FAQ: International Training Course 2026 Application & Participation
Applicant Qualifications
A. An adequate level of English and a willingness to communicate in various ways—including non-verbal communication such as drawing and body language—is required to participate in group discussions on complex social issues.
A. Yes. This training course deals with various social issues that affect people’s lives.
A. Yes. If your NGO is committed to community organizing and capacity building to ensure the sustainability of its activities, it is eligible to apply for this course.
A. Because this year’s course targets field-level staff members who are directly involved in the development of CBOs and POs, rather than management-level personnel. Additionally, former participants have suggested providing opportunities for young generations to participate in this course, as they have greater potential for leadership development and a long-term commitment to change.
A. Yes. If you send us a draft of the application form at least one week before the submission deadline, we would be happy to support you by providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.
A. For the purposes of ILDC, NGOs, CBOs, and POs are understood as follows:
■NGOs are organizations that pursue their missions primarily through
project-based approaches, funded by international and domestic donors,
government agencies, and private-sector sources (e.g., corporate social
responsibility initiatives). Their project implementation and
organizational management are carried out by paid staff members. In many
cases, their project sites are spread across a wide range of geographic
areas.
■CBOs and POs may start with support from NGOs, human rights activists,
local governments, traditional community systems, or volunteer
initiatives. Over time, their activities are mainly sustained by the
voluntary involvement of members and a shared sense of ownership,
collective decision-making, responsibility, and solidarity, rather than
ongoing support from external organizations. Their activities and
day-to-day management are supported by local resources, such as local
government subsidies, community donations, membership fees, and income
generated from organizational activities, including program fees and the
sale of products.
– CBOs are formed by people living in the same geographic community who
work together to address local issues.
– POs are formed by individuals who share common concerns related to
human rights or social issues, regardless of geographic location.
Reasonable Accommodation
A. Accessibility is limited, but we will make reasonable arrangements based on participants’ needs and available resources. The building has an elevator and accessible bathrooms. Additional support—such as facility adjustments, human assistance, or the use of assistive devices—can be arranged as needed, depending on feasibility.
A. Yes. Participants with hearing impairments have joined the course in the past, using speech-to-text devices.
Financial Responsibility
A. No. We expect applicant NGOs to plan strategically and allocate a budget for staff development.
Preparation for the Training Course
A. Participants are required to attend all four online preparation meetings. During these meetings, participants will be assigned tasks such as preparing their own Activity Summary and reading those submitted by other participants. The coordinators will also inform participants about the case studies they are expected to present during the sessions and assist them in gathering the necessary materials and information before arriving in Japan.
A. The purpose of the online preparation meetings is to build relationships among participants and coordinators. Participants will receive an orientation on the living and learning environment at AHI and discuss the attitudes and mindsets needed.
During the Course
During the course period, participants are expected to engage in group work and manage daily responsibilities even outside scheduled sessions. Therefore, it is generally difficult to allocate time for work related to their home organization.
As a qualification requirement, the applicant organization is expected to create an environment that allows nominees to concentrate fully on learning during the course period by minimizing their work commitments as much as possible.
