The inaugural week-long convening of the Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab marked the commencement of a transformative journey for the 2024 cohort of rising leaders. Rooted in the ethos of community-centered and action-oriented leadership, the Lab, a collaborative initiative by the East-West Center and the Japan Foundation, brought together 16 diverse leaders and a program team from academia, civil society, non-profit, business, and government. The central theme for this year's program is the pressing challenge of the climate crisis, aligning with the Lab's mission to tackle complex and interconnected social issues through inclusion, collaboration, and real-world engagement.
Hosted in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, the first convening set the tone for a year-long exploration of leadership for climate adaptation. Program fellows engaged in rigorous discussions with state and county officials, community leaders, climate scientists, and academic experts. Fellows critically examined responses to the climate crisis at state and community levels. The immersive experience offered insights into the challenges and risks faced by communities in Hawai‘i, laying the groundwork for the leaders to identify critical leadership gaps and propose innovative responses. The commitment to listening, questioning, and learning from real-world experiences became evident as leaders began to formulate strategies for testing climate leadership strategies in their home communities.
Governor Josh Green delivers opening keynote 
Hawaiian oli and hula 
IPLL Fellows talk story 
Roundtable discussion with panelists
As the Lab progresses, leaders will continue their exploration of leadership for climate adaptation during subsequent in-person seminars in Suva, Fiji, and Tokyo, Japan. The goal is not only to enhance their individual leadership capacities but to collectively contribute to the development of inclusive, community-led climate change adaptation. By the conclusion of the program, the 2024 Lab cohort aims to be better equipped to support communities in articulating their adaptation goals and fostering transformative climate change action. The first convening served as a powerful launchpad for this journey, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a shared commitment to addressing one of the most critical challenges of our time.
Opening reception 
Facilitated workshop with EWC Researchers 
Coastal management site visit in Waikiki 
Community visit on the North Shore of Oahu
See more from the 2024 IPLL in Hawai‘i
The inaugural week-long convening of the Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab marked the commencement of a transformative journey for the 2024 cohort of rising leaders. Rooted in the ethos of community-centered and action-oriented leadership, the Lab, a collaborative initiative by the East-West Center and the Japan Foundation, brought together 16 diverse leaders and a program team from academia, civil society, non-profit, business, and government. The central theme for this year's program is the pressing challenge of the climate crisis, aligning with the Lab's mission to tackle complex and interconnected social issues through inclusion, collaboration, and real-world engagement.
Hosted in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, the first convening set the tone for a year-long exploration of leadership for climate adaptation. Program fellows engaged in rigorous discussions with state and county officials, community leaders, climate scientists, and academic experts. Fellows critically examined responses to the climate crisis at state and community levels. The immersive experience offered insights into the challenges and risks faced by communities in Hawai‘i, laying the groundwork for the leaders to identify critical leadership gaps and propose innovative responses. The commitment to listening, questioning, and learning from real-world experiences became evident as leaders began to formulate strategies for testing climate leadership strategies in their home communities.
Governor Josh Green delivers opening keynote Hawaiian oli and hula IPLL Fellows talk story Roundtable discussion with panelists
As the Lab progresses, leaders will continue their exploration of leadership for climate adaptation during subsequent in-person seminars in Suva, Fiji, and Tokyo, Japan. The goal is not only to enhance their individual leadership capacities but to collectively contribute to the development of inclusive, community-led climate change adaptation. By the conclusion of the program, the 2024 Lab cohort aims to be better equipped to support communities in articulating their adaptation goals and fostering transformative climate change action. The first convening served as a powerful launchpad for this journey, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a shared commitment to addressing one of the most critical challenges of our time.
Opening reception Facilitated workshop with EWC Researchers Coastal management site visit in Waikiki Community visit on the North Shore of Oahu
See more from the 2024 IPLL in Hawai‘i