[Kurosawa seminar] 5 Seminars Jointly Reported Their Annual Study Tour Together (12 October 2013)

 On 12 October 2013, there was seminar presentation in which 5 (Mori, Suzuki, Okada, Kurosawa, Goto) seminars reported their study tours. Firstly, Mori seminar presented about policy of America regarding Asia rebalance.
 Secondly, Suzuki seminar presented about relationship between Japan and Vietnam.
 Thirdly, Okada seminar presented about Hong Kong.
 Fourthly, Kurosawa seminar presented about Cambodia.
 Finally, Goto seminar presented about Indonesia and Myanmar.
 After their presentations, four professors commented about presentation of five seminars.
Goto professor: It is dangerous to believe 100% of what staff of JICA and other institutions explained, because they said only good things.
Okada professor: it is important to meet local people.
Suzuki professor: it is important to make a plan by students.
Kurosawa professor; it is important to think about oneself objectively and to think about various issues from global perspectives. (Yoon Junho)

2013-10-13
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[Kurosawa seminar] Visiting ADB office in Tokyo (Mr. Tomomi Tamaki) (22 August 2013)

 On 22 August 2013, Kurosawa seminar visited ADB (Asian Development Bank) office in Tokyo, which was located in Kasumigaseki building.
 Mr. Tomomi Tamaki, Representative of Tokyo Office, explained us about outline of ADB.
 The main salient points are as follows:
– ADB was founded by 1966, headquarter was located in Manila, Philippines.
– The member countriesof ADB are 57.
– Main purpose is to help developing countries in Asia.
– Main investment countries are Japan and America.
– The number of professional staff from Japan in ADB is 149, while the number of total professional staff is 1076.
– The share of Japanese staff is about 15.3%.
– There are two types of financing in ADB; one is OCR (Ordinary Capital Resources), the other is ADF (Asian Development Fund).

 Comparatively developed country in Asia such as India can receive OCR. OCR is concessional loan, so country which accepts OCR should repay back.
 On the other hand, a poverty-stricken country such as Bangladesh can receive ADF. ADF has a low interest rate, but country which accepts ADF has responsibility of explaining how they use money for their country. ADF is usually used for project such as education, social security. More a poverty-stricken country receive grant. Also some countries receive both OCR and ADF.
– The share of Japanese and American contribution to OCR is same percentage, but Japanese contribution to ADF is much higher than America.
– ADB has long-term strategy for 2020.
 There are three development agendas for Asia and the Pacific;
1. Inclusive Economic Growth
2. Environmentally Sustainable Growth
3. Regional Integration.
5 core areas of operations:
 (1) Infrastructure
 (2) Environment
 (3) Regional cooperation and Integration
 (4) Finance Sector development
 (5) Education
(Yoon Junho)

2013-08-23
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[Myanmar] IOM Yangon office Mr. Greg Irving (23rd Aug 2012)

On 23rd Aug, Myanmar study tour group and Professor Hasegawa visited IOM Yangon office and benefitted from a briefing given by Mr. Greg Irving. He explained the history of IOM involvement in Myanmar and their activities relating to migration health, emergency/recovery responses and migrant protection especially for trafficked persons.
According to him, IOM was assisting government to manage migration and also working closely with UNHCR and WHO. Nowadays a growing number of people migrate to Thailand legally or illegally. If adequately managed and the health of migrants protected, migration is not a problem, but rather a solution to the problem, if adequately managed and the health of migrants protected. In addition, Mr. Greg Irving said that migrants are travelling healthy. Migrants have very diverse groups. IOM needs to identify and address the specific vulnerabilities of each migrant. (Jieun Park)

2012-09-11
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[Myanmar] UNHCR Myanmar office Ms. Rosalie Fournier (23rd Aug 2012)

