Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

e-Learning courses managed by the World Bank Institute

The World Bank Institute launched an “e-Institute” in July 2011 which is designed to support self-motivated learners to get up to speed on the latest development trends, enhance their skill-sets, and share knowledge through on-line learning communities.

The first round of courses offered by the “e-Institute” includes Health, Urban, Governance, Climate Change, Fragile States, and Growth & Competitiveness.  New courses on cross-cutting themes will featured regularly in addition to monthly webinars and other free resources.
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Upcoming e-Learning Courses

For more information and application, please visit each course webpage.

Exploring Topics in Development
Apply by May 21, 2012

Energy Sector Strategies to Support Green Growth
Apply by June 11, 2012

Course Calendar by Month

Please visit e-Institute website.
You can also search by theme or by keywords.

Webinar Series: Emerging Issues in Economics

The ‘Emerging Issues in Economics’ is a free monthly webinar series that discusses cutting edge issues in development. Experts from the World Bank will share the latest approaches on topics such as social entrepreneurship and green growth through online presentations. The goal of the webinar series is to educate and foster discussion around pressing issues in development.

The World Under Pressure: How China & India Are Influencing the Global Economy & Environment
Date: June 05, 2012
Time: 10:00AM (EST) / 11:00PM (JST)

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

TDLC supports global carbon finance dialogue

Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) has been providing logistical support for Carbon Finance Fund Participant Meetings organized by the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit (ENVCF) since June 2007.  A number of funds (the Prototype Carbon Fund, the Community Development Carbon Fund, and the BioCarbon Fund) hold regular meetings with their stakeholders linking to their Japanese stakeholders by videoconference at the TDLC.  In 2012, the BioCarbon Fund and the Community Development Carbon Fund will hold their annual meetings in June in Tokyo at our center, as they did in June 2007.

TDLC serves as a knowledge sharing platform on development, providing the facilities, connectivity, network outreach and expertise to allow our clients and partners to deliver a range of knowledge and learning activities in key strategic areas. In addition to our support for the activities of ENVCF, we offer seminars on environment related themes as well as our flagship Blended Learning Program on Climate Change (Science and Policy of Climate Change).

Carbon Finance at the World Bank

The World Bank is the trustee of 12 carbon funds and facilities capitalized at $2.5 billion, designed to support developing countries in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission reductions and pursue pathways to low carbon growth.

The funds and facilities support some 174 active projects that are expected to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by an estimated 220 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equivalent to the emissions per year of The Netherlands. About 25 governments and government agencies, and 64 private companies from various sectors have made financial contributions to the World Bank carbon funds and facilities.

The World Bank is developing new carbon initiatives that will support the carbon markets post-2012 and will channel funds to projects in sectors which are vital to the world’s poorest. With support from public and private sector resources, projects and programs will be implemented in areas of energy access, energy efficiency, clean cooking, afforestation/reforestation, climate smart agriculture, landscape restoration, waste management, and others.

The priorities of the World Bank’s new carbon finance activities are to scale up carbon finance in low-income countries and poor rural areas, unlock new mitigation potential while saving forests, and to step up mitigation activities and develop new carbon market mechanisms and domestic emissions trading schemes in middle-income developing countries.

It does this through five post-2012 initiatives:

• The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)
• The Carbon Partnership Facility (CPF)
• The Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR)
• The Carbon Initiative for Development (Ci-Dev)
• The BioCarbon Fund Tranche 3 (BioCF T3)

For more information on carbon finance and the specific carbon funds, please see: www.carbonfinance.org

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

A Japan-Korea Cooperation Symposium

A Japan-Korea Cooperation Symposium to promote regional cooperation and foster a stronger collaborative relationship between the two countries was held on January 17th. The symposium began with opening remarks by the Director-Generals of the National and Regional Policy Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and the Policy Planning department of the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM). Experts speakers gave keynote addresses on “Regional Planning and Cooperation” and “Strategies and Challenges on Bi-literal Cooperation for Regional Development”.  A panel discussion followed during which four specific cases from the two countries were presented, followed by active discussion focused on the future direction of Japan-Korea cooperation. Overall, the symposium provided a good opportunity for shared recognition of the need for regional cooperation and to further foster a stronger relationship, which ultimately may be helpful to furthering future Japan-Korea regional promotion.　　

Monday, December 26th, 2011

Integrated Urban Planning: Learning from Tokyo and Yokohama

Tokyo Development Learning Center, the World Bank (TDLC) co-chaired a session at the 23rd Kuala Lumpur Regional Training Centre Program (KLRTC XXIII) on Integrated Urban Planning which was hosted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and organized by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), CITYNET and others, from December 13-15, 2011.

During this session, practical lessons from planning the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama were introduced. Tokyo Metropolitan Government presented ‘Tokyo’s New Earthquake Resistance Measures’ - promoting seismic retrofitting of roadside buildings to help secure emergency transportation roads during times of crisis with case examples. City of Yokohama explained about the unique development challenges and solutions relating to the rapid urbanization and pollution that city has been experiencing.

The session offered an opportunity for experience and knowledge sharing on integrated urban planning by connecting Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo via video conference, involving city government officials from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India, and Nepal and officers from Yokohama and Tokyo.

Integrated Urban Planning covers all aspects of the urban living environment. Participants shared knowledge and information in real-time (via video conference) during a dynamic discussion that contributed to build up the knowledge of the city government officials of each country present.

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Japan’s Crown Prince visits TDLC for International Workshop on Water and History

Over 80 people gathered at The International Workshop on Water and History held at the Tokyo Development Learning Center in the presence of H.R.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan on December 13th, 2011. The two day workshop focused on lessons learnt throughout history in the area of water management and the relationship between sustainable water management and global challenges such as poverty reduction and climate change. Keynote speakers and panelists included experts on water and history from government, academia, CSOs and other stakeholder organizations. The World Bank speakers included Mr. Kazushige Tanigichi, Special Representative, Japan and Dr. Stephen F. Linter, Senior Technical Adviser, Quality Assurance & Compliance who made a presentation titled ‘Water Resources: History and Sustainable Development’.

Organizers

- Government of Japan
- The United Nations Secretary-general’s Advisory Boards on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB)
- United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- The World Bank Tokyo Office
- International Workshop on Water and History Committee

Co-sponsors

- Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
- Japan Water Agency (JWA)

Support

- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Japan Water Forum (JWF)

Venue

- Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), The World Bank

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Secretary-General of ASEAN on the Internet to Discuss the Summits

*This briefing session is finished.
Please visit our Program news page for details.

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With the start of the 19th ASEAN Summit & Related Summits, the Secretary-General of ASEAN has committed to brief the public via videoconference and the worldwide web on the key highlights and outcomes of the Summits which will take place in Bali, Indonesia this week.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan’s engagement with the public will be made possible by the World Bank and the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) in the East Asia and Pacific region. On Monday 21 November, those who are interested in ASEAN affairs and have a good internet connection on their computer may point their browser to http://streaming.jointokyo.org before 10:00 AM Bali time (11:00AM Tokyo time) and join the discussion. Members of the press who are unable to join the Summits in Bali this week are also encouraged to participate in the video discussion.

Dr Surin has set aside three hours to brief the public on the discussions and decisions agreed by the Leaders at the Summits. Members of the public are also encouraged to ask Dr Surin questions, which can be sent to media@asean.org from 10:00 AM Bali time (11:00 AM Tokyo time), with the subject title: “My Question”. He will be conducting the web-stream video discussion from the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre, which is the official venue of the Summits this week.

The briefing will also include some ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue Partners, all of which will engage via video conference from their respective capitals. ASEAN Member States have invited representatives from regional and international organisations, diplomatic community, policy and law makers, civil society, academic, media, and the private sector to the sites in Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok and Ha Noi. Those from Dialogue Partner countries will participate from the sites in Canberra, Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul.

To read about the topics that were raised at the previous briefings, please see the press releases from last year’s pre-Summit briefing from the 17th ASEAN Summit & Related Summits, and this year’s post-AMM/PMC/ARF briefing on ASEAN website.

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Government of Japan/World Bank Joint Research Project: Learning from Mega Disasters

Field Visit, Technical Meetings, and High-level Workshop

The Great East Japan Earthquake has many implications for disaster management, along which there has been an increasing expectation in the world for global knowledge exchange and knowledge sharing (KE/KS) of these lessons. Following the March 11, 2011 disaster in Japan, the Government of Japan and the World Bank have been jointly developing a collaborative framework on disaster risk management. The objective of this collaboration is to capture the lessons learnt from the mega-disasters in Japan to be shared with the rest of the world. The three-day event organized during October 5-7, 2011, comprised of a field visit to the Tohoku region, technical meetings (technical discussions on thematic matters), and a launch high-level workshop.

The technical meeting and the workshop were conducted at TDLC, and TDLC will continue to function as primary platform to deliver KE/KS activities during this project.

You can visit The World Bank Tokyo Office website for further information of the technical meeting and the high-level workshop.

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) Learning Program

A new pilot learning program introducing the Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) was jointly organized by Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), World Bank (WB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The program was developed based on the partnership between the WB and JICA and particularly targeted JICA staff members to help them build their understanding of the fundamentals of country-based programming by sharing Bank’s experiences in CAS.

JICA has intended to strengthen its country-based approach for increased development impact and results. A Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is a customized business plan of the World Bank Group (WBG) at the country level for reviewing and guiding the country-based programs for the next four years and, ultimately, judging the impact of its work. The CAS is built with four main building blocks: country’s development vision, diagnosis of its development challenges, development results to be influenced by the Bank, and an indicative program of Bank lending and non-lending activities.

This pilot learning program consisted of two distance lectures and on-line learning modules; these learning contents were provided by the Operations Policy and Country Services Unit of the Bank. In addition, the task team leader of the CAS Philippines also shared her own challenges and successes in working on CAS.  The program has received a high degree of positive feedback from participants who joined via videoconferencing from Tokyo, Colombo, Manila, and Washington DC.

Monday, August 1st, 2011

TDLC presented at Hills Breakfast in Roppongi hills

TDLC’s Deputy Manager, Lucy King introduced TDLC’s activities at Hills Breakfast on July 28th.  She shared updated information on programs and other opportunities available from TDLC to 150 audiences.

TDLC’s presentation video is available at Hills Breakfast web page.

Hills Breakfast is a monthly event hosted by Roppongi Hills where people and organizations present and exchange innovative and interesting ideas and information. Please visit Hills Breakfast website for more information (Japanese only).

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Partnership Agreement Signed between World Bank and Asian Disaster Reduction Center

On February 16, 2011, Mr. James W. Adams, World Bank’s Vice President, East Asia and the Pacific and Dr. Shigeru Itoh, the chairman of the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation and regional partnerships for disaster risk reduction, and to enhance capacity-building and knowledge-sharing in disaster prevention, mitigation and response across East Asia and the Pacific at Tokyo Development Learning Center, the World Bank (TDLC).

The new cooperative arrangement between the World Bank and ADRC will promote capacity-building and technical assistance in the areas of disaster prevention, mitigation and response by mobilizing technical experts within ADRC member countries and technical assistance projects. Through cooperation with relevant stakeholders across East Asia and the Pacific, the MoU seeks to encourage knowledge exchange and foster activities and projects, for example early warning systems and retrofitting of schools and hospitals, in which Japan is a global leader.

The signing was followed by a high-level workshop attended by government officials and experts working in Japan on disaster risk management, as well as specialists in field offices in the Philippines and Indonesia. The goal of the workshop was indentifying the main needs in the current disaster risk management and climate change adaptation agenda, and concrete ways in which the World Bank and ADRC can jointly deliver expected results.  The World Bank and ADRC will follow up on the needs identified in the workshops, and TDLC will also support this partnership by facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building programs across the region, as well as sharing Japanese experiences in the sector.

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

TDLC’s Response to the Phase 1 Assessment Report

As previously reported, the TDLC undertook an independent assessment of its Phase 1 operations (up to June 2010), consisting of case studies and an assessment of our performance, to reflect on our efforts in the past to achieve our goals, and enable us to make better decisions going forward with Phase 2 of our operations.  The final version of this assessment report is now available on our project documents page.  After examining the Assessment Report that resulted from this effort, we have created a response.

A conceptual description of DLC service (page 14, the Assessment Report)

The response document consists of 9 headings divided into 3 categories; intended to serve as a set of guiding principals for Phase 2 project management of TDLC.  This document, along with all other documents related to the Phase 1 assessment project that have been generated for public release are available on our project document page. For questions or comments, please visit our contact page.

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Eco2 2010 Yokohama Conference: October 21-22, Yokohama, Japan

Eco² 2010 Yokohama, the first international conference on Eco² Cities, will be held on October 21-22, in Yokohama, Japan.  Eco² Cities is the World Bank’s approach to sustainable and integrated urban development and was launched in 2009 as part of the Bank’s new corporate strategy. Eco² 2010 Yokohama is open to public registration and there is no registration fee.

Please visit World Bank website for more information.

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

TDLC Phase 1 Assessment

An assessment of the TDLC Project has been conducted in line with completion of its first phase of operations (Phase 1) up to 30 June 2010. An Executive Summary and Terms of Reference (TOR) are now available.

JICA president Ogata, former World Bank president Wolfensohn, and former Japanese Minister of Finance Tanigaki at TDLC opening ceremony, June 2004

This assessment has been conducted and published as means to ensure the accountability of the project to its stakeholders and examine the groundwork of the second phase of operations (Phase 2). It was carried out intensively from March 2010 by two external experts via desk research, a survey, interviews and review of selected case studies to measure key performance indicators and impact.

All documents relating to this assessment are always available on our project documents page.

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Circular Economy and Development of Western Provinces (China)

Japan’s circular economy policies and regional development strategies as ‘Eco-Towns’ were highlighted as part of a GDLN course for western China , 7-9 April, 2010.

Organized by the World Bank and Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) and supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) the 3-day distance learning course on ‘Circular Economy and Development of Western Provinces’ linked 11 sites in China.  The linked sites were part of the Western China Distance Development Learning Network (CDDLN) and included Development Learning Centers in Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Qinghai, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and 2 county level sites in Sichuan province and 3 in Chongqing.

Various themes of circular economy were covered including basic concepts, legislation and policy, practices in enterprises and industry such as building waste collection and recycling systems and practices in agriculture and building ecological industries. Participants at each site ranged from local government officials responsible for circular economy work, policy researchers and others with an interest in the topic including mangers of industrial parks, enterprise managers and students.

So what is ‘circular economy’?

The term has been the buzz word of late in connection to China as the country has adopted the circular economy approach as a core component of its sustainable development strategy and passed the Circular Economy Promotion Law to support. In the context of the 3-day GDLN program circular economy refers to activities that reduce, reuse and recycle materials (referred to as the 3R approach) in production, distribution and consumption.

Japan’s practice and experience of circular economy was featured as part of the program with simultaneous interpretation from the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) on 8 April. Leading Japanese circular economy expert Dr. Tsuyoshi Fujita (Head of the Environmental Evaluation System Research Section at Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Science) provided an in-depth presentation outlining lessons learnt by Japan for sustainable eco-developments through its practice of establishing Eco-towns. To illustrate Japan’s experience Dr Fujita provided an overview of social environmental infrastructure and management of Kitakyushu Eco-Town as a typical recycle plant orientated costal town located in southern Japan.

