The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) organized a five-day online training program for the executive officers of the Government of Philippines who are in the Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary level positions. The program ran from May 17 to 21, 2021. Nineteen executive officers of the GOP and four staff members from Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) participated in the program.

The program was arranged upon a request from DAP, with the aim of providing opportunities for participants to enhance their understanding on phronetic leadership theories and its best practices in public administrations. The course was designed for the participants to learn three main topics; Phronetic Leadership and Knowledge-based Management in government organization and ODA projects, Climate change policy and Disaster countermeasures.

Lectures and discussion sessions featured: Dr. Ayano Nishihara, Associate Professor, Rikkyo University; Mr. Masaei Matsunaga, Governance & Peacebuilding Dept, JICA; Dr. Kozo Nagami, Deputy Director General, Global Environment Dept, JICA; Dr. Mikio Ishiwatari, Senior Advisor of JICA, Visiting Professor, the University of Tokyo; Mr. Ryuzo Sugimoto, Director, International Cooperation and Sustainable Infrastructure Office, Ministry of Environment; Dr. Hikaru Kobayashi, Visiting Professor, the University of Tokyo, former Vice-Minister of the Environment; Mr. Masakatsu Okamoto, former Vice-Minister of Reconstruction Agency; each discussed the comments and questions raised during their lectures, leading to a rich and insightful dialogue with the participants.

On the last day of the program, in a wrap-up session with Prof. Kiyotaka Yokomichi, Director of the Executive Development Center for Global Leadership, GRIPS, the participants discussed their program takeaways.