On 23rd August, the Myanmar study tour group and Professor Hasegawa visited UNHCR Myanmar office. After the introducing UNHCR, Ms Rosalie Fournier, Associate Protection Offficer, pointed out the definitions of “a refugee,” “an internally displaced person” and “a stateless person”. Then, she explained UNHCR activities in Myanmar. In Myanmar there are 11 UNHCR offices and its partners are not only government but also other UN agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations. Their activities are divided 3 areas; Rakhine State, South East area and Kachine State. Especially in South East area and Kachine State where many landmines exist, UNHCR conducts land mine risk education and traning. Moreover UNHCR responds to emergency situations, for example Cyclone and severe flooding. (Mai Nakasendo)

2012-09-11
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[Myanmar] JICA Planning Assistance in Agriculture and Education (21st Aug 2012)

On 21 August 2012, Professor Hasegawa, 2 graduate students, and 9 undergraduate students received a briefing at JICA Myanmar Office in Yangon. Messrs Sato and Danjyo kindly briefed us about JICA’s plan to provide assistance in education and agriculture, and to minority ethnic groups in Myanmar. Mr. Sato explained the status of technical assistance, grant aid and loans provided by Japan. He also mentioned that Japan would receive trainees in the fields of sports, health, farming, and IT. Mr. Danjyo told us about the need to change child education system. It is important for Myanmar to have an ownership towards the child-centered education. It is difficult and important to change the mentality of children in education. Finally, Mr. Sato mentioned the technical and financial assistance provided for removing landmines in ethnic minority states such as Kachin State. (Eri Iijima)

2012-09-08
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[India/Bangladesh] Meeting with Md. Abdur and Md. Samiul (6th Sep 2012)

On 6th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group met with Md. Abdur Rahim, assistant professor, and Md. Samiul Islam, lecturer of Asia Pacific University.
Firstly, Md. Adbur talked about a department of law. In Bangladesh, the President is a leader and the deputy commissioner is a leader of state. Supreme court is in Dhaka. There are two types of law: one is a civil law and another is a criminal law.
Secondly, Md. Samiul mentioned human rights. In Bangladesh, there are public human rights lawyers and they plead poor people. In addition, Bangladesh promotes justice for women. Finally, we had a question-and-answer period and then some of students asked questions to Md. Adbur and Md. Samiul. (Yuko Honda)

2012-09-06
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by UNFPA (6th Sep 2012)

 On 6th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited JPMO (Joint Programme Monitoring Office) of UNFPA in Dhaka. The presentation of UNFPA was delivered by two officers; Ms. Marianne Berner, the International Programme Manager, and Md, Shahidul Haque Khan, the Communication Officer. First, Ms, Marianne Berner gave a lecture to the students about the activities and outcomes of GOB joint programme to address Violence Against Women (VAW). Second, Md, Shahidul Haque Khan explained the 16 days of activism against gender violence campaign which will be held from 25th November to 10th December 2012. Finally, after the presentation, the study group members had lunch with some officers of UNFPA and had a pleasant time. (Aimi Ezawa)

2012-09-06
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by BRAC University (5th Sep 2012)

 On 5th September, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited BRAC University in Bangladesh. First, the University staffs took the students to the library and explained about it. The library owns a collection of more than 35,000 volumes, and students can search various books by the Internet which they want to read. Then the Hasegawa study tour group had a meeting with 4 students of BRAC University. We had a wonderful conversation and shared the information of each other. It was a short time, but we formed a strong friendship. (Yui Narikawa)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by BRAC (5th Sep 2012)

On 5th September 2012, the India and Bangladeshstudy tour group visited BRAC Dhaka Office in Bangladesh and Md Fariduzzaman Rana,Sr. Manager Visitors Communications, gave us a lecture. First, he talked about the history of BRAC. Bangladesh became independent in 1971. BRAC was established in 1972. Second, he explained Microfinance programme of BRAC to us. The Microfinance Programme started in 1974 and it raised the capacity of women empowerment. Third, he told us that education programme started in 1985 and BRAC has focused on human resources development and the children who had dropped out of school. Finally he answered the questions we asked. (Moe Kurisu)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by JICA Dhaka Office (5th September 2012)