Phil Karp, World Bank Institute, Regional Coordinator, East Asia Pacific commented that “The presentation on Japan’s circular economy experience was a vitally important case study that demonstrated to the participants in China that economic development can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner.  On behalf of the World Bank and GDLN I would like to thank Dr Fujita for his excellent presentation and to express our appreciation to JICA for facilitating provision of this important Japanese knowledge and expertise in support of development of China’s western provinces”.



The ‘Circular Economy and Development of Western Provinces’ course also introduced major findings of a World Bank analytical report on circular economy in China, including the progress of these programs and the policy recommendations.

Monday, March 15th, 2010

TDLC’s leading contribution at GDLN Asia Pacific regional meeting in Manila

A regional meeting of the Global Development Learning Network Asia Pacific hosted by Asian Institute of Management (AIM) was held on February 22 to 26 in Manila. Sessions covered global network governance, regional and global technology options, expansion of GDLN product and services, and business models and funding mechanisms.

The meeting opened on February 22 with a welcome address by Regional GDLN Coordinator, East Asia & Pacific, World Bank, Philip Karp and Managing Director, AIM-DevSource, Henry Grageda. The opening was followed by updates by Karp and Steffen Soulejman Janus, Head of the Global Secretariat, GDLN, World Bank Institute on GDLN’s global agenda and the Asia Pacific.

TDLC was represented at the Manila gathering by Manager Ryu Fukui, Deputy Manager Lucy King, Program Coordinator Eiko Wataya, and Technical Operations Officer Iain Mitchell, as well as Web and Media Developer Bob McDonald who participated from Tokyo via video conference connection. TDLC had also extended an invitation to the event to Asia Pacific University, Vice President (Research Affairs), Prof. Malcolm Cooper. The meeting was also attended by representatives of ASEAN as guests of the GDLN AP secretariat.

At the technology session on day one, Mitchell gave an update outlining TDLC’s implementation of a regional MIS (Management Information System) and talked about TDLC’s function as a technology hub briefly providing a first year review, giving updates on TDLC’s progress toward its goal of connecting 80% of the videoconferences happening in the region and highlighting improvements to the service in recent months.  Mitchell also cited challenges, opportunities, and new ideas for future development and solicited feedback from customers of the hub service. 

On the second day of the session, Phil Karp introduced a theme; “Beyond Videoconferencing: Multimedia and the GDLN” at which McDonald, half of the TDLC’s multimedia team with Shunsuke Ishida, contributed on with a presentation on Multimedia at the TDLC stressing the importance of bringing together regional staff as well as the audience; improved efficiency and operational effectiveness; satisfying the audience; and making an effort to expand TDLC and GDLN’s outreach. These objectives were condensed into three key words: integrate, automate, and innovate.

A highly anticipated session on regional programs took place on the third day of the event.  At this session Eiko Wataya and Lucy King gave updates on programs on offer from the TDLC including Microfinance Training of Trainers, Small and Medium Enterprises, Strengthening Disaster Risk Management, Rapid Design of e-Learning Programs and Corporate Social Responsibility programs.

A breakout session was led by King for the new regional course ‘Rapid Design of e-Learning Programs’ course and also by Fukui, in conjunction with Yabashi (who gave a dynamic presentation via VC from Tokyo on nurses education programs) for healthcare related training courses.

An exciting new program that seeks to mitigate risks to cities induced by climate change was also introduced by Wataya called City Risk Profiles: Building Capacity for Climate & Disaster Resilience. Launched in 2008 by the collaboration with Kyoto University and other agencies, this program covers research, education, training and the development of city profiles to indicate existing levels of resilience.

TDLC actively prompted a wide range of discussion on mission critical technology issues through the week-long conference from the integration of technologies such as Management Information Systems (MIS), video conferencing bridging functions, multimedia services to other types of creative content management.

Fukui, in presentation and chairing on technology sessions, proposed that GDLN AP adopts a more integrated approach to link VC bridging functions, MIS, and MM/internet tools. While TDLC technology hub is already contributing to this integration in the region, it was proposed for this function role to be enhanced in coming months and years so that the value proposition of GDLN AP overall may be more efficient and effective with the outcome that the GDLN AP community as a whole provides more beneficial services and products to clients and users.  Participants unanimously agreed that the regional discussion on technology be activated in line with this proposal, and cooperation between regional and global governance is to be tighter and synchronized. Specific outcomes included a mandate for a workgroup to look at MIS technologies to move forward and for the activation of a regional group to focus on operational IT issues to be formed.

TDLC further contributed by conducting the technical hub operations for the week-long conference event ensuring that DLCs that were not able to attend could connect remotely and make active contributions. GDLN AP members were strongly encouraged to get involved in ongoing discussions related to the regional meeting and participate in an online discussion site set up for the purpose.

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Capacity Building for Climate & Disaster Resilience

Information on this program has been moved to the program page.

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Partnering to make a Difference—FASID

In its mission to contribute to development and to play a role in the alleviation of poverty, Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) is committed to the sharing of Japanese knowledge and expertise abroad.

TDLC offers learning program course design, multimedia, and multi-point videoconferencing services as well as functioning as a technical hub. Since its 2004 launch, TDLC has been playing a role as a bridge between Japan and developing countries.

From our ongoing programs, here is an introduction on a key partner since 2005, the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development, or FASID.

What is FASID?

FASID was established in 1990 as a non-profit organization by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (current Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), with support from the then Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (KEIDANREN), to provide education and training for “a new generation of Japanese development professionals”. Since the start of its ODA Task Force Seminar series in 2005, FASID has been utilizing TDLC’s videoconferencing facilities and services. 38 distance seminars have been held to date, connecting with a cumulative total of 335 countries.

About FASID’S ODA Task Force Seminar

To meet needs for agenda preparation which match the various task force objectives, these seminars have covered a wide array of themes. They range from aid harmonization, assistance coordination, emerging donors in international development assistance, donor assistance and support for emerging countries, multi- and bilateral donor coordination and other areas of policy to key themes of development assistance in climate change, human security, governance, gender and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Water, health, industrial development are also covered, as well as development assistance operations such as project formation and new demand survey systems.
 
“The course aims to strengthen and build the capacity of country-based ODA task force members in developing regions through practical, higher-level interactive training,” (from FASID website)

Who’s Connected?

Since its inaugural session in August 2005, FASID’s seminars have brought together experts in Tokyo with a multitude of participants abroad—local embassy attaches, JICA staff, and experts. This past September, discussion focused on cooperation assistance in science and technology. TDLC was linked with 19 sites: JICA’s overseas offices and World Bank country offices facilities in Cambodia, Mongolia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Serbia.

An active, fast-paced exchange of opinion was seen on “science and technology diplomacy”, “international cooperation in science and technology to cope with global-scale issues”, and “dispatch of scientific and technological researchers”.

“Thanks to technical innovation, discussion among participants at scores of venues abroad – previously impossible – has become possible.”

On December 1, ahead of the final session for 2009, TDLC interviewed FASID International Development Research Institute (IDRI) Acting Director Naonobu Minato and IDRI Program Officer Yuki Nakamura in Tokyo.

“When TDLC’s (videoconference) system was first formed, we began our efforts with the idea of a program centered on Japan and JICA’s overseas offices. There were difficulties with connections, visuals without accompanying sound, people talking all at once, and there were also time lags.

Rules were gradually formed, and everyone began getting used to it. Thanks to technical innovation, discussion among participants at scores of venues abroad – previously impossible – has become possible. We started supporting ODA task force members abroad with this system.

Through questions and comments pouring in from the field, we found that real-life situations and issues were beginning to surface. This is peer learning. It’s been a mutual learning experience.”

“Comparing cost and effect with conventional seminars where lecturers were physically sent abroad, it’s a highly efficient system,” Minato added, looking at the significant cut in transportation, lodging and other costs gained through simultaneous multi-site connection.

“It’s Cheaper!”

“It’s much cheaper than private rentals,” remarked FASID IDRI Program Officer Yuki Nakamura.
 
“It’s become possible to discuss questions among participating countries. Questions can be directed to those in other countries facing similar issues. It’s a good practice.”

Considering the scale and effects of sessions held to date, it’s fair to say that the distance learning method has significantly helped the ODA task force seminar to achieve its objectives.

“Those abroad do not need to come all the way to Japan, and it’s still possible to have frequent exchanges of opinion.

There are possibilities to do more in the way of seminars and symposiums,” says Minato, who believes it is possible to further utilize TDLC’s videoconferencing system.

“There are distinct advantages to the World Bank and its vast network in developing regions. It’s not just the technical infrastructure. Their knowledge and experience can help to make a lot of good things possible. I think there’s still a lot of potential.”

related links:

Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID)

Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)

World Bank

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

“IGES Kansai Research Center International Symposium 2009” Held in Kobe, Japan

The TDLC has started to work collaboratively with partners to capture local activities/events and upload them to our website to aid dissemination of experts’ knowledge and experience to Japan, the Asia Pacific region, and beyond. Through this kind of collaborative effort, we expect to provide a wider range of people with access to valuable lectures and other related materials to assist them in their activities.

On November 19 2009, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Kansai Research Center organized “IGES Kansai Research Center International Symposium 2009: For significant reduction of CO2 in household sector-learning from good practices for realizing low-carbon household ”. 

The symposium can be viewed by clicking here.

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

TDLC Manager Discusses “Social Business” on NHK TV

TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui speaks during a videoconference in Tokyo July 16, 2009.  TDLC/KK

TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui recently made a live television appearance as expert commentator on microfinance in the context of ‘social business ’in a news documentary ‘Kyo-no Sekai’ (today’s world) on Japan’s public broadcaster NHK television on June 17, 2009.

The program took a look at Nobel peace prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, and his the concept of ‘social business’. Based on his success in microcredit, ‘social business’, is his innovative approach to establish sustainable socio-economic systems, combining the resources of private firms with social needs in order to to alleviate poverty.

Fukui has previously worked as financial expert for the World Bank’s Africa Region, and has also led technical assistance and research projects in Asia for Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Specializing in microfinance and small- scale finance, Fukui offered his expert views on the evening broadcast on the achievements of microfinance and the implications made to the world by ‘social business.’

“Dr. Yunus has launched a futuristic scope of sustainable, growing social businesses,” said Fukui. He stressed that there was a need for social understanding and a certain type of infrastructure for supporters and investors to realistically support its growth. “Comparisons have to be made possible on the effectiveness of such ‘social businesses.’”

“Private firms can and should start where they can, right now,” Fukui adds to his television commentary. “Finding a new way on how to do business through meeting the needs of poor people—microfinance has done this in a way that no bankers or any business people had previously imagined. Why not also in other types of businesses?”

As of this writing, TDLC is carrying out the sixth delivery of a course for training microfinance trainers.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

“International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP2009)” Held in Hayama, Japan

Tokyo Development Learning Center is furthering its collaborative efforts with its partners in order to capture local activities and events, upload content to our website, and to aid in the dissemination of expert knowledge and experience to Japan, the Asia Pacific region, and beyond. In this way, we hope to make the valuable lectures and materials more readily accessible to a broader range of people, everywhere.

On 26-27 June 2009, in Hayama, Japan, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) organised the first International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP2009).

Under the main theme of “low-carbon development in Asia and the Pacific,” ISAP invited front-line experts and representatives from businesses, international organisations, governments and NGOs in Asia, Europe and the US to have open presentations and discussions. Raising hot issues such as low-carbon economy, biodiversity, green consumption, REDD**, biofuels, co-benefit approach and capacity development, the participants conducted discussions based on IGES’s latest research results to explore the solutions together with the audience.
      —excerpt from ISAP2009, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)) website

** REDD: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries

Click here to view Opening Session streaming online. 

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Announcing the Orphan Meets Artist Blog

A weblog (Japanese Only) has been released in support of activity 1 of Orphan Meets Artist/Artist Meets Orphan program. The TDLC will upload stories in cooperation with Tohoku University of Art and Design and Kyoto University of Art and Design.  The weblog began on Dec. 3, but there are already 3 videos recorded in 3 videoconference sessions in November. We will continue to actively upload stories, pictures, video, and audio so please visit often.

The Orphan Meets Artist/Artist Meets Orphan is a program to offer opportunities for orphans in developing counties to collaborate with artists and create artwork.  Activity in the program started in November following a pre-session on Art and Development in June. Mr. Miyajima Tatsuo renowned in contemporary art is working as a director collaborating with art students to tailor an art workshop for HIV/AIDS orphans in Uganda. The Ugandan orphans are under the care of NGO ASHINAGA UGANDA and NPO MUKWANO

Schedule

Dec. 10            Final selection for a workshop tailored for HIV/AIDS orphans in Uganda @Tohoku University of Art and Design
Dec. 23-24      Pre-workshop and last confirmation @Tohoku University of Art and Design
Jan. 20, 2009        Workshop in Uganda (Miyajima Tatsuo will conduct)
Jan. 22, 2009        Small exhibition in Uganda
Feb.-Mar., 2009      Report sessions and exhibitions @(Planned sites) Yamagata, Kyoto and Tokyo

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

TDLC E-Newsletter Issue No. 11

To read the current issue or subscribe to the TDLC e-newsletter, please see the subscription page.

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007

ILO Public Seminar-Realization of “Decent Work” in Africa - towards TICAD IV　

In recent years, Arica has experienced steady economic growth - yet its impact on poverty reduction has been limited. One reason may be that “decent work” is not being generated in a fair and prompt manner.

To explore this issue, the ILO held a public seminar on December 19, 2007 connecting the TDLC with Ghana and Tanzania. Over 70 experts and practitioners gathered in Tokyo and took part in an active Q & A session with panelists.

Tanzania’s Ambassador Elly Elikunda Elineema Mtango, who heads the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, as well as Ambassador Shuichiro Megata, Personal Representative of the Prime Minister for Africa and Director-General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, opened the session. The seminar is particularly timely as Japan will be hosting the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in May.

Moderated by Mr. Shinichi Hasegawa, Director, ILO Office in Japan, the keynote speech was given by Mr. Jürgen Schwettmann, Director, ILO Office for Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda on “Employment Creation in East Africa”. Mr. Minoru Ogasawara, Programme Officer, ILO/IPEC, Geneva followed with a report on “Tackling Child Labour in Africa”.

The Panel Discussion on “ Productive Employment and Wealth Creation in Africa” facilitated by Mr. Schwettmann featured presentations by Ms. Kaori Tanaka, Senior Program Officer, Human Development Dept., JICA; Mr. Shigeru Nakajima, International Representative, JTUC-RENGO; Mr. John McIntire, Country Director, World Bank Tanzania Office (via videoconference); Mr. Shigeki Komatsubara, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ghana (via videoconference).

Friday, October 26th, 2007

Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop

The “Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop in Tokyo”, sponsored by JICA and organized by the TICAD Civil Society Forum, conducted its closing session on October 26, 2007 via videoconference connecting from the TDLC with 6 African countries to share the results of the 2-day workshop.

