Source: Peatix

Creating social innovations that solve social issues is a major responsibility for us living in the 21st century, and to achieve this, connections and co-creation across sectors such as business, government, and NPOs are essential.

However, on the other hand, disparities, divisions, and exclusion are also expanding on a global scale, and according to a report by the Swedish research institute V-Dem (Diverse Democracy) Institute, the "Liberal Democracy Index" as of 2023 has regressed to the 1985 level. This means that we have returned to the situation of the Cold War era between the United States and the former Soviet Union. (Reference article [Nikkei Shimbun]: Global democracy in decline to the same level as the Cold War era, particularly in South Asia and Eastern Europe)

We believe that we are currently at a major crossroads where we must decide whether this trend will continue to accelerate or whether society will be able to update in new ways.

In these circumstances, I have had more and more opportunities to feel that perhaps the various elements possessed by the "30 Connecting People" could contribute to a major social update.

The results of the "Connecting 30 People"

Strongly inspired by the process of urban reconstruction and development following the Great East Japan Earthquake, "Tsunagaru 30-nin" was launched in Shibuya Ward in 2016 as a public-private co-creation platform between companies, government agencies, and NPOs. Over the past eight years, it has expanded to 15 locations across the country, and since the establishment of the general incorporated association Tsunagaru 30-nin in 2023, stakeholders from all over the country have been deepening their connections across areas.

The distinctive feature of the "Connecting 30" is that each person is not bound by organizational roles or titles, but connects with others as equals, deepening relationships of trust through repeated dialogue in a safe and secure environment, and creating businesses for the city, their own organizations, and above all, for their own enriching lives.

In this way, the "Connecting 30 People" has been based on building "flat, classmate-like relationships within the city that transcend different business types and industries" and creating businesses to improve the city.

[Article summarizing the results so far]
・Note from the General Incorporated Association "Connecting 30 People"
・Forbes JAPAN (Contribution by Representative Director Kayo)
・Stanford Social Innovation Review Japan (contribution by Representative Director Kao and Director Nomura)
・News Picks (contribution by Director Hibiya)

Signs of major change

Meanwhile, there are signs of major change for the "30 Connecting People" in fiscal 2023.

Through collaboration with a political seminar run by a local political party, ideas that actually come up through dialogue between politicians and private citizens are immediately reflected in Tokyo's policies, and for the first time, examples have emerged that are not based on an area, such as "30 People Connecting Golf."

Through these efforts, new expectations are emerging for the "Connecting 30 People," such as promoting political innovation through democratization and diversification of the formation process, and creating innovation on an industry or theme basis.

In order to deepen such knowledge, we have invited a variety of relevant stakeholders to this SPECIAL SESSION.

First, in the first part, we will compare various co-creation communities with "Connecting 30 People."

Yuki Sasaoruf, who is researching the "Connecting 30 People" at the Thunderbird School of Global Management (Phoenix, Arizona, USA), will return home in triumph to report on the results of his research (Japanese title: "How to Create Social Impact through Cross-Sector Collaboration"). Together with Natsumi Nishiyama of Future Sessions Inc., which created the prototype for the "Connecting 30 People," and career counselor Shota Hoshino, they will delve deeper into the possibilities for new uses of the "Connecting 30 People," cross-sector human resource development, and the essence of co-creation projects.

In the second part, we would like to deepen our understanding of the new possibilities that the "30 Connecting People" possess through introducing the case studies of the aforementioned "Political School" and "30 Connecting Golf."

First, through the example of a political seminar hosted by a regional political party, we will look back at the actual process that led to policy formation and its realization, and summarize the significance and possibilities of cross-sector policy formation.

We will also invite Yusuke Hirokane, producer of the "30 People Connecting Golf" event held in 2023, and Yusuke Kinoshita, secretary general, to share the feedback and results from holding the first theme-based "30 People Connecting" event, and explore the possibility of applying this to various themes in the future.

[Please join us if you are one of these people]
- Past organizers and participants of the "Connecting 30" project (30 people involved)
・Those who would like to become part of the "Connecting 30"
・Organizing member of the preparatory member organization for the "Connecting 30 People League"
・Participants of the General Incorporated Association Tsunagaru 30 People
- People who want to plan a "Connecting 30 People" event in their area or on a theme of their choice.
・Those who are interested in keywords such as social innovation and co-creation.

