Hello and welcome to my blog!
My name is Haruto Okabe, and I am currently a first-year Master in Public Policy (MPP) student at Harvard Kennedy School. Before embarking on this academic journey, I spent three years in management consulting, advising both enterprises and nonprofits on a variety of strategic and operational issues.
This blog will chronicle my experiences during my summer internship at the Agastya International Foundation in India. Agastya is an organization dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, regardless of gender or socio-economic background. Since its inception in April 1999, Agastya has been transforming education in India through innovative mobile hands-on science education programs. These initiatives have reached over 20 million children and 300,000 teachers across 22 states, significantly impacting the educational landscape. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Agastya launched blended learning initiatives to bridge the gap between online and physical education, ensuring continued access to learning opportunities.
Agastya International Foundation | Reimagining Education
My role at Agastya is centered around addressing the gender gap in education. I am tasked with developing an impact assessment framework to evaluate the effectiveness of Agastya’s programs in reducing this gap. This involves analyzing gender-based impact assessments, including a comprehensive study launched in 2023 that sampled 39,906 boys and 43,935 girls. The goal is to create a framework that highlights the importance of equitable access to education and demonstrates Agastya’s commitment to reducing gender disparities. This framework will help Agastya present compelling evidence to stakeholders and government entities, reinforcing its mission to provide every child with the opportunity to realize their full potential.
This internship is a significant learning opportunity for me, not only in terms of addressing gender gaps through education but also in understanding India's rich philanthropic culture. India is known for its strong tradition of giving, which contrasts sharply with the philanthropic landscape in Japan. After completing my studies at HKS, I aim to establish a system in Japan where the wealth of the affluent can support nonprofit organizations in addressing societal issues. Understanding the cultural factors that drive philanthropy in India, beyond religious influences, is crucial for this endeavor.
Having never visited or worked in India before, I am excited about the opportunity to immerse myself in its culture and learn from one of Asia’s leading charitable nations. I also hope to share insights and educational practices from Japan, where equitable education is a key focus, with those involved in India's education sector. Thanks to the generous support of the Cultural Bridge program at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Center for International Development’s Global Internship Program.
I invite you to join me on this journey as I explore the intersections of education, gender equity, and philanthropy in India. Through this blog, I will share my experiences, insights, and reflections on the work being done at Agastya and how it shapes my understanding of creating impactful change in the world.