With the TICAD IV meetings coming up in Yokohama in May 2008, the Tokyo Workshop was held to provide an opportunity for participants to listen to the citizens of Africa and foster greater understanding. It follows up on the Nairobi Workshop held in Kenya in September, attended by 80 persons including representatives from 13 African NGOs.

Building on the “Voices of African Civil Society” adopted by members in Nairobi, participants in the Tokyo Workshop drafted “Voices of African and Japanese Civil Society” reflecting the views of Japanese NGOs as well.

The closing session incorporated videoconference to share these results with counterparts in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cameroon. The session at the TDLC was attended by 30 participatns including representatives of African NGOs. Mr. Charles Abbey presented a summary of the Tokyo Workshop.

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

APO Secretary General Visits TDLC

From right to left: Mr. Song Hyun Choi, Director, APO Agriculture Department; Mr. Shigeo Takenaka, Secretary-General, APO; Mr.Shigeru Yoshida, Kamaichi Co.; Dr. Muhammad Saeed, Program Officer, APO Agriculture Department.

Mr. Shigeo Takenaka, Secretary General of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), visited the TDLC on October 2, 2007 to observe the final session of the organization’s course on ISO 22000. The APO, one of the TDLC’s earliest partners, has been working through the TDLC to expand their distance learning training programs. A total of three courses - Green Productivity and Integrated Management Systems, Toyota Production System, and ISO22000 - were conducted over 9 phases this summer, connecting to sites in 15, 15 and 14 countries respectively to train more than 900 participants.

The final session of the ISO 22000 course connected the TDLC with India, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Mr. Shigeru Yoshida of Kamaichi Co. Ltd., guest speaker for the session, shared his experience on acquiring ISO 22000 certification.

“I am very encouraged by the enthusiastic response from the audience to this excellent presentation” said Mr.Takenaka, expressing his gratitude. “I am one who advocates increasing projects in the area of food safety, so my view has been vindicated by what I have seen today”

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

World Bank President Robert Zoellick Visits Tokyo

On his first official visit to Japan since assuming his role on July 1, 2007, World Bank President Robert Zoellick visited the Tokyo Development Learning Center on August 8, 2007 for a Brown Bag Lunch session with Bank and TDLC staff. East Asia Pacific Regional Vice President Jim Adams, who accompanied Mr. Zoellick, briefed the group on his visit to Australia, Vietnam and Cambodia prior to arriving in Tokyo. 

After a round of handshakes, Mr. Zoellick gave his views on issues such as the significance of Middle Income Countries, as well as Governance, integrated as an important part of the Bank’s agenda. Mr. Zoellick’s visit comes at an important time in the Bank’s partnership with Japan, with events such as TICAD, to be co-hosted by the Government of Japan, the Bank and UNDP as well as the G8 Summit due to take place in Japan next year. Japan is the Bank’s second largest shareholder.

See the World Bank site for full coverage of President Robert Zoellick’s first visit to Japan and the East Asia Pacific region.

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007

TDLC E-Newsletter Issue No.9

To read the current issue or subscribe to the TDLC e-newsletter, please see the subscription page.

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Corporate Social Responsibility and BOP

3rd Session Concludes World Bank Group CSR Seminar Series

The 3rd session in the World Bank Group Corporate Social Responsibility Seminar Series concluded on May 23, 2007 with a discussion on BOP case studies at the TDLC.

Mr. Djordjija Petkoski, Head of Business and Development at the World Bank Insitute spoke on “Public Private Partnerships?” , while Mr. William J. Kramer, Deputy Director, Development Through Enterprise presented “BOP Business Cases”.

A panel discussion followed moderated by Mr.Koichi Kaneda, Deputy Genral Manager,CSR Promotion Department, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Mr. George Hara, Group Chairman and CEO, Deft Partners, Mr.Kazuo Tsurumi, Executive Managing & National Director, Plan Japan and Mr.Arseny Chuk Besher, Japan Director, Asia Foundation commented as panelists.

Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

TDLC Instructional Designer Visits USQ

Opportunities for Collaboration Discussed with E-Learning Experts

Jiping Zhang, TDLC Senior Distance Learning Specialist, completed a 2-week visit to the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Toowoomba Campus, where she worked with experts on campus to explore collaboration opportunities on e-Learning for the GDLN.

“USQ has a lot of learning courses in various topics, and is strong in distance and e-Learning. Through collaboration, we can learn and take advantage of their expertise, and benefit from their learning programs” said Jiping.

The visit follows a historic partnership agreement signed between the USQ and GDLN Asia Pacific through the TDLC to enhance education, learning and development efforts in the region. The TDLC promotes blended learning for development, while USQ has expertise in the development and delivery of study materials and programs around the globe. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Learning Services at USQ Professor Jim Taylor, an internationally renowned expert in e-learning, has expressed high hopes for the agreement, saying that it offers the University a direct opportunity to contribute positively to developing nations.

While at USQ, Jiping spoke to many specialists in fields with experience directly relevant to the GDLN. Dr. Shirley Reushle, an online teaching and pedagogy expert, showed Jiping her online courses “Online Pedagogy in Practice” using Elluminate, which supports synchronized online teaching and collaboration. They also discussed the USQ Graduate Certificate program on “Further Educational Training”, which Jiping found particularly useful to the GDLN’s capacity building efforts on e-Learning.

Also, Dr. Birgit Loch, demonstrated how she used “Camtasia” to record her lectures live and put them online for students in distance. A lecturer of Maths & Computing, Dr. Loch pioneered the employment of new technologies to better serve her students both on campus and in distance

Based on the Agreement, one of the benefits that the GDLN looks forward to is USQ’s Integrated Content Environment (ICE) – a free open source content management system and authoring tool that USQ developed which is now used extensively within the University. The USQ and TDLC are making download arrangements so that the TDLC and GDLN can utilize the system. While at USQ, Jiping received training on ICE from Ms. Pamela Glossop with follow-up to become proficient in its use.

Jiping also worked with USQ faculty members to explore collaboration possibilities on learning programs, including an “Into for Business” course, USQ’s “ Open Courseware” initiative. She also received advice from Senior e-Learning Advisor, Mr. Toren Marcussen on the draft Microfinance course that TDLC will be facilitating through Moodle.

University of Southern Queensland

Friday, April 27th, 2007

World Bank CSR Initiative Seminars: Video Interview with Speakers from Session 1

A video interview (Japanese only)with speakers from the “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative” Seminar Series Session 1: “Business, Development and CSR”, held at the TDLC on March 8, 2007, is available for view now.

Please visit the World Bank Tokyo Office Website

Related News: The World Bank Group CSR Seminar Series Begins

Thursday, April 19th, 2007

Supporting Youth Voices

The Next Generation Speaks Out on Development at new GDLN Seminar

Young people active in development issues had their voices heard on April 19, 2007 participating in the first session of a GDLN distance learning seminar “An Inter-Regional Knowledge Sharing Series on the 2007 World Development Report (WDR)”. The focus of the Seminar is in line with the key message of WDR 2007: Development and the Next Generation.

Organized by the World Bank and the Vietnam Development Information Center in cooperation with the TDLC and other affiliates, the two-part Seminar brings together youth leaders, Bank staff and policy makers from the East Asia and Pacific region to discuss development programs initiated by youth. It will also explore the potential for increasing youth participation in the decision making process at national levels.

Titled “Supporting Youth Voices”, the first session was moderated from Washington DC connecting youth from Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby, Singapore, Tokyo, Vientiane, Ulaanbaatar and Sydney.

As keynote presenter,  Director of WDR 2007 as well as Human Development (Education, Health, Nutrition and Population) for the Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Region Emmanuel Y. Jimenez set the tone for the session, stressing the importance of youth participation in issues and activities related to international development.

Four youths from Thailand, Lao PDR, Japan and Mongolia gave presentations on their activities, impressing listeners with their energetic approach to engaging young people.

PADATC Team Building Trainer and member of Youth Council, Chanthalangsy Sysouvanh from Lao identified youth violence and unemployment as challenges in his country, coupled with frustration due to lack of trust in youth’s abilities and the government’s inability to recognize youth’s ideas. Chalongkwan Tavarayuth, Representative of the Youth, Development and Peace Network Steering committee of Thailand pointed out the need to create a new culture of youth participation—how to trust and invest in young people.

A second seminar is planned for June focusing on increasing youth participation in the decision making process at the national level.

For more information, visit the World Bank website at http://www.worldbank.org/wdr2007

Thursday, April 5th, 2007

World Bank “East Asia and Pacific Regional Update” Available Now

Half-yearly Report Launched at TDLC

-A decade after the financial crisis which devastated East Asia in mid-1997, the region now has more money, fewer poor people and a larger global role than ever before. Driven largely by the continued strong growth of China, the developing countries of East Asia today have a combined output of US$4 trillion a year – more than three times the pre-crisis volume.

-But even as the region celebrates the recovery, a new challenge looms which could slow or even derail growth if not properly handled: countries of East Asia could find themselves caught in a “middle-income trap” and struggle to climb steadily to higher income levels.

These are some of the findings from the latest “East Asia and Pacific Reigonal Update”, launched globally on April 5, 2007 for the first time from Tokyo at a Public Seminar held at the TDLC.

Hosted by the World Bank Tokyo Office and the Japan Center for International Finance (JCIF), report authors Mr. Milan Brahmbhatt, Lead Economist, East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank and Mr. Bert Hofman, Lead Economist, World Bank Beijing Office, gave presentations followed by commentary by Mr. Kunio Matsuda, Managing Director, JCIF; Mr. Masahiro Kawai, Dean, Asian Development Bank Institute; and Mr. Shigeki Kimura, Director of Development Institutions Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance.

This issue also marks “10 Years After the Crisis” with a special focus on “Sustainable Development in East Asia’s Urban Fringe”.

For more information and to download the full report, see the World Bank website http://go.worldbank.org/NH9CGZNXA0

Friday, March 16th, 2007

Promoting Clean Development Mechanism Projects in Cebu

OECC, Philippines’ Environmental Management Bureau Facilitate Videoconference for Information Exchange

The Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC)/ Secretariat for the Kyoto Mechanisms Information Platform in Japan and the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau conducted a videoconference connecting Tokyo and Cebu on March 16, 2007 to promote local Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects.

A similar event was held last March with Manila, but this year, Cebu was selected as a rural city with rich prospects for CDM activities. The conference was organized as a means for stakeholders in Japan and Cebu to exchange information, hopefully leading to project implementation.

After Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmena opened the conference with nearly 50 participants, Session 1 “Enabling Environment for CDM Activities in the Philippines” began with a presentation by an EMB-DENR official on recent information related to the CDM approval process in the Philippines. Outstanding opportunities in Cebu were also presented. From Japan, the Japan Kyoto Mechanisms Acceleration (JKAP) Program , initiated by the government and related agencies to assist with information dissemination, capacity building, business matching etc., for effective application of the Kyoto Mechanism was also introduced.

In session 2, stakeholders in Japan and Cebu exchanged information, with Mayor Osmena of Cebu, Mayor Z.Thadeo Ouano and others speaking of project potential.

With the support of Japan’s Ministry of Environment(MOEJ), the OECC contributes to the conservation of the global environment through supporting research, personnel training and non-governmental activities in cooperation with many countries. It also runs the Kyoto Mechanisms Information Platform and promotes the joint implementation of CDM projects.

Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center

Kyoto Mechanism Information Platform

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

24-Hour Global Videoconference: Tomorrow’s Leaders Speak Out on Corruption

Students from Hitotsubashi University Contribute Views in Worldwide Dialogue

Students from Hitotsubashi University School of International and Public Policy joined a unique 24-hour global videoconference consultation “Tomorrow’s Leaders Speak Out: Partnering to Combat Corruption and Improve Governance” connecting from the TDLC on March 15, 2007. Organized by the World Bank Institute, this event circled the globe in 12 two-hour sessions, bringing together students from leading business and public administration schools to provide recommendations on governance and anti-corruption issues.

The event ran parallel to a high-level conference held in Belgium, “Fighting Corruption: New Frontiers in Public-Private Partnerships”, organized by the Government of Belgium, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank.

Hitotsubashi University participated in Session 7 along with the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, and the Wharton School in Philadelphia, U.S.A. Each site assumed a designated role - government for ANU, civil society and the international donor community for Wharton, and the private sector for Hitotusbashi – and presented recommendations for action to combat corruption.

In their presentations, Wharton emphasized the importance of an independent media free from corporate and state interests to shed light on corrupt practices. ANU proposed the need to have a mechanism for governments to acknowledge corruption without political harm. Hitotsubashi pointed out that in the private sector, the cost of corruption was perceived as relatively small on an individual level, highlighting the need to raise awareness of its collective cost and promote institutional action. With many international students from Asia, participants from Hitotsubashi were able to share experiences from their own countries as well.

Session 7 concluded by adopting the following 3 recommendations which were submitted to the Conference Secretariat at Egmont Palace, Brussels:

1. Establish economic incentives to hinder corruption through a “naming and shaming” mechanism.
2. Create a “world corruption hotline” for reporting petty corruption.
3. Move towards collective action among industries, as well as among relevant stakeholders.

Together, students participating in the 12 videoconference sessions contributed more than 130 recommendations for fighting corruption. These were collected and evaluated, and the items with the most consensus were presented to the policymakers and leaders present at the Conference.

For a full report of the Conference and the 24-hour global videoconference including final recommendations, please visit http://www.improvinggovernance.be/en/

Monday, March 12th, 2007

Mongolia, Laos Connect for VC on Medical and Dental Education

JCPF Conducts Double Session

The Japan Cleft Palate Foundation (JCPF), which supports patients with cleft lip and palate in Asia, held 2 international videoconferences on March 12, 2007 connecting the TDLC with Mongolia and Laos.

“The International Conference for business schemes of Honorary Consulate-General of the Lao PDR in Nagoya” was opened by the Honorary Consul General of the Lao PDR in Nagoya Tadataka Koide speaking from the TDLC. This Conference was a learning session with experts giving lectures on oral health care, intensive care, cardiovascular diseases and international cooperation in Asia.

This was followed by the “Third International Videoconference on Medical and Dental Education between Mongolia and Aichi”. Part of a continuing effort to improve the condition of medical care in Mongolia, Mr. Koide, also President of the Committee for Medial and Dental Education and International Cooperation, and Health Science University of Mongolia President Ts.Lkhagvasuren praised such efforts, while JCPF Director Nagato Natsume and others reported on future plans.

After the videoconference, participants attended a coffee hour held at the World Bank Public Information Center (PIC Tokyo) organized in conjunction with the Bank Tokyo Office. For more on the PIC event, see http://go.worldbank.org/5K157PLH50

Thursday, March 8th, 2007

The World Bank Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Seminar Series Begins

First Session: Business, Development and CSR

With developing countries gaining greater recognition as a potential market, companies are exploring new ways to contribute to poverty reduction through business development incorporating unconventional methods and technologies. To promote debate on these trends, a new seminar series under the World Bank Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative was launched on March 8, 2007 at the TDLC. In attendance were over 150 participants from both the public and private sectors with relevant experience, underscoring the significance of CSR in today’s global business environment.

Conducted with the cooperation of the Caux Round Table Japan, the first session entitled “Business, Development and CSR” set the tone for the series with an introduction of the World Bank Group’s CSR activities followed by discussions on the role of companies in developing countries. With CSR now a well established concept among Japanese firms, many in the audience brought their own practical experience to the floor, contributing to a lively debate with presenters.

