring Social Innovation is a two-week program which brings together students from Japanese universities as well as from Stanford and UC Berkeley to focus on social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Stanford and UC Berkeley students organize workshops and visits to social enterprises in the Bay Area and hone their leadership, presentation and cross-cultural communication skills. They also work alongside peers from Japan to develop student-initiated social entrepreneurship plans and prototypes using the design thinking framework. After the program, Stanford and Berkeley students travel to Japan visit social innovators and to join the post-program reunion event to reconnect with program participants.

The next program will be held from March 17 - 29, 2013.