【guest】

Graduate Student at Thunderbird School of Global Management
Representative of Excel House, LLC
General Incorporated Association Connecting 30 People Catalyst
Sasaoruf Yuki

Born in a rural area of Fukuoka Prefecture, he moved to the United States alone after graduating from a prefectural high school.
After graduating from the State University of New York, he worked in accounting auditing at PwC's global headquarters in New York City.
Hoping to try working on the West Coast, he transferred to Deloitte's Portland, Oregon office.
In 2019, while working at Deloitte, he founded Excel House, an apartment building to support international students and immigrants, based on his own experience of homelessness.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, she returned to Japan to join the HR Institute, an organizational development and human resources consulting firm, in order to engage in dialogue about D&I in Japan as well.
In order to make an even bigger impact in 2023, he is currently enrolled as a graduate student at the number one global management school in the United States in search of colleagues.
As part of his academic activities, he is currently writing a research paper co-authored with the originator of the project, Yasuhiko Nomura, about the 30 people he connects.
He is a member of the 6th class of "30 People Connecting Shibuya" and currently helps run the association Connecting 30 People as a catalyst.
Her areas of interest include rural opportunity gaps, immigration and refugees, D&I, social sustainability, camping, and living with dogs.

Future Sessions Inc.
consultant
Natsumi Nishiyama

He has been involved in youth-centered urban development activities since his university days. He currently provides intermediary support to organizations that strive to continuously implement initiatives aimed at resolving local issues across government, local government organizations, NPOs, etc.
Future Sessions supports the co-creation of visions and future plans for companies and local governments, as well as collaborative actions that transcend the boundaries of citizen, government, and business sectors, by creating spaces for creative dialogue.

Career Consultant
Shota Hoshino

He joined a major comprehensive human resources services company and is in charge of recruitment and human resource development for a wide range of companies, from large to small.
He also has experience in launching projects related to earthquake recovery in Fukushima Prefecture.
After that, he promoted regional revitalization projects in collaboration with central government ministries and local governments.
We will lead "human resource development for local companies," "immigration promotion projects," and "tourism businesses" from a people perspective, and work to create diverse working styles in the region, such as promoting side jobs and dual careers.
Currently, with the keyword "supporting people who continue to take on challenges," he is involved in many projects related to human resource development and regional revitalization, such as new business development support and online 1-on-1 counseling. He is a nationally qualified career consultant.

30 People Connecting Golf Producer
Representative Director of SPORTS WAVE Inc.
Yusuke Hirokane

The turning point in his life came when he went to watch a Major League Baseball game in the United States during his third year of high school.
Impressed by the sense of unity in the stadium and the fans' heartfelt enjoyment, he became interested in sports culture and sports business and enrolled in the School of Sport Sciences at Waseda University.
During his time at university, he mainly studied sports marketing and sports management (Kimura Kazuhiko seminar). He also became a regular member of the golf club only once throughout his four years. He mainly played on the grass and at banquets.
After graduating from university, he joined a major cable TV company and worked at a golf-specialized TV station for eight years, where he was involved in broadcasting, events, and marketing.
In order to promote projects that will improve the value of sports culture in Japan, he founded SPORTS WAVE Inc. in April 2016 and currently serves as its representative, working on media planning, event planning, player management, and the operation, production, and overall organization of professional tournaments, mainly focusing on golf.

30 People Connecting Golf, Secretary General
Representative Director of Golf Life Design General Incorporated Association
Yusuke Kinoshita

In 2015, he joined Recruit and worked on new business development as an engineer and marketer.
After that, after transferring the advertising SaaS business to the Hakuhodo Group, he joined Sumiji Golf as COO in 2021 in order to widely spread the appeal of golf, which he loved and started playing indoor golf.
In addition, he established the general incorporated association Golf Life Design as a platform to create new value in golf, and operates "30 People Connecting Golf."

[Moderator]

Director of Tsunagueru General Incorporated Association
Hibiya Takatake

A cross-sector connector with the theme of "Connecting people and information to increase the number of people who can change society." Activities center around PR, marketing, support for new businesses, community building, and promoting public-private partnerships.

Representative of kipples, director of Public Meets Innovation, vice president of the Public Relations Association of Japan, special PR advisor for Shibuya Startup Support, organizer of Rock Bar, etc. Co-author of "Basic knowledge of BtoB marketing taught by professionals on the ground!"

Representative Director of Tsunagueru General Incorporated Association
Kentaro Kao

After graduating from university, he worked in corporate sales at a telecommunications company before going freelance. After the earthquake, he helped create a forum for dialogue between the government and residents in Tohoku, and in 2016, he became director of the cross-sector urban development program "Connecting Shibuya, 30 People," which brings together companies, NPOs, citizens, and the government in Shibuya Ward.

In 2022, he incorporated the 30 Connecting People initiative as a general incorporated association and currently serves as its representative director. In 2023, he founded ADDRIVE Inc. as its representative director.

Venue