Opening the session, Mr.Djordjija Petkoski, head of the Business, Competitiveness and Development team at the World Bank Institute, gave a presentation by video identifying WBI’s multi-stakeholder partnerships as a new paradigm to meet development challenges, with examples of best practices.

In Tokyo, Mr.Shunichi Murata, Director, UNDP Tokyo Office, spoke about “Millenium Development Goals and CSR”, emphasizing the importance of the private sector. Mr. Toru Hashimoto, Chairman, Deutsche Securities Inc., and President of the Caux Round Table, Japan, provided his insight on “Business Leaders with Global Perspective”.

Mr. Soichiro Shiroki, former 21 Century Research Institute Research Fellow and Project Manager, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries introduced the “BOP (Bottom of the Pyramid) Business Concept”, which targets the poor in developing countries and aims to raise their standard of living while seeking corporate profit at the same time. Identifying local needs, establishing distribution routes, and differences in lifestyles and religion as well as licensing procedures for production and sales were some of the difficulties raised with new entry into BOP markets.

Ms. Motoko Aizawa, Head, Policy and Standards Unit at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) concluded the session with an overview of “The World Bank Group Activities on CSR and BOP business”.

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

Nissan LPIE Participants Report on Group Research

Videoconference Provides Opportunity for Review

Participants in this year’s Nissan Leadership Program for Innovative Engineers (Nissan LPIE) had an opportunity to present their findings via videoconference on February 24, 2007. The TDLC has been collaborating with the Program to provide GDLN services to organize VC sessions enabling cross-regional discussions between participants and distinguished leaders in business and society.

The session was the final VC for this 9 month term, and 17 participants from Tokyo and Kyoto, working in 3 groups, connected to report on their projects.

From Washington D.C., Project Director Sawako Takeuchi, Kyoto University Professor, greeted the group, and Professor Richard Lester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Director, Industrial Performance Center, provided feedback as Advisor to the Project. The Nissan LPIE was announced in March 2006 by Nissan CEO Mr. Carlos Ghosn. It aims to nurture global leaders with backgrounds in natural science, capable of creating next-generation business models through a profound understanding of science and technology and its relationship to diverse social needs. The TDLC will continue to support the program in the coming term to contribute to further enrichment of the program.

Nissan LPIE

Friday, February 2nd, 2007

“Knowledge Community in Project-based Learning”

New GDLN AP Regional Program to Start in Western China

Schools in China are participating in a new GDLN regional program “Knowledge Community in Project-based Learning” led by the TDLC. In collaboration with the China Development Distance Learning Network (CDDLN), an inaugural videoconference was held on February 2, 2007, connecting 300 primary and junior middle school teachers in Western China with Beijing. Over the school year, teachers will receive training to conduct project-based learning sessions incorporating various information and communication technologies.

Project-based learning, as part of “Integrated Studies” in the school curriculum, has become an important feature of China’s education reform. It emphasizes higher-order thinking, encouraging students to move into inter-disciplinary studies. Introducing technology and monitoring each child’s progress, however, have proven to be a challenge for many schools, particularly in less developed areas such as the western region.

The new GDLN program seeks to assist these efforts through action learning of teachers. China’s State Council Western Region Development Leading Office (WRDO) which governs the CDDLN, and the National Curriculum and Textbook Development Center (NCCT) of China’s Ministry of Education has issued an official document to support the project. Tsinghua University’s Educational Network for Poverty Reduction will also join the program to recruit teachers from remote counties in the Western provinces.

Through videoconference sessions, teachers will be trained in the use of “Knowledge Community (KC)”, a web-based collaborative learning tool. They will return to their schools to conduct classes using their newly acquired skills from March till May, while continuing to share experiences through on-line discussions. About 6 schools from Eastern China that have prior experience using KC will be paired with 9 Western schools. Additional videoconference sessions are scheduled in March and June for further teacher training and discussions on outstanding issues. All schools will submit a written report and students will play a large role in reporting what they have learned.

At the inaugural videoconference connecting Distance Learning Centers in Beijing, Guangxi, Guizhou, Xinjiang, Yunnan as well as 12 centers within the Tsinghua University Network, representatives from China’s WRDO, NCCT, Tsinghua University and the TDLC opened the session. A keynote speech was given by Professor Liu Jian, Director of the Program Office at NCCT, introducing the new course and teacher online training. Jiping Zhang, TDLC Senior Distance Learning Specialist moderated this session and explained the implementation plan of the program, followed by a training session on using KC and facilitating project-based learning in schools by Dr.Christopher Tan, who developed the KC platform, and other teachers.

Knowledge Community

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Introducing Lester Dally, World Bank Acting Special Representative in Japan

“I am very excited about our work here and the challenges ahead.” Lester Dally, the World Bank’s Acting Special Representative in Japan, spoke enthusiastically of raising the Japan-World Bank partnership to new heights upon his arrival in Tokyo in January 2007.

Having served as Deputy Director of the Bank Tokyo office from 1997 to 2000, Mr.Dally is well versed in Japanese affairs. “I look forward to collaborating with many colleagues and friends in the Japanese development community”. Mr. Dally takes over from Yukio Yoshimura, who retired from the Bank earlier in the month.

As the Bank’s second largest shareholder after the U.S., Japan is an important Bank partner in many fields, including initiatives such as the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Mr.Dally will lead efforts to deepen the relationship with the Japanese government as well as the development community at large. Mr Dally is a New Zealander and graduate of Auckland and Harvard Universities.

Prior to his arrival in Tokyo, Mr. Dally worked closely with the Tokyo Office as Senior External Affairs Counsellor based in Washington D.C. A strong supporter of the TDLC who played a key role in its inception, one of Mr.Dally’s goals here is to ensure closer cooperation between the Bank and the TDLC. The Bank’s Governance and Anticorruption (GAC) Strategy consultations,for example, were conducted collaboratively, with the TDLC connecting participants from government and civil society in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia,New Zealand Australia and Japan.

“I am convinced from our work together on recent initiatives that teamwork and collaboration with our partners produces better outcomes and enables us to reach a broader set of audiences and partners within Japan”, emphasized Mr. Dally.

“Using the TDLC, one of the most sophisticated global communications systems, enables us to achieve greater reach and impact for our government relations, communications and constituency outreach in Japan, the Asia region and beyond.”

Monday, December 11th, 2006

New World Bank EAP Vice President Jim Adams Visits TDLC

##Stresses Importance of World Bank Partnership with Japanese Counterparts##

The new World Bank East Asia Pacific (EAP) Regional Vice President, Mr. Jim Adams toured the TDLC on December 11, 2006, on his first visit to Japan since assuming his position. Mr. Adams arrived via China, the first leg of his trip, highlighting the significance of the 2 countries in the region.

During a 4-day visit, Mr. Adams met with Japanese senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as counterparts in development agencies including JBIC and JICA. He also had an opportunity to hold lively discussions with opinion leaders from NGOs, media, academia etc. Mr. Adams expressed his desire to listen and learn, reaffirming the importance of the World Bank’s partnerships in working to tackle regional challenges together.

At the TDLC, Mr. Adams shared his views on the region in a relaxed atmosphere with Bank and TDLC staff members, surprising the group with “quizzes” on the Bank’s history.

With more than 30 years experience in Bank operations, particularly in Africa where he served as Country Director for Tanzania and Uganda, Mr. Adams brings a wealth of knowledge to Asia at a time when greater emphasis is being placed on cross-regional exchange.

“Asia is an enormous development success story, and we must make it relevant to Africa” noted Mr. Adams, while also pointing out that there are lessons in Africa for East Asia as well, especially with respect to smaller island nations.

Plans to convene a high level dialogue with Japanese counterparts in early 2007 was discussed and supported by both the Bank and the Japanese government.

Tuesday, November 14th, 2006

Briefing on Asia Pacific Water Forum and First Asia Pacific Water Summit

New President Yoshiro Mori Calls for Team Spirit to Counter Water Issues

A briefing on the Asia Pacific Water Forum, established in September, and the First Asia Pacific Water Summit scheduled to take place in Oita in December 2007 was conducted for Embassy officials in Tokyo at the TDLC on November 14, 2006.

Taking over from President Ryutaro Hashimoto, who passed away earlier this year, the new President of the Japan Water Forum (JWF), former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori attended the briefing, addressing over 60 representatives from Embassies, the Japanese government, Asia Development Bank and JICA. Mr. Mori also serves as President of APWF and Chair of the Summit.

Reflecting on his student days as a rugby player, President Mori spoke of the “one for all, all for one” spirit of the sport, and promised, “I hope to apply this spirit, and do our best to cooperate as we embark on the activities of the Asia Pacific Water Forum”.

The idea for the APWF was hatched during the regional process leading up to the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico in 2005 as it became clear that water-related issues and challenges were common across the entire region. The APWF was established as an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-political network. It seeks to contribute to sustainable water management to achieve MDG targets in the Asia Pacific by capitalizing on the region’s diversity and rich history of experience in dealing with water. Specifically, the APWF will support efforts aimed at boosting investment, building capacity, and enhancing cooperation in the water sector at the regional level and beyond.

At the briefing, Senior Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya described Japan’s efforts in water and sanitation, noting that between 2000 and 2005, Japan’s ODA in this area totaled 4.6 billion dollars. Japan also hosted the Third World Water Forum in 2003, “leading international discussion on water issues”.

Mr. Kyosuke Shinozawa, Governor of JBIC, Mr. Michio Tanahashi, Director General of Water Resources, MLIT, Mr.Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative in Tokyo, also expressed their commitment to resolve water issues.

From Oita, the designated site of the First Asia Pacific Water Summit, Oita Governor Katsusada Hirose and President Monte Cassim of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, the venue of the meetings, were also in attendance. Both gave an enthusiastic welcome to participants, explaining that Beppu City is known for its innovative use of hot springs to serve multiple purposes, and is a particularly appropriate place to deepen discussions on water.

Asia Pacific Water Forum

Japan Water Forum

East Asia Posts Solid Growth While Bracing for Global Downturn

WB East Asia Update launched via GDLN

The World Bank’s second East Asia Update for this year, including a special section on “Investing in the Young”, was released on November 14, 2006 via the GDLN. Speakers at Bank Headquarters in Washington DC connected with regional sites in Dili, Port Moresby, Ulan Bator, Sydney, Beijing, Manila and the TDLC, allowing over 100 participants to join a question and answer session with the authors of the report.

The new Regional Vice President for East Asia Pacific (EAP) Mr. James Adams moderated the session, and the Update was presented by Mr.Homi Kharas, Bank Chief Economist for EAP, Mr. Milan Brahmbatt, Lead Economist for East Asia PREM and author of the report, as well as Mr. Emmanuel Jimenez, Sector Director for Human Development.

According to the Update, East Asian economies are expected to register their fifth consecutive year of strong growth in 2006, backed up by a substantial decline in poverty. But on the horizon, growth rates in Transition Economies and Newly Industrialized Economies are expected to slow, reflecting a likely weakening in US growth in 2007 and a consequent drop in exports from East Asia.

The center of attention in East Asia, China, with a growth rate of more than 10 percent, is underpinning the region’s overall GDP growth. Strong export growth has been a common feature sustaining activity throughout the region. However, domestic consumption and investment performance has been much more varied, reflecting the impact of higher oil prices and higher domestic interest rates in the first half of 2006. Improved public finances and lower public debt also provides the fiscal space for higher public spending, if required, especially in infrastructure and social services.

On longer term trends, the presenters noted that East Asia is increasingly a middle-income region, which poses new tensions. Mr.Kharas noted that inequality in much of developing East Asia has risen, not just in income levels, but also in schooling and access to basic services. “This pattern of economic growth highlights the need for a different strategy to invest in human capital”.

Mr. Jimenez elaborated on this report’s focus on youth in the region, pointing out that while East Asia had succeeded in providing opportunities for primary education, there was a need to examine curricula at higher levels to better prepare youth when they enter the work force in a dynamic economy.

Friday, November 10th, 2006

Facing the Challenges of African Growth: Opportunities, Constraints, and Strategic Directions

Discussions Enrich Global launch of New WB Report at the TDLC

The full text of the study and related materials are available here.

The global launch of a new World Bank report “Facing the Challenges of African Growth: Opportunities, Constraints, and Strategic Directions” took place at the TDLC on November 10, 2006. Defining the four big “I”s needed to achieve growth in Africa – Infrastructure, Investment, Innovation, and Institutional Capacity -- the author of the Report, Mr. Benno Ndulu, provided a review of the study before a distinguished panel of Japanese government and development agency officials and an audience of nearly 100.

Japan a Consistent Supporter of Growth Agenda

The study was conducted by the Bank under its Africa Action Plan announced in September 2005. Tokyo was chosen for the launch to call attention to the significant role that Asia has to play in Africa, not only as a market and source of investment but as an inspiration for a successful development experience. In addition, “Japan has been a consistent voice in support of the growth agenda in Africa” noted the facilitator of the seminar, Mr. John Page, Bank Chief Economist for Africa.

Opening the seminar, the Banks’s Special Representative in Tokyo, Vice President Yukio Yoshimura reiterated the Bank Group’s commitment to growth and poverty reduction in Africa. To further these goals, “conducting policy dialogue and accelerating cooperation on specific projects with Japanese counterparts has become increasingly important”, said Mr. Yoshimura.

3 Key Questions

The report seeks to answer 3 key questions:What are the opportunities and options for growth available to the diverse range of African countries? What are the major constraints to exploiting these opportunities? What are the strategic chioces to be made by African governments and their partners to exploit these opportunities?

In his presentation, Mr. Ndulu, who is an Advisor to the World Bank Africa Region Vice President and Manager of the Partnership Group, began by examining the diverse growth experience of African countries spanning 45 years, noting that slow productivity growth and policy and governance issues accounted for the growth difference with other regions, with disadvantages from geography and the “resource curse” compounding difficulties.

Mr.Ndulu pointed to the 4 big “I”s as critical areas for action. While the unique situation in each country requires specific analysis, Africa can still learn from similarities for strategic direction, with an emphasis on energizing private investment and fostering efficiency and competitiveness. Mr.Ndulu concluded with key messages for both Africans and development partners. Africans are encouraged to shape their own destiny, to adopt unorthodox approaches for results, with leadership and collective action. Development partners are asked to provide more and better aid and a supportive global trading environment.

Japanese Policy Makers Respond

Commentators in Tokyo provided views based on their experience in development, reflecting different institutional and academic backgrounds.

From a policy perspective, Mr.Mitsuhiro Maeda, Director for Trade Finance, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, concurred with the significance of infrastructure in African development, but pointed to the need for financial mechanisms other than ODA.

Mr.Shigeki Kimura, Director, Development Institutions Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, called the report “monumental”, recalling the past when Africa was regarded mostly as a recipient of aid for basic human needs. Mr. Kimura praised the report for its effort to change that perception, promoting the continent as a business investment opportunity. He also contributed his ideas on Asia and Africa, pointing to the role of the financial sector in Asia.

Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto, Director, Second Country Assistance Planning Division, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke from his ODA experience. “The report focuses on capacity building to promote business opportunities” said Mr. Hashimoto, “but capacity building is also important to ensure that recipients are capable of effective disbursement of ODA”.

African Leadership Crucial for Implementation

Representatives from development agencies offered comments based on their experiences in implementation. Mr.Yuichi Sasaoka, Senior Assistant to the Director General, Africa Department , JICA, gave high marks to the comprehensive nature of the report. On the assessment of Africa’s economic progress in the past decade, Mr. Sasaoka raised the issue of newly industrializing economies within the region and their role in Africa’s future.

Mr. Hitoshi Shoji, Deputy Director General, Development Assistance Department IV, JBIC, agreed that the report provided an excellent introduction to understanding the problems facing African countries. “The question for practitioners is how to solve these interrelated problems. The question for Africa is implementation, requiring leadership”. Mr. Shoji also commented on AIDs and agriculture as 2 vital issues lacking in the study.

Professor Motoki Takahashi, Vice Dean, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University, also spoke about the importance of agriculture and its role in macroeconomic growth. Professor Takahashi called the Africa-Asia comparison a delicate issue, and encouraged the Japanese to learn from the African experience as well.

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

Seminar with WBI VP Frannie A. Leautier

“Cities in a Globalizing World: Governance, Performance and Sustainability”

World Bank Institute Vice President Frannie A. Leautier gave a presentation on “Cities in a Globalizing World: Governance, Performance and Sustainability” at the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management in Seoul on November 7, 2006. A distinguished audience at the TDLC from organizations such as JBIC, JICA and ADBI joined the seminar via videoconference and participated in a question and answer session.

Based on a new book in the WBI Learning Resources Series, Ms. Leautier explained the importance of understanding cities in a globalizing world. “Cities are the birthplace of globalization, and the testing ground for governance and democracy”. Speaking on five key themes---the globalization of city infrastructure, city performance profiles from Africa, globalization and city governance, globalization, technology and scale, globalization and city performance---Ms.Leautier also touched on operational and policy implications and cited the need to improve data available at the city level.

Ms.Leautier is a leading expert in infrastructure strategy formulation in developing countries.

WBI

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006

One Village, One Product at the TDLC

Dr.Morihiko Hiramatsu, best known as the initiator of the “One Village, One Product (OVOP)” movement, visited the TDLC on October 25,2006 to speak at a distance learning session organized by the APO and GDLN. Ever the salesman, Dr.Hiramatsu came equipped with “village products” such as shochu and shiitake, for which Oita is famous, and gave an enthusiastic lecture on the merits of OVOP.

OVOP was originally implemented in Oita when Dr.Hiramatsu, currently President of the Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee, was governor. It has caught the imagination of developing countries throughout the region and the APO is organizing a comprehensive program facilitating mutual learning and experience sharing, drawing lessons from Japan and Thailand’s OVOP projects. Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos connected to Tokyo for this session.

[APO](http://www.apo-tokyo.org/index.htm)

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Pacific Resource Exchange Center Hosts Alumni Seminar in China

Trainees from Beijing, Chongqing and Xinjiang Discuss SMEs

The Pacific Resource Exchange Center (PREX) held an Alumni Seminar via videoconference for its trainees on September 28, 2006, connecting the TDLC with three sites in China; Beijing, Chongqing and Xinjiang.

Over 60 participants listened to a lecture given by Dr. Kyoichi Ishihara, Faculty of Cross-Cultural Studies, Kobe University, on SME Promotion-Japanese Case Studies and Promotion Policy. Questions from the audience were collected by e-mail, and discussions continued on SMEs and intellectual property rights, strategic collaboration with foreign countries and human resources. Some expressed hopes that this seminar would serve to promote investment in Xinjiang by Japanese firms.

PREX was established in April 1990 to promote an international exchange of human resources through capacity building in developing countries. It has conducted 299 courses to date, providing training opportunities for 9241 people in 107 countries and regions. 846 will participate in 35 courses for fiscal year 2006.

PREX

Thursday, September 21st, 2006

TDLC and VDIC:  Collaborating to Enhance Development Activities in Japan and Vietnam

New Center to Open in Vietnam’s Second City

With Vietnam fast becoming a success story in poverty reduction, the TDLC is working with its counterpart in Hanoi, the Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC), to enhance development activities in both the public and private sectors.

Efforts began in April 2006, when VDIC Manager Linh Hoai Nguyen was invited to visit the TDLC so that the 2 Centers could jointly market GDLN services to development agencies such as JBIC, JICA and JETRO in Tokyo. Encouraged by the positive response, TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in May and met representatives of JBIC, JICA JETRO and the Japan Business Association in both cities. A new brochure introducing the TDLC and VDIC will be distributed for reference in Japan and Vietnam.

The second most populous country in ASEAN, GDP growth in Vietnam is estimated at 8.4% for 2005, with investment rising from 38.4 % of GDP in 2004 to 38.9% in 2005. Its economic relationship with Japan is also very strong, with agreements between the two governments to promote, protect and liberalize investment. “The need for capacity building is high, which is where the GDLN can be of assistance, especially with World Bank projects” says Fukui.

Both Managers are keen to establish the GDLN as an indispensable tool for the private sector as the need for training and communications between local and head offices expands. Private sector investment in Vietnam continues to show rapid expansion, with 40,000 new businesses registered in 2005.

To tackle the volume of activity, a new GDLN Center will open in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2006. Financed by the Ho Chi Minh City Government with assistance from the World Bank and the Governments of Canada and Denmark, the new center is expected to focus on private sector programs.

The TDLC hopes to establish a cooperative relationship with Osaka University’s Nakanoshima Center, which would connect the two major centers for business and commerce in Japan and Vietnam – Tokyo and Osaka, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh – creating a powerful network supporting private sector activities.

VDIC

Saturday, September 16th, 2006

Nissan LPIE Holds First Global VC Session

##World Bank Engineer Speaks from Washington##

The Nissan LPIE, which aims to nurture global leaders with backgrounds in natural science, held its first global videoconference session on September 16, 2006.

For this session, World Bank Information Solutions Network Senior Telecommunications Engineer Svetoslav K. Tintchev spoke on “The Role of Engineers in International Organizations”. Kyoto University’s Information Media Center, the TDLC and WB Headquarters in Washington DC were connected via the GDLN.

Based on a partnership agreement with the Program, the TDLC is acting to collaborate these sessions, enabling interactive discussions between participants and distinguished leaders in business and society. A second session is planned for October.

[Nissan LPIE](http://www.nissan-lpie.org/en/index.html)

Thursday, September 7th, 2006

APO Conducts E-Learning Program on Green Productivity and ISO 14001

4 Day Course Given in 2 Phases for 8 Member Countries

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) conducted a 4-day e-learning program on Green Productivity and ISO 14001 from August 21 to 24, 2006. This first phase was given to member countries Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and Mongolia, connected via the GDLN with speakers from India and the TDLC in Tokyo. The program was repeated from September 4 to 7, 2006 for Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, reaching a total of 8 member countries.

The APO has integrated videoconferencing into its training programs, previously conducted as face-to-face sessions, to expand its reach in a cost-effective manner. It began its first fully-funded training program in March 2006 on the Toyota Production System, which concluded successfully on August 9 after 3 phases given to a total of 10 member countries in Asia.

Green Productivity (GP) was developed by the APO as a strategy to leverage the power of productivity to improve the quality of our environment. It was conceived on the understanding that a healthy environment and a robust, competitive economy are mutually dependent. GP has proven to be a practical approach for any type or size of enterprise, as its tools and techniques can be adopted in its entirety or in part, and the APO supports efforts to apply GP to help local and national economic development.

The 4-day course combined 3 days of lectures via videoconference and 1 day of group work at the local level. On the third day, participants took a field visit to enterprises which have obtained or implemented ISO 14001 certification, followed by discussions with the local coordinator and with speakers through e-mail. Findings were presented to all participants on the final day.

•••

APO

Tuesday, August 8th, 2006

Japanese Academics Join WB Chief Economist John Page for Round Table Discussion on Africa

Japanese academics and development practitioners joined World Bank Chief Economist for Africa, Mr. John Page for a Round Table Discussion on Africa at the World Bank Tokyo Office on August 8, 2006.

“Africa is the most challenging problem we face in development”, said Mr.Page, opening the session. Held to exchange information on on-going research in Africa and explore opportunities for cooperation between academic circles in Japan and the Bank, Mr.Page posed the question, “Aren’t there some new ideas for Africa?”

Reflecting on recent discussions with Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Mr.Page outlined four themes to take Africa beyond recovery and modest growth—the political economy of shared growth, African firms and industrial policy, the relationship between rural and urban economies, and skills and human development beyond primary education.

11 representatives from Japan gave a brief presentation of their experiences in Africa and current research projects. A discussion followed spanning issues such as the difference in aid management in Africa and Asia, and all agreed to follow up on these discussions in the near future.

[World Bank Africa Region]( http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,menuPK:258649~pagePK:158889~piPK:146815~theSitePK:258644,00.html)

Monday, August 7th, 2006

World Bank Public Seminar: “Challenges and New Opportunities in Africa”

Tokyo and Osaka Connect to Discuss Positive Trends in Development

A World Bank Public Seminar on “Challenges and New Opportunities in Africa” was held on August 7, 2006, connecting the TDLC, Osaka University Nakanoshima Center and South Africa via videoconference. The session brought together almost 100 experts from the private sector, government, international organizations and academia in both Tokyo and Osaka. In collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Kankeiren (Kansai Economic Federation), the seminar was organized by the World Bank Group as part of a continuing effort to stimulate private sector interest in Africa.

The keynote address was given by Mr. John Page, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa, who described positive trends in the region beginning in the mid 1990s and pointed to the need for a shared growth strategy. Good governance and skills development beyond primary education were among the issues raised to accelerate development.

Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Japan Dr.B.S.Ngubane and Director of the JETRO Johannesburg Center Mr. Katsumi Hirano, who participated from Pretoria by videoconference, followed with comments. Both emphasized the importance of the private sector in promoting economic growth in Africa, and identified the need for a new policy framework to facilitate aid for development.

•••

World Bank Africa Region

Wednesday, July 19th, 2006

Briefing on South Asia with World Bank SAR Vice President Praful Patel

GDLN Asia Pacific Sites Connect for Cross-Asia Dialogue

Next door neighbors can benefit from a good discussion – as was proven at the TDLC on July 19, 2006, when World Bank South Asia Region Vice President Mr. Praful Patel, India Country Director Mr. Fayez Omar and Sri Lanka Country Director Ms. Naoko Ishii gave an overview of their region to an audience in East Asia Pacific. The cross-Asia dialogue was attended by over 100 journalists, students, development agency representatives and others connecting via the GDLN from Sydney, Manila and Singapore to learn about the Bank’s strategy and development issues in South Asia.

Vice President Patel gave an optimistic view of South Asia, pointing to a steady growth rate of 5.5% for the region with Pakistan and India coming in at 7%. Mr.Patel highlighted several challenges for further growth such as building infrastructure, developing human resources and creating jobs, while proposing that the region’s youthful population was an advantage in building partnerships with aging countries such as Japan, where there is a growing demand for labor. HIV-Aids and public accountability were identified as priorities of the Bank in the region.

Mr. Omar briefed the group on the situation in India, painting a bright picture overall but emphasizing the challenges that robust growth brings, most notably the disparity between rich and poor states. Ms. Ishii described the political turmoil which had impeded development in Sri Lanka, and also spoke of uneven growth. Integrating the rural population into the global economy was one of the challenges facing the nation.

As the largest country in the region, many questions focused on India, and Indian students participating in Manila took the opportunity to seek policy advice on the effective use of foreign reserves and other issues.

•••

World Bank South Asia Region

Wednesday, July 12th, 2006

The Importance of Integrated Country Programs in the Fight against Avian and Human Influenza (AHI)

WB Conducts First Seminar in Inter-Regional Knowledge Sharing Series

The World Bank launched a new series of inter-regional distance learning seminars on Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) on July 12, 2006, with its first session, “The Importance of Integrated Country Programs in the Fight Against Avian and Human Influenza (AHI)”. The series utilizes the GDLN as an effective platform, allowing institutions, governments, technical agencies, donors, NGOs and others around the world to hold regular discussions on topics that are of high priority when dealing with AHI preparedness. The seminar was webcast live through the internet and comments and questions were accepted in real time via e-mail.

The first session focused on integrated country plans that form the basis for a coordinated and effective national response, with presentations by senior officials from Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. A total of 6 sites spanning 3 continents participated, with close to 100 in attendance. Comments were raised from Nigeria as well as Japan, with Mr. Taro Yamamoto, Deputy Director, Aid Planning Division of the Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking from the TDLC.

The session provided important insight into the ways in which countries, at very different stages in their response to AHI, have embedded the principles of coordinated multi-sectoral, planning, implementation and monitoring in their national plans. In countries where the response is most advanced, authorities are now looking to strengthen the role of civil society and the private sector and to introduce approaches that will ensure effective communication between all levels of government involved.

More information, including footage of the video discussion, presentations and all resource materials can be accessed on the web at http://www.worldbank.org/avianflu

Tuesday, June 27th, 2006

“Challenges and Future Perspectives of Water Resources Management: Cases from Middle East/Nort

World Bank Public Seminar Held via GDLN connecting Tokyo, Cairo and Beijing

"Challenges and Future Perspectives of Water Resources Management: Cases from Middle East/North Africa and Asia”was the theme of a World Bank Public Seminar held on June 27, 2006, allowing Bank experts to present their findings to nearly 60 specialists in the field from government, development agencies, the private sector and NGOs. Organized by the World Bank Tokyo Office and Japan Water Forum, the seminar connected Tokyo, Cairo and Beijing via the GDLN to incorporate various perspectives, including comments from Dr.Mahmoud A. Abu-Zeid, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.

The first half of the seminar, moderated by Japan Water Forum Secretary General Dr.Koutaro Takemura, began with a presentation on “Integrated Water Resources Management on a river-basin scale: Comparative Study of India, Brazil, China and France” by Mr. Satoru Ueda, World Bank Senior Water Specialist, Middle East and North Africa Region. Based on various case studies, Mr.Ueda identified 3 principles – ecological, institutional, and instrumental – as the key elements for successful management. On China, Mr.Liping Jiang, World Bank Beijing Office Senior Irrigation Engineer, joined the session via videoconference to discuss projects including the Tarim Basin and Hai River Basin. Mr. Takemura talked about Japan’s river law and revisions implemented over the years.

With Tokyo University’s Professor Mikiyasu Nakayama moderating, the second half of the seminar switched focus to the Middle East and North Africa region Mr. Vijay Jagannathan, World Bank Sector Manager for Water and Environment, Middle East and North Africa Region, spoke on “Making the Most of Scarcity – How Water Can Contribute to Growth and Development in the Middle East and North Africa” drawing from a Bank report currently under preparation. Mr.Jagannathan referred to Japan’s experience with water resources management during the course of its economic development, and suggested there might be lessons applicable to other regions.

