Empowering a new generation of
sustainable changemakers with ASIJ
Empowering a new generation of sustainable changemakers with ASIJ
Problem
The American School in Japan were looking to define their sustainability vision and goals, focusing on long term horizons to teach and empower their students around intergenerational challenges.
The American School in Japan were looking to define their sustainability vision and goals, focusing on long term horizons to teach and empower their students around intergenerational challenges.
The school had already started to bring sustainability into their curriculum, creating content around SDGs and small impact initiatives.
An ambitious campus development program was also underway, with the aim of reaffirming their position as a leading international school in Tokyo, although this came with new environmental considerations.
However these were just a starting point, and their performance around sustainability wasn’t measured or understood, and the school community had yet to be activated at scale.
The school had already started to bring sustainability into their curriculum, creating content around SDGs and small impact initiatives.
An ambitious campus development program was also underway, with the aim of reaffirming their position as a leading international school in Tokyo, although this came with new environmental considerations.
However these were just a starting point, and their performance around sustainability wasn’t measured or understood, and the school community had yet to be activated at scale.
Approach
We worked with ASIJ to build a robust foundation for their sustainability journey, forming a collaborative team with both students and faculty to co-design the vision.
We worked with ASIJ to build a robust foundation for their sustainability journey, forming a collaborative team with both students and faculty to co-design the vision.
Together we conducted an impact assessment of the organisation, with an approach that gathered data while building advocacy within the school community.
A series of co-design workshops elevated the voices of a diverse group of stakeholders, including: leaders, staff, alumni, trustees, parents, and students from Grades 4-12. Giving these students the chance to work with professional consultants was a unique part of the program, making learning part of the experience.
We also conducted a Scope 1 and 2 carbon audit, setting benchmarks for ongoing measurement.
Through these activities we accelerated the progress the school had already made, synthesising the outcomes to identify a new vision and set of recommendations, approaches, and initiatives.
Together we conducted an impact assessment of the organisation, with an approach that gathered data while building advocacy within the school community.
A series of co-design workshops elevated the voices of a diverse group of stakeholders, including: leaders, staff, alumni, trustees, parents, and students from Grades 4-12. Giving these students the chance to work with professional consultants was a unique part of the program, making learning part of the experience.
We also conducted a Scope 1 and 2 carbon audit, setting benchmarks for ongoing measurement.
Through these activities we accelerated the progress the school had already made, synthesising the outcomes to identify a new vision and set of recommendations, approaches, and initiatives.
Report: "Seeding Sustainable Futures – Sustainability at ASIJ"
Outcomes
The program empowered ASIJ and their students to become a new generation of changemakers, delivered as a unique learning experience for their school community.
The program empowered ASIJ and their students to become a new generation of changemakers, delivered as a unique learning experience for their school community.
At ASIJ learning is defined as a ‘personal, lifelong process that leads to change’. We helped make this a process for everyone, while delivering on their objectives of a concrete vision and long term goals.
Building on this, broader outcomes for the organisation included:
At ASIJ learning is defined as a ‘personal, lifelong process that leads to change’. We helped make this a process for everyone, while delivering on their objectives of a concrete vision and long term goals.
Building on this, broader outcomes for the organisation included:
12
12
Students becoming school advocates after participating in the process
Students becoming school advocates after participating in
the process
160
160
Staff provided with tools to deepen sustainability in their teaching programs
Staff provided with tools to deepen sustainability in their teaching programs
1700
1700
Families brought on the ASIJ sustainability journey
Families brought on the ASIJ sustainability journey
3
3
Student sustainability initiatives prioritised and scheduled for launch in 2024
Student sustainability initiatives prioritised and scheduled for launch in 2024
Related case studies
Nakame Gallery Street J4
2-45-12 Kami-meguro
Meguro-ku
Tokyo 153-0051
Japan
Nakame Gallery Street J4
2-45-12 Kami-meguro
Meguro-ku
Tokyo 153-0051
Japan
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Nakame Gallery Street J4
2-45-12 Kami-meguro
Meguro-ku
Tokyo 153-0051
Japan