 On 5th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study group visited JICA Dhaka office in Bangladesh and Mr. Imai, the vice-chief in JICA Dhaka office, gave us a presentation following four points. At the beginning of the presentation, he briefly gave us the information of Bangladesh such as population, religion and so on. Secondly, he mentioned the situation of economy of Bangladesh. He said the Bangladeshi government aim to enter the middle class countries until 2021. Then he explained the situation of investment from Japan and also the attractive points of it. Finally, he introduced the results and principle of Japan’s ODA and also JICA’s projects such as infrastructure in India. (Aimi Ezawa)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] UNICEF briefing (4th Sep 2012)

On 4th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited UNICEF Dhaka office in Bangladesh. First, Ms. Iftikhar Ahmed ChowDhury, Communication Officer, gave us a lecture on the outline of UNICEF’s activities in Bangladesh and she explained main issues which are concerned with education, water sanitation, child protection, life skill training and health. Second, Ms.Shamima Siddky, Education Specialist at Education Section, delivered a presentation focused on Non-Formal Education. She mainly mentioned a structure of education in Bangladesh and consciousness of people for education and child labor. Especially, she emphasized the educational difference between urban and rural area. At the end of her presentation, We watched a short film focused on children’s voice.
After the briefing, we visited MAWTS. MAWTS is working with UNICEF and there, children between the ages of 13 and 17 are learning repairing mobiles, tailoring, motorcycle repairs and roof tiling. Many on them are coming from slum areas in Dhaka. We inspected the class rooms, talked and took pictures with students. It was very impressive that they have high motivations for acquiring skills through going to the schools. It was a wonderful day that we could interact with children in Bangladesh.
(Yuuka Hirakawa)

2012-09-04
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[Myanmar] Briefing by UNDP Myanmar (23 Aug 2012)

On August 24, 2012, our Myanmar team received an informative briefing from the officers at UNDP office in Yangon.
UNDP has been working in Myanmar since 1994 and providing assistance directly to people without going through the government. Their programme will now consist of projects in three areas. The first is the integrated community development programme (ICDP), with focus on the social rehabilitation, micro-finance, community development and HIV/AIDs. Especially, the social rehabilitation and micro-finance projects are significant for their cooperation with UNDCL. The second programme addresses grwoing environmental problems in Myanmar. Regarding the climate change. UNDP is trying to build a link with communities from the great damage of the huge cyclone in 2008 brought and is providing technical assistance to them because there is no proper assessment made in Myanmar. Secondary, UNDP is addressing the energy problem considering the environmental and development implications. Also they aim to develop an environmental assessment methodology. Lastly, UNDP is supporting capacity building for democratic governance with respect to the government of Myanmar. Thanks to the comprehensive and informative lecture, we learned that UNDP is playing an important role in helping Myanmar in its rehabilitation and development. (Yuka Narikawa)

2012-09-04
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by UNDP (3rd September 2012)

 On 3rd September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited UNDP Dhaka office in Bangladesh and had an informative presentation on governance by Ms. Rae Ann Peart, Programme Analyst, and Mr. Siamul Huq Rabbany, Programme Officer. At the beginning of the presentation, they explained current affairs and challenges in Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh has made significant progress on human development indications and towards the achievement of MDG targets, profound issues still remain in the democratic governance field like the construction of democracy. Then, they informed three governance programmes and their achievements: political governance, public administration and justice and human rights. (Yui Narikawa)

2012-09-03
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by World Bank (3rd Sep 2012)

On 3rd September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited World Bank Dhaka office in Bangladesh and Mr. Yoichiro Ikeda, Operations Officer Country Management Unit, gave us a presentation about the results, challenges and activities of World Bank in Bangladesh. First, he asked us whether Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world or not and talked about Bangladesh after independence from Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Second, he mentioned the challenges such as fundamental infrastructure, environmental pollution, increase in population in urban areas and so on. Especially, he emphasized the lack of governmental capacity. Finally, he referred to activities of World Bank which are aimed at sustainable growth. (Yuna Kitamura)