Commenting from Cairo, Minister Abu-Zeid said, “The report reflects the capacity and potential available in this region and the outcome will give us the opportunity to overcome the challenges we’ve seen from the presentations”. He also added that to make the report clearer to partners in the region, “more rigorous analysis of other considerations such as the cultural and religious values of water, its social, political dimensions and environmental issues” would be helpful. Issues such as food security, dependency on imported water, the relationship between energy and water, as well as south-south regional cooperation were raised by the Minister.

Mr. Takemura concluded the session, pleased that, “Although the river-basin projects discussed today differ greatly in culture and ecology, there were hints to be gained on water resources management by comparing international cases”.

•••

Japan Water Forum

Videos of presentations by speakers are available here:

Mr.Kotaro Takemura (Language:JP)

Mr.Satoru Ueda (Language:JP)

Mr.Mikiyasu Nakamaya (Language:JP)

Mr.Liping Jiang (Language:ENG)

Mr. Vijay Jagannathan (Language:ENG)

Dr.Mahmoud A. Abu-Zeid (Language:ENG)

Thursday, June 22nd, 2006

Protecting Victims of Trafficking in Persons

Dialogue between Japan and the Philippines

In an effort to resolve the human trafficking issue in Asia, about 40 members of NGOs and government officials working in Japan and the Philippines connected via the GDLN on June 22, 2006 for a cross-border dialogue on victim protection and Japan’s role as a destination country. Organized by the Asia Foundation, the event was the first in a series of dialogues scheduled for this year to foster a better understanding of the mechanism of victim protection, repatriation and rehabilitation.

The dialogue brought together a unique panel of service providers and case managers not only in Tokyo, but on the post-repatriation side in Manila as well, taking advantage of videoconferencing to facilitate information exchange at both the local and international levels.

Opening the session at the TDLC, “Japan and the Philippines have differing perspectives on the trafficking issue”, said Ms. Keiko Tamai, Japan Program Director at the Asia Foundation’s Tokyo Office. “Today’s discussion will enable us to bridge this gap, so that we can come back to this table in the future and develop a common agenda for action”. Ms. Maribel Buenaobra from the Asia Foundation’s Manila Office moderated in Manila.

Participants engaged in intense debate over various issues, such as whether recent steps taken by the Japanese government to limit the number of visas for entertainers was an effective means to address the issue. Some suggested the need for initiatives to complement legal action, including setting up a forum where aid workers in Japan can collaborate with their counterparts in the Philippines to ensure that victims are able to return and settle safely.

The two sites also had an opportunity to review relevant issues among themselves and present a summary for further discussion. In Tokyo, participants agreed that both Non-governmental and Governmental organizations in Japan and the Philippines needed to define their roles and improve collaboration. Discussions in Manila spanned a broad range of issues including criteria for victim identification, Japanese labor law coverage for guest workers and Filipino-Japanese children.

Through this series, the Asia Foundation hopes to promote networking and jointly identify areas for improvement including specific action items and responsible actors. It also hopes to develop a system to monitor the welfare of Filipina and other trafficking victims after they have repatriated.

“There are a number of different groups battling human trafficking, but in order for them to be effective they need to share the same information and statistics” says the Foundation. “International conferences like this one, attended by both NGOs and government officials, provide a forum for discovering what topics require further communication”.

•••

Asia Foundation

Wednesday, June 21st, 2006

“Gender” Kicks Off ODA Task Force Seminar for FY2006

Kenya, Thailand and Pakistan Connect for Experience Sharing Session

Mainstreaming gender into development activities was the focus of discussions at the first distance seminar for Japan's ODA Task Force held this fiscal year, on June 21, 2006. Connecting the TDLC with Kenya, Thailand and Pakistan, members of each country's Task Force, including Japanese Embassy, JICA and JETRO staff, participated to share their experiences and exchanged opinions with speakers in Tokyo.

Following a brief summary of ongoing local projects from Bangkok and Nairobi, Ms. Asako Osaki, Consultant and former UNDP staff with experience in gender issues, gave a presentation from Tokyo titled "For materialization of gender-sensitive ODA -From WID (Women in Development) to GAD (Gender and Development)". Ms.Osaki challenged the notion that development is gender neutral, and said gender needed to be considered from the outset, in both project and policy planning.

Daniele Testelin, Counsellor of the Embassy of Canada also spoke from the TDLC on "Why Mainstreaming Gender Matters - Canadian International Development Agency's Perspective". Ms.Testelin emphasized equal access and control over resources as the two most significant issues in gender mainstreaming, and spoke of the need to focus on gender differences and inequalities, not women per se.

Japan's ODA Task Force Seminar is organized by the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID), which conducts training programs for the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The TDLC has supported the program as a capacity building effort. In its first year, participating sites included Bangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala, Vietnam and Laos for a total of 8 sessions. FASID plans to conduct several additional seminars this year.

•••

FASID

ADBI Wins Web4Dev Award

Honorable Mention for ADBI.org at inaugural Web for Development Awards

Last year at the Web for Development conference held at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Bank announced its sponsorship of three international awards to recognize excellence in development-oriented websites.

The winners have just been announced, and the TDLC is very pleased to congratulate our colleagues at the Asian Development Bank Institute whose site was awarded honorable mention and a $3,000 prize.

This is some very well-deserved recognition for the terrific work the Institute has been doing on the web over the last couple of years.

The TDLC works closely with ADBI on the Microfinance Training of Trainers Program, the third series of which will begin in August.

•••

ADBI

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Supreme Audit Institutions from G8 Countries Explore Possibilities for Cooperation

Russia Initiates Videoconference for Information Exchange

President of the Board of Audit of Japan, Mr. Muneharu Otsuka, connects from the TDLC

In an event leading up to the G8 Summit to be held in Russia in July, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) from 7 G8 countries participated in an information exchange session via videoconference on June 7, 2006.

Dr. Sergey V. Stepashin, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, proposed and moderated the meeting, connecting representatives from Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Great Britain and the USA. Mr. Muneharu Otsuka, President of the Board of Audit of Japan, joined the session from the TDLC.

Supreme Audit Institution representatives from 7 G8 countries discuss their roles prior to this year's G8 Summit

The meeting focused on the agenda for the G8 Summit, including energy safety, infectious disease control, development of education, and the role that SAIs can play with respect to each. After a presentation on these themes, representatives shared their experiences and explored possibilities for cooperation in the field of audit.

Participants spoke favorably of videoconferencing as an effective tool from a cost-benefit perspective, saving time and travel costs.

•••

Board of Audit of Japan

TDLC Receives Republic of Botswana President Festus Gontebanye Mogae

Opportunities Discussed for PPPs at Infrastructure Development Meeting

His Excellency President Festus G. Mogae (4th from left) and Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Affairs C. Tibone (2nd from left), Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism K. Mokaila (5th from left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation M.S. Merafhe (4th from right), Ambassador to Japan O. Motswagae (3rd from right). Other participants include moderator UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel (3rd from left), Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs Yoichi Otabe (right), World Bank Tokyo Office Vice President Yukio Yoshimura (2nd from right) and TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui (left).

The TDLC received President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of the Republic of Botswana on June 7, 2006, on the occasion of the "Meeting on Infrastructure Development for Small Economies through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) - The Case of Botswana".

Jointly hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana and the World Bank Group with support from the United Nations University (UNU), the TDLC connected speakers from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Helsinki in addition to over 50 participants in Tokyo who joined the President for a productive roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Hans van Ginkel, UNU Rector.

Participants in Tokyo included Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation M.S. Merafhe, Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Affairs C. Tibone and Minister of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism K. Mokaila as well as other senior government officials. From Japan, senior officials from MOFA and MOF, representatives from the private sector and Japanese development agencies including JBIC and JICA gathered to present their views.

President Mogae opened the session by outlining his government's efforts to promote PPP type investments in infrastructure projects. "The Private Participation in Infrastructure program is still new to us and we wish to learn from those with long experience this afternoon" stated the President.

Discussions began with a presentation by Ms. Ritva Reinikka, World Bank Country Director, who spoke from Pretoria with representatives from Botswana. Ms.Reinikka touched on the economic achievements and challenges facing Botswana, and pointed out that the infrastructure situation in the country lags behind the typical level for middle income countries. She also identified specific areas suitable for PPP type investments, and concluded that unlike other countries in the region, Botswana is embarking upon private participation in infrastructure from its natural desire to diversify the economy, not as a solution to an economic, financial or political crisis.

Participants from Japan pointed to the need to take advantage of Botswana's competitive edge, and improve the environment to attract private investment. Building an airport and encouraging tourism, as well as industries which utilize air transport were suggested as strategic areas for development. JBIC representatives talked about loan conditions for Japanese companies interested in moving into Botswana.

Mr. Katsumi Hirano, Director, JETRO Johannesburg Center connected from Johannesburg, and Dr. Georges Mavrotos of the UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research also commented from Helsinki.

Dr. Ginkel summarized by noting that the meeting served to confirm many good opportunities, and stressed the significance of the role of government in promoting private investment. He also pointed to the effectiveness of highlighting the strategic importance of Botswana within the South African economy.

President Mogae expressed his appreciation for the suggestions and views presented at the meeting, and emphasized the importance of Japanese firms' participation in infrastructure development.

•••

Embassy of Botswana

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

International Recovery Platform Holds Second Steering Committee Meeting

Participants in Geneva, Rome and Tokyo Discuss First Year Achievements

The International Recovery Platform (IRP) held its second Steering Committee meeting at the TDLC on June 1, 2006, connecting International Labour Organization (ILO) Headquarters in Geneva, The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome to Tokyo via videoconference.

Mr. Andrew Maskrey, Chair of the Steering Committee, opened the session expressing his appreciation for videoconferencing. "Without videoconferencing, it wouldn't be possible to have a meeting of this kind in 4 different locations at the same time".

Touching on the network's progress since the first Steering Committee meeting in September 2005, Mr. Maskrey reported that the IRP had now successfully established a formal Secretariat in Kobe. He also highlighted the achievements of the IRP's 3 hub activity areas, in advocacy and knowledge management, enhanced recovery operations and training and capacity building. Mr. Salvano Briceno, Director of UN/ISDR, stated that for the future, the challenge will be to ensure that collaboration and coordination contributes to a common process, to ensure the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.

The IRP, an initiative of UNDP, UN/OCHA, UN/ISDR and ILO, was launched in May 2005 in Kobe at the International Seminar on Recovery held as a follow-up to the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. The TDLC has collaborated with the IRP since its inception, facilitating connections for the Seminar spanning Washington, Ankara, New Delhi and Rome.

•••

IRP

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

Special Presentation of WB 2006 Global Development Finance Report

Asian Sites Enjoy Discussion with Report Authors

The World Bank's annual 2006 Global Development Finance (GDF) report was the focus of a special session at the TDLC on May 31, 2006, as connecting sites Indonesia, Vietnam, Mongolia and Thailand enjoyed a presentation given by the report's lead author, World Bank Lead Economist in Development Economics Mr.Mansoor Dailami and Manager of the Bank's Global Trends team, Mr.Hans Timmer.

This year's GDF was launched in Tokyo during the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE). The TDLC event is a follow-up, giving a diverse audience in Asia access to the Bank's flagship report via videoconference. Economists, journalists, government officials, and development agency representatives gathered at each site to join the discussion.

Mr.Dailami began the session with a power point presentation on the report's findings; net private capital flows to developing countries reached a record high of $491 billion in 2005, South-South flows have become an important aspect of development finance and for the poorest countries, donors have enhanced their aid effort.

On the outlook for the global economy, Mr. Timmer explained that growth in developing economies is projected to remain strong despite higher oil prices, cautioning, however, that the external environment is becoming less supportive and developing countries are more vulnerable.

A question and answer session followed, focusing on south-south flows, global growth and global imbalances, government policy regarding "hot money", and the impact of China on the global economy.

•••

2006 Global Development Finance Report

Tuesday, May 30th, 2006

Global Audience Joins ABCDE 2006 Tokyo via Video Link

## Enriches Discussions on Conference Theme “Rethinking Infrastructure” ##

The Opening Session of the ABCDE Conference, Tokyo Japan “Rethinking Infrastructure for Development” jointly hosted by Government of Japan. Photo: World Bank/Ken Katsurayama.

GDLN centers in Asia and beyond joined over 800 participants assembled in Tokyo for the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) held at Mita Conference Hall on May 29 and 30, 2006.  Marking the first time that this global event, organized by the World Bank and Japan’s Ministry of Finance, was held in Asia, the TDLC facilitated videoconferencing connections by providing its technical know-how and coordination services on-site to make the event accessible to a diverse audience.

Over the two day conference, 9 sites including the Philippines, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore, tuned into nearly 10 hours of coverage in total. The opening session and three plenary sessions, as well as keynote speeches by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Sadako Ogata and Nobel Prize Laureate for Economics Joseph Stiglitz were featured, with opportunities for sites to pose questions to leading thinkers in the field. It brought the Bank’s research on development in closer contact with Asian perspectives; this year’s theme “Rethinking Infrastructure for Development”, proved to be of particular relevance to countries in the region.

Opening the Conference, both World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and Japan’s Minister of Finance Sadakazu Tanigaki expressed condolences to the victims of the earthquake which hit Indonesia on May 27th, 2 days before the conference.

In his speech, President Wolfowitz outlined what “rethinking” infrastructure meant for the Bank, pointing to a two-pillar strategy. First, the Bank is re-engaging on the lending side after a decline in the 1990’s, ramping up infrastructure investments by $1 billion a year. Second, the Bank Group’s knowledge and technical expertise must be used to effectively mobilize other investments, helping to create the right economic, financial, and regulatory environment for infrastructure investment.

During Plenary Session 4 on “Infrastructure and Regional Cooperation” participants in connecting sites Mongolia and Sri Lanka appeared “on screen” to direct questions to panelists on stage.  The session featured a presentation by Asian Development Bank Vice President Liqun Jin on behalf of President Haruhiko Kuroda, who could not attend because of the situation in Indonesia,

Making a surprise appearance, Slovenian Minister of Finance Andrej Bajuk connected from Ljubljana during the closing session to announce that ABCDE 2007 would be held in Slovenia. Regional Communications Manager Peter Stephens from the World Bank Singapore Office also joined the session via videoconference to convey his appreciation for the ABCDE, which set the stage for the Bank’s annual meetings coming up in Singapore.

•••

[ABCDE]( http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTDECABCTOK2006/0,,menuPK:1869561~pagePK:64168427~piPK:64168435~theSitePK:1869548,00.html)

Monday, May 29th, 2006

Dialogue with Asian CSOs on Lessons Learned on Infrastructure

Four Asian Sites Join Inaugural Session in Tokyo with President Wolfowitz and Vice President Sierra

Japanese Civil Society Groups meet World Bank President Wolfowitz before the Regional CSO Dialogue at the Tokyo Development Learning Center. Photo: World Bank/Ken Katsurayama.

"We'd like to know what you think about our infrastructure initiatives, and what we should be doing differently to reduce poverty", said World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz in his opening remarks at the Bank's "Dialogue with Asian CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) on Lessons Learned on Infrastructure". "Civil society groups such as yours have an important role to play in service delivery, and in holding governments and donor agencies accountable for results"

Held at the TDLC on May 29, 2006, Mr. Wolfowitz and Bank Vice President for Infrastructure Kathy Sierra spoke to civil society members assembled in Tokyo as well as Hanoi, Bangkok, Canberra and Jakarta connecting via videoconference through the GDLN. Mr. Wolfowitz and Ms. Sierra are in Tokyo for the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE), organized this year for the first time in East Asia under the theme "Rethinking Infrastructure".

The basis for discussion was a January 2006 report commissioned by the President titled "Infrastructure: Lessons Learned from the Last Two Decades of World Bank Engagement". Ms. Sierra presented 5 key lessons drawn from the study, including balancing growth with access for the poor, engaging the entire spectrum of public-private solutions, confronting corruption decisively, and the basics of project preparation and appraisal. Also highlighted was the need to design projects so that they assess social and environmental impact "from the beginning, not as an afterthought".

The event marked the inaugural session in a series of regional dialogues planned to elicit feedback from CSOs on the report as the Bank prepares to scale up lending for infrastructure.

Discussions prompted by CSO members from 5 sites covered the full spectrum of relevant issues, from private sector involvement to lack of connections, corruption and monitoring, operation as well as scalability, reflecting the complex nature of infrastructure development.

The need for "soft" or "social" infrastructure, such as courts, information systems etc., was raised frequently. "They are clearly public sector investments that deserve attention, but perhaps they should be thought of under governance" responded Mr. Wolfowitz.

When confronted with cases of corruption regarding infrastructure projects in Indonesia, Mr. Wolfowitz concurred, sharing an example in the 1990s involving electricity provided by private companies, contributing to what was referred to as a "high cost economy" in Indonesia".

A participant from Tokyo pointed to the lack of consideration for disability in the study. Ms. Sierra reassured the audience that disability and inclusion were being examined, and would be included in the final report.

In closing the session, Ms. Sierra asked participants to "think it through, and don't go easy on us. Give us real-time feedback and we will be able to lift people out of poverty".

•••

World Bank ABCDE Tokyo 2006
Audio/video: Wolfowitz Visits Japan

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006

ILO Report on Child Labour 2006

Tokyo and Geneva Connect to Discuss New Trends and Issues

A new global report on child labour launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) was the topic of a videoconference held on May 23, 2006 connecting ILO Headquarters in Geneva and the TDLC. Organized by the ILO Office in Japan, over 20 participants including members of NGOs gathered at the TDLC to listen to new findings and discuss common issues.

This report is the second of its kind issued by the ILO. According to new estimates, the number of child labourers globally has fallen by 11 % over the last four years. The sharpest decline was in the area of hazardous work by children, which saw a reduction of 26%. Opening the session, ILO Director General Juan Somavia noted in a recorded message that these results represented "a story of dignity and hope", and emphasized that "It is time to take our work to the next level". The report sets out the goal of eliminating the worst forms of child labour in the next ten years.

From Geneva, members of the ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) gave a presentation on the new report, explaining trends and ongoing efforts to meet ILO targets. IPEC commenced work in 1992 with the overall goal of the progressive elimination of child labour through strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem. A question and answer session between Geneva and Tokyo followed the presentation, focusing on the role of developed countries, efforts to counter the related issue of HIV/AIDS, and the significance of universal education.

•••

ILO/IPEC

Friday, April 21st, 2006

World Bank, JANARD Hold Community Driven Development Workshop

Japanese NGOs, Asia Foundation Representatives Discuss Differing Approaches

"Mobilizing Rural Community and Stakeholders", a workshop on Community Driven Development (CDD) organized by the World Bank Tokyo Office and JANARD was held at the TDLC on April 21,2006. The third session in the series brought together Japanese NGOs and representatives from the Asia Foundation to exchange views on their experience in community development projects.

The session began with a presentation by the 21st Century Association's Mr. Yuta Morikawa regarding an educational assistance project in rural Mindoro, the Philippines. Mr. Masaharu Saito of Peace Winds Japan talked about their efforts in Afghanistan, including community based projects on water supply, the empowerment of women, and agriculture.

From the Asia Foundation, Country Representative for Indonesia Mr. Douglas Ramage gave a report on the impact of political changes on CDD projects. With rapid de-centralization of government, the Foundation focuses on capacity building for local NGOs on advising local governments on budget allocation and monitoring them on spending to reduce corruption. Country Representative for Afghanistan Mr.Jon Summers explained that in Afghanistan, emphasis was on the re-established center of government, highlighting the need to work with partners through the constitutional process.

To summarize, Mr.Andrew Parker, Senior Rural Development Officer from the World Bank Manila Office joined the session via videoconference, and pointed out that CDD "is a way to bridge the broader agenda that organizations like the Asia Foundation and the World Bank focus on, with local efforts by NGOs". Mr. Parker also emphasized the difference between community based development and community driven development, the latter referring to the community as the actual force which drives the process.

Reflecting on the session, TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui noted that videoconferencing made it possible for NGOs and policymakers to convene regardless of distance and space, and introduced the Asia Foundation and their human trafficking program as one innovative example.

•••

Asia Foundation

Friday, March 31st, 2006

TDLC Becomes Official Collaborator for “Nissan Leadership Program for Innovative Engineers&#82

## Videoconference Seminars to Expand Participants’ Network ##

The TDLC is pleased to announce that it has become the official collaborator for an innovative new venture supported by the Nissan Science Foundation: The Nissan Leadership Program for Innovative Engineers (Nissan LPIE). This program was announced on March 27, 2006, by Nissan CEO and Chairman of the Foundation Mr. Carlos Ghosn.

The Nissan LPIE aims to nurture global leaders with backgrounds in natural science, capable of creating next-generation business models through a profound understanding of science and technology and its relationship to diverse social needs. This rests on the belief that business development in the 21st century must overcome constraints such as environment and energy to provide a safe and sustainable society with a high regard for quality-of-life values. The LPIE will draw on two faculties of engineering from Japan’s most prestigious universities -Tokyo University and Kyoto University. Dr. Sawako Takeuchi, Kyoto University Professor, will serve as Project Director. The Nissan Science Foundation was established in 1974 and provides grants for research in the field of natural science.

Within the program, the TDLC will provide GDLN services to organize videoconference seminars connecting Japan with Asia and other regions, enabling interactive discussions between participants and distinguished leaders in business and society. The TDLC hopes this will be an eye-opening experience for participants that will help expand their network to include developing countries and the World Bank, as well as deepen their understanding of global issues.

From the GDLN and World Bank perspective, the following points are of particular value:

• Establishment of a triangular cooperative relationship bringing together a private foundation, academicians and universities, and the GDLN
• Organizational collaboration with the faculties of engineering of renowned Japanese universities, which have abundant technical resources - on environment, infrastructure, water, disaster management, etc -that are relevant to development
• Innovative nature of the program focusing on the global use of natural science to address the ‘sustainability and humanity’ of societies

Working closely with the Nissan Science Foundation as well as Dr. Takeuchi, the TDLC will explore areas for collaboration in subsequent years where the GDLN can further contribute to the enrichment of the program.

•••

[Nissan LPIE](http://www.nissan-lpie.org/en/objective/index.html)

Thursday, March 30th, 2006

World Bank East Asia Update Delivered by Videoconference

Regional Sites Connect for Lively Question and Answer Session

The World Bank's latest East Asia Update was delivered on March 30, 2006 with Mr.Homi Kharas, Chief Economist for East Asia and Pacific speaking via video conference from Sydney. Connected to hear his report were the TDLC as well as sites in Canberra, Singapore and Phnom Penh, where economists, journalists and academics gathered for a lively question and answer session following the report. Manila was also connected as an observer.

Mr.Kharas began by painting a very robust picture of the region's economic performance in 2005, with broad based growth for the second year in a row, exceeding 4 % in every country except Timor-Leste. The volume of trade was strong, with East Asia now surpassing Europe as the region most open for trade in the world. A soft spot, though, was investment, a result of rising oil prices and interest rates.

"One healthy sign", said Mr.Kharas, "is that productivity gains by innovation has begun to drive growth. This creates the foundation for a longer, sustained recovery". In the past, growth in East Asia tended to be driven by investment.

"What is the impact of Asian growth on the rest of the world, both positive and negative, including South Asia and Africa?" was one of the questions raised from Tokyo. Mr.Kharas summarized it as "enormously positive", not only by creating direct demand, but more importantly, as an inspirational development success story.

The East Asia Update also focused on climate change, noting that rapid growth also meant fast growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the region. It urged countries to adopt policies to promote greater energy efficiency and conservation.

•••

World Bank East Asia Update

Wednesday, March 29th, 2006

World Bank Public Seminar: Institutional Foundations for Sound Finance in Developing Countries

Manager of Financial Management John Hegarty speaks on the Importance of Financial Reporting

Mr. John Hegarty, Manager of Financial Management for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank spoke on "Institutional Foundations for Sound Finance in Developing Countries: The Importance of Financial Reporting" at a WB Public Seminar held on March 29, 2006. Over 50 participants gathered at the TDLC with Kobe University and Hiroshima University joining the session via videoconference.

Mr. Yoshimura, Mr. Hegarty, Mr. Ariyoshi, Mr. Wakita, Mr. Shikibu

Mr.Hegarty was Secretary General of the Federation des Experts Comptables Europeens before joining the Bank, where he is responsible for fostering the development of financial management capacity. At the Seminar, he pointed to the lessons learned from the East Asia financial crisis of the 90s, highlighting the importance of robust financial reporting. With its mission of poverty reduction, Mr. Hegarty stressed that the Bank was an advocate of improved standards and compliance.

Prior to the presentation, Mr.Yoshio Okubo, Executive Director for Japan at the Bank connected from Washington to open the session. Mr.Akira Akiyoshi, Director of the Asia Pacific Regional Office, IMF, Mr.Yoshikazu Wakita, Commissioner of Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board, Mr.Toru Shikibu, Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, Financial Services Agency also participated as commentators. The Seminar was moderated by Mr. Yukio Yoshimura, WB Vice President and Special Representative for Japan.

•••

World Bank

Monday, March 27th, 2006

Stakeholders in Japan and the Philippines Discuss CDM Projects

OECC Sponsors Videoconference to Accelerate Kyoto Protocol Initiatives

Prospects for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the Philippines became the focus of attention at a videoconference connecting Tokyo and Manila on March 27, 2006. The full spectrum of relevant government and private sector organizations in Japan including the Ministry of Environment, JICA, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) gathered at the TDLC for a rare opportunity to hold an interactive discussion among stakeholders on opportunities for cooperation in the Philippines.

The videoconference was sponsored by the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC), Secretariat for the Kyoto Mechanisms Information Platform, and the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau. The TDLC coordinated the technical aspects of the event which brought together over 60 participants from both countries.

With OECC Researcher Mr. Makoto Kato moderating from Tokyo, speakers in Tokyo first described the Japan Kyoto Mechanisms Acceleration (JKAP) Program, initiated by the government and related agencies to assist with information dissemination, capacity building, business matching etc., for effective application of the Kyoto Mechanism. The second session was devoted to CDM information exchange between Japanese and Filipino stakeholders, with presentations from Manila on specific projects regarding energy efficiency for power utilities, wind power and hydroelectric power.

The OECC hopes that facilitating a forum for Japanese organizations interested in investing in CDM projects in the Philippines, and Filipino organizations looking to implement CDM projects with Japanese assistance, will help achieve emission reducing activities with greater efficiency. The TDLC supports such efforts for collaboration across borders.

•••

Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center
Kyoto Mechanism Information Platform

Sunday, March 26th, 2006

Japan Institute of Certified Public Accountants Holds First Videoconference Seminar

8 Countries in East Asia Connect for Experience Sharing

"An International Accounting Seminar on Public Sector Issues" was held by the Japan Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) on March 24,2006. Organized in conjunction with a meeting of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) held in Tokyo, JICPA incorporated videoconferencing for the first time, connecting Tokyo with Mongolia, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

With attendance reaching 160 in Tokyo, IPSASB Chair Mr. Phillippe Adhemar gave an introduction of the IPSASB's activities, followed by three presentations on public sector accounting issues by representatives from Japan, the U.S.., and France.

Accounting has great implications for developing countries, where there is a strong need for capacity building and infrastructure in this field. In recognition, the TDLC provided technical assistance for the seminar, and hopes to support JICPA's efforts in the future as a valuable opportunity for development learning.

•••

JICPA
IPSASB

Friday, March 24th, 2006

Asian Development Youth Forum Convenes Third Videoconference

Students from Tokyo, Hanoi Report on Research Activities

The Asian Development Youth Forum, an organization of students based in Tokyo interested in development issues, held its third videoconference on March 24, 2006, facilitating exchanges between student counterparts in Japan and Vietnam.

The seminar, which connected Tokyo and Hanoi, began with ADYF reporting on its activities, including a field trip to Vietnam earlier in the month. Vietnamese students gave an introduction of themselves, followed by a presentation on an ADYF research project regarding the evolving job market in Vietnam and the choices facing Vietnamese students as they pursue their careers.

ADYF members share a strong belief that study should not be confined to the classroom, and is making an effort to combine field trips, videoconferencing and other methods to create a new model for intellectual exchange.

•••

Wednesday, March 15th, 2006

The World Bank’s John Wilson on APEC’s Role in Trade Liberalization

WB Lead Economist John Wilson Gives Video Presentation at APEC International Symposium

Mr. John Wilson, the World Bank's Lead Economist for the Development Research Group, gave a video presentation titled "APEC's Role in Trade Liberalization" contributing to discussions at an APEC International Symposium on the "Catalytic Role of the APEC Process: Behind the Border, Beyond the Bogor Goals".

Held on March 14-15, 2006 at Chiba University, the Symposium was sponsored by the University and APEC to clarify the organization's institutional role following changes in economic circumstances as a result of the WTO Doha Rounds. In order to achieve the Bogor goals to further free and open trade and investment, the symposium examined various "vehicles" such as APEC's Individual Action Plan, Collective Action Plan, bilateral free trade agreements and "behind the border actions" that APEC has been using, and explored roadmaps for their integration.

With extensive experience in development trade policy issues, Mr. Wilson's presentation was given on Day 2 as part of Session Four : "Roadmap" beyond the Bogor Goals.

•••

APEC
Chiba University Symposium page and video

Wednesday, March 8th, 2006

APO Conducts Seminar on Toyota Production System

Training via Videoconference Gains Recognition and Funding for Region-wide Dissemination

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) conducted a 3-day seminar on the Toyota Production System (TPS) from March 6-8, 2006. This program is a culmination of cooperative efforts between the APO and the TDLC since 2004 to incorporate GDLN videoconferencing services into its training programs, and is fully funded by the APO.

The first of 3 phases, national productivity organizations in Mongolia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam connected via the GDLN. The APO will conduct the same course in May and August with different members participating, resulting in an Asia-wide program spanning 13 countries. There is great interest in the Toyota Production System within the region, where competition in manufacturing is particularly intense. The seminar aims to enable participants to implement this knowledge to suit their own production processes.

At the seminar, two speakers, Mr.Hisazumi Matsuzaki, Management Consultant, as well as Meijo Process Management Institute President and Meijo University Professor, Dr.Makoto Kawada, gave a total of 9 lectures over 3 days at the TDLC.