2012-09-03
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[India/Bangladesh] World Bank New Delhi Office (31th Aug 2012)

On 31th August 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited World Bank New Delhi Office in India. The presentation was delivered by three specialist, they gave us a lecture about World Bank’ activities in India. Firstly, Ms. Preeti Kudesia talked about overview of the World Bank’s strategy in India and She emphasized that World Bank especially focuses on poverty reduction. Secondly, Ms. Deepa Sankar mentioned at education program. In addition, she showed us a short film to convey the diversity of education in India. Finally, Ms. Ashi Kathuria lectured about nutrition issue in India and South Asia, and then she gave us details of the key role of gender. (Yuki Shozui)

2012-08-31
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by ILO office in India (31 Aug 2012)

On 31st August 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited International Labour Organization (ILO) office in India. First, Mr. Anandan P. Menon who is programme officer briefly explained activities conducted by ILO in India. Especially, he mentioned that child labour was the most serious problem in India. Next, Mr. Sher Verick who is senior employment specialist lectured the challenge of creating more decent work in a fast growing economy in India. Mainly, he gave a full detail of problems of poverty and stagnant of employment with help of some visual graphs. Last, Ms. Neetu Lamba who is programme officer focused on child labour and education. She said there were five important points of child labour. Among them, she emphasized on ILO conventions and importance of education for children in India. (Minshik KIM)

2012-08-31
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[Myanmar] OISCA Yangon Office (24th Aug 2012)

On 24th August 2012, four Hasegawa seminar students visited OISCA in Yangon City, Myanmar. OISCA has started its activity in Yesagyo District to start up agricultural development project in a central-dry zone in response to call from UNDP. Japanese technical experts have been sent since March 1996 after the conclusion of contact with Ministry of the national plan economic development. Ms. Yuko Saito explained about OISCA’s four activities: training human resource, environment conservation, supporting development of agriculture and developing community at agricultural training center with showing the students pictures of the activities. (Sayaka Yatabe)

2012-08-29
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[India/Bangladesh] UNDP’s Multiple Approaches for Human Development in India (Ms. Mona Mishra) (29th Aug 2012)

 On 29th August 2012, the India and Bangladesh study-tour group visited the UNDP in New Delhi. The 6 officials in the UNDP India: Ms. Mona Mishra, the Executive Officer; Ms. Meenaz Munshi, the Research Associate; Ms. Ritu Mathur, the Programme Analyst; Ms. Preeti Soni, the Advisor; Mr. G Padmanabhan, the Emergency Analyst; and Ms. Nandita Surendran, the Communications Analyst in the UNDP India, welcomed the group and delivered insightful lectures on the comprehensive information of the UNDP India with some movies. They talked about the Human Development and the 5 focus areas which the UNDP India tackles: “poverty reduction”, “democratic governance”, “energy and environment”, “disaster risk reduction” and “HIV and development”. Then, Ms. Nandita Surendran introduced the 4 outcome areas in the India Country Programme Document (CPD) towards the future, from 2013 to 2017. In these areas, she insisted on the importance of inclusive growth in terms of redressing the gaps and the balance in India.
(Shogo Yoshida)

All seminar students really appreciate to UNDP India for introducing this briefing and the seminar students in their facebook page.

2012-08-29
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by JICA (29th August 2012)

On 29th August, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited JICA in India, and had an informative lecture by Mr. Ejima, who is the head of the Indian office. At the beginning of the lecture, he informed that Japan has invested the most money for India to support development. Then, he introduced JICA’s programmes in India minutely. JICA has some field projects on such as infrastructure, environment and education. Finally he noted that Japan has invested much money and supported the area which India needs only because Japan believes the government of India has ability to manage it effectively. After his presentation, he responded some questions by the students.(Yui Narikawa)

2012-08-29
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