The seminar provided for group discussions within each connecting site at the conclusion of each day's session. Participants talked about questions such as what working in a factory means to you, or whether to increase or decrease inventory, and presented their views via videoconference to take questions. The TDLC is also providing video editing services of the lectures for use as future training programs.

Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand will take part in the second phase of the seminar which runs in May. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate in the third phase to be given in August.

•••

APO

Thursday, March 2nd, 2006

JICA-Net Workshop “How to Moderate and Present in Videoconference”

## TDLC Instructional Designer Jiping Zhang Facilitates Workshop ##

A JICA-Net workshop “How to Moderate and Present in Videoconference” sponsored by JICA Tokyo International Center was held on March 2, 2006, connecting JICA Tokyo, JICA Headquarters and JICA Okinawa by videoconference. TDLC Instructional Designer Jiping Zhang facilitated the workshop as part of a program sharing effort envisioned in a cooperation agreement between the TDLC and JICA-Net. The workshop was first conducted on July 1 2005 at the TDLC, and was customized to suit JICA needs.

About 15 participants responsible for training activities at JICA joined the workshop to pursue 3 goals: become familiar with videoconferencing facilities and technologies, share information on preparations necessary to conduct a videoconference, enhance moderation and presentation skills.

Following a lecture by the facilitator, a workshop was held where presentations simulating a facilitator’s role in a videoconference session were recorded and replayed. Many said the workshop was helpful, giving them an opportunity to actually see their presentation. Others said they realized the importance of preparatory work to conduct a successful conference. The TDLC will continue to provide support to JICA Tokyo so that its instructional design know-how can be made available to a wider audience.

The TDLC works to utilize its resources on instructional design when creating partnership programs to achieve greater effectiveness.

•••

[JICA-Net](http://jica-net.jica.go.jp/en2/index.html)

Friday, February 10th, 2006

The TDLC Issues E-newsletter No.2

## Feature Article on World Bank GDLN and JICA-Net Cooperation ##

The TDLC has issued its second e-newsletter featuring GDLN and JICA-Net Cooperation. The two networks combined forces in November 2004 to create the largest development learning network in the world. The newsletter also brings you highlights from the WB’s Africa mission to Tokyo and other recent events at the TDLC.

[Read the latest edition](http://www.jointokyo.org/e-news/archives/en/2006/02_tdlc_enews_en.html)

[Click here to subscribe](http://jointokyo.org/e-news/subscribe_en.html)

Thursday, February 9th, 2006

Japanese Cleft Palate Foundation to Hold Photography Exhibit & Coffee Hour

The Japanese Cleft Palate Foundation (JCPF), a TDLC partner, will hold a photography exhibit titled “International Medical Cooperation in Asia - Bringing Smiles to Children” in collaboration with the World Bank’s Public Information Center (PIC) from February 13 - 24, 2006.

JCPF has worked in Vietnam, Mongolia and Myanmar to give treatment to children born with cleft palate. The organization has also incorporated videoconferencing with the TDLC to promote knowledge sharing and training programs. The exhibit will feature the JCPF’s work in international medical cooperation.

In addition, on February 17, from 18:30 to 20:00, JCPF will hold a coffee hour and Director Nagato Natsume will give a presentation on the organization’s work. Mr.Koichi Omori, Communications Officer, WB Tokyo Office will serve as commentator.

Both events will be held at PIC, open daily from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. at Fukoku Seimei Building 1st Floor, 2-2-2 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. If you wish to attend the coffee hour, please send your name, organization and contact details to ptokyo@worldbank.org.

Monday, January 30th, 2006

JICA-Net Seminar Learning Program Given at TDLC

## GDLN, JICA-Net Cooperation Agreement Facilitates Program Sharing ##

A JICA-Net Seminar sponsored by JICA Tokyo was held on January 30,2006 connecting JICA Tokyo with JICA Headquarters and the TDLC. The seminar, titled “Introducing the Active Learning Method for Better Training Programs - What is the key to learning for personal development?” is part of a program sharing effort between the GDLN and JICA-Net envisioned in the cooperation agreement signed between the two networks in November 2004.

The seminar aimed to introduce “active learning” to participants, a principle gaining attention in training and e-learning circles. About 50 practitioners from JICA and other educational and training institutions joined the workshop via video conference, incorporating interactive lessons given by Active Learning Co. President Takuya Hane.

Participants showed great interest in teaching and learning methodologies proposed by Mr. Hane, and expressed their desire to implement them in their own training programs.

The TDLC will assist partners raise the effectiveness of their programs by providing instructional design and other technological advice.

•••

[JICA-Net](http://jointokyo.org/en/programs/jica/)

Monday, January 16th, 2006

Disaster Management in Afghanistan

Experts from Tokyo, Delhi Share Experiences to Support Newly Developed National Plan

Afghanistan is a country which is prone to disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, sandstorms and floods. But prolonged war has destroyed its capacity for damage control and management.

Finally, however, a National Disaster Management Plan has been developed by the Department for Disaster Preparedness (DDP), and a video conference was held among experts on January 16, 2006 to discuss the plan, connecting the TDLC, Kabul and Delhi.

The conference was organized by Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Afghanistan's DDP, and the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS). The Disaster Management Plan received technical assistance from SEEDS as well as financial support from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA). It is now being disseminated at the national and sub-national levels through a UNAMA funded project.

25 participants from various sectors of government, NGOs, academics, UN and donor agencies participated in the conference to share information regarding the current status of disaster management in Afghanistan as well as its direction in the future, and to learn from experts in India and Japan about their experiences.

The conference was moderated by Professor Rajib Shaw of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies at Kyoto University. Dr. R. Kuberan of SEEDS took the lead in Kabul, and Mr. Manu Gupta, Director of SEEDS, presided in Delhi. After the General Director of DDP opened the conference with introductory remarks from Kabul, several presentations were made on the current status of disaster management, and development of the national disaster management plan in Afghanistan. From India, senior government officials shared the experiences of past disasters including the reconstruction processes. Cabinet office representative in Tokyo offered Japanese experiences.

The following conclusions were reached as priority areas of disaster management in Afghanistan:

• Afghanistan needs a program as a vehicle for horizontal synergies at different levels of government, from national to local
• Pro-active risk sharing is required on national disaster day as well as regular public drills
• Multi-stakeholder cooperation is necessary in the national disaster management commission, incorporating academics, the banking sector, civil society groups and media
• Inventory of resources for immediate emergency operations should be an important element of the implementation of the disaster management plan
• Community based risk reduction measures are to be a pillar of operations on disaster management. In this regard, GOLFRE (Global Open Learning Forum for Risk Education) and SEEDS can be a good vehicle
• Future work in Afghanistan should focus on urban vulnerability reduction and drought mitigation, climate change adaptation, in addition to the on-going work on earthquake and other disasters

•••

SEEDS
UNAMA
GOLFRE

Wednesday, January 11th, 2006

New Prospects for Private Sector Development in Africa

Panelists Engage in Discussion to Promote Investment

"New Prospects for Private Sector Development in Africa", a public seminar organized by the World Bank Group and JETRO Institute of Developing Economies, was held at the TDLC on January 11,2006 with an audience of over 100 from development organizations, academia, government, media and the private sector. In addition to the panel in Tokyo, the Bank's South Africa Office was connected via video conference to bring local views into the discussion.

Left to right: Mr. Shigehiro Oba, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.; Mr. John Page, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa; Mr. Gobind Nankani, World Bank Vice President for Africa; Mr. Babatunde Onitiri, IFC Country Manager for Angola and Mozambique; Mr. Adamu Aliyu, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Japan

An experience sharing session designed to highlight trade and investment opportunities in Africa, discussions shed light on the continent in a new, positive mood, characterized by the slogan "Africa on the move". The seminar is part of an effort by the World Bank and the Japan to accelerate development activities in Africa. The Bank places a high priority on the region, and the Japanese government has pledged to double its ODA in the next 3 years.

Mr.Gobind Nankani, the World Bank's regional Vice President for Africa who is visiting Tokyo as head of the Bank Group's Africa Mission to Japan, opened the seminar by emphasizing the pivotal role of the private sector in realizing economic growth and poverty reduction. Mr.Nankani described the WBG's efforts to support African countries, touching on the results-oriented "Africa Action Plan".

The panel discussion, moderated by Mr.John Page, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa, began with a presentation by Mr.Babatunde Onitiri, IFC Country Manager for Angola and Mozambique on the IFC's pro-active Africa Strategy. Mr.Onitiri explained how investment had gone up after moving the majority of staff from Washington D.C. to the field.

Mr.Adamu Aliyu, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Japan, expressed regrets that one of the reasons for the "backwardness of Africa" was a heavy reliance on the wealth of national governments and negligence of the private sector, and reassured potential investors that the climate had improved, with "most African countries ready to guarantee investments".

The seminar was attended by a standing-room-only audience of more thaqn 100 people from development organizations, academia, government, media organizations, and the private sector

From the private sector, Mr.Shigehiro Oba, Director and Managing Executive Officer and President of the Agricultural Chemicals Sector at Sumitomo Chemical Co.Ltd discussed the company's role in the WHO's Roll Back Malaria Campaign, pointing out that in their case, it had been possible to balance social responsibility and profit motives through the local production of insect nets.

Mr. Katsumi Hirano, Director of the JETRO Johannesburg Center who joined via video conference, made a forceful pitch for the private sector. Based on observations and interviews with business leaders in the region, Mr. Hirano advocated that to produce results, the private sector should take the lead in Africa, with government taking a back-seat role.

A lively discussion followed with questions from the audience regarding the most dynamic sectors for investment, the growing disparity of wealth within Africa, and ways to attract more investment. Mr.Nankani and panelists suggested that there was a need to provide more inspiring stories about Africa on a continual basis to change perceptions and encourage investor confidence. The TDLC hopes to create opportunities and support activities to further such communications.

•••

JETRO Institute for Developing Economies

Tuesday, January 10th, 2006

Policy Dialogue on Africa Held for First Time

World Bank and Japanese Government Officials Discuss Strategic Collaboration

The World Bank Group's Africa Mission to Japan, led by World Bank Regional Vice President for Africa Gobind Nankani, and Japanese government officials engaged in high-level policy talks on January 10, 2006 regarding strategic collaboration in Africa.

This is the first time that the Bank and Japan, its second largest shareholder, held consultations on policy regarding the region.

It reflects a common interest shared by the Bank and the Japanese government to accelerate development in Africa, with Bank President Paul Wolfowitz placing a clear priority on the continent and Japan pledging to double its ODA in the next three years. Over 40 participants joined discussions in Tokyo including mission members from the Bank Group and officials from Japan's MoFA, MoF, METI, JBIC and JICA.

Opening the dialogue held at the TDLC, Mr. Nankani emphasized the importance of coordination between donors to support African countries that are "on the move".

Sessions at the dialogue covered ways to increase coordination on a wide range of issues such as infrastructure and regional programs, private sector development and community driven development. Members of the Bank Mission, including Mr .Michel Wormser, Sector Director for Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure in Africa, and Mr. John McIntire, Sector Director for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development in Africa contributed their views, and fielded questions from Japanese counterparts.

Following a presentation by Mr. John Page, chief economist for Africa, a video conference was incorporated for discussions on the Japan-World Bank partnership linking Tanzania and Tokyo, enabling Bank and Japanese country teams in Darussalam to share local perspectives on requirements for working together.

The TDLC supports communication activities to facilitate better coordination between development partners, and will continue to promote capacity enhancement in Africa.

Wednesday, December 14th, 2005

Smelly Streets? No More

Kitakyushu-city Tackles Solid Waste in Asia with TDLC

If you've ever gone for a walk in a hot, bustling Asian city, you'll appreciate what a crucial issue solid waste management is for its inhabitants. Kitakyushu-city, situated in southern Japan and known for its efforts to promote environmental cooperation, has embarked on a crusade to tackle garbage in Asia by transferring composting expertise to the region.

A community member from Surabaya demonstrates the composting procedure

Instead of the conventional method, where experts from Japan would travel to train local leaders, the GDLN has proved particularly effective in this endeavor, as distance seminars allow participants from all sectors - government, educational institutions, NGOs and community members - to interact directly with each other. "This helps to foster a cooperative environment which is essential for any local waste management project to succeed" say Kitakyushu officials.

"Where can you get the microorganisms to start composting?" "How much time does it take, and isn't there a risk of diseases?" The International Distance Seminar on Transferring Composting Technology, held on December 14, 2005, connected over 80 participants in Tokyo, Kitakyushu, Jakarta and Bangkok. Organized by Kitakyushu and the Tokyo Development Learning Center, a lively discussion followed presentations from NGO and community members in Kitakyushu as well as Surabaya, Indonesia. Members brought in the actual containers and materials used to demonstrate the composting process.

Kitakyushu, an industrial city notorious for its serious pollution problems, has successfully turned around its reputation by adopting eco-friendly policies. It has won international recognition including the UN's Global 500 Award for its efforts to reach out across borders to share its pollution control technology and experience. Composting is one initiative which has taken root in the city, blossoming into community projects complete with Flower Festivals to encourage cultivation with locally produced compost.

Working to network with Asian cities, Kitakyushu first brought its composting know-how to Surabaya, adapting methods to suit local conditions. With over 1200 households participating to date, the program has proved a huge success, owing largely to composting methods recommended by Kitakyushu which provided a safe, inexpensive and effective way to manage solid waste without unpleasant odors or disease.

In light of Surabaya's success, Bangkok, where kitchen refuse accounts for 50% of all waste, requested help from Kitakyushu - and with advice from the TDLC, which has a partnership agreement with Kitakyushu, the seminar was organized to introduce the idea to Bangkok. As a result of the session, not only Bangkok, but other Indonesian cities have expressed a specific interest in starting their own composting project. Strongly motivated, one community leader from western Jakarta bought a composting container immediately after the seminar to test it in his community. The TDLC and Kitakyushu hope to produce a learning program based on the seminar for wider distribution.

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Kitakyushu

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005

TDLC Launches E-newsletter

The TDLC is pleased to announce the launch of bimonthly e-newsletter. The newsletter will feature GDLN business proposals as well as case studies of our partner’s programs that have been developed with the TDLC. You will also be updated with the latest on technical improvements at our Center and enhancements of our services. We can show you the full range of possibilities that the GDLN can offer to change the way you pursue your development agenda and communicate with your beneficiaries.

Visit the [subscription page](http://www.jointokyo.org/e-news/subscribe_en.html) to sign up.

Those preferring to receive updates via RSS can subscribe to our [e-news feed here](http://www.jointokyo.org/e-news/feeds/index_en.xml).

Thursday, November 10th, 2005

JICA-Net Seminars to be Delivered to Africa

## TDLC and JICA Collaborate to Promote Africa-Asia Knowledge Sharing ##

JICA and the TDLC have been promoting knowledge sharing between Asia and Africa through its delivery of JICA-Net Seminars to Africa. In response to the popularity of the first series, given in October 2005, a second series of 4 lectures will be conducted in December 2005.

Topics that will be covered are (a) Entrepreneur Seminar-Success Story of Venture in Japan, (b)Seminar for Intellectual Property Rights (c)Seminar on Control of Water Supply Amount and (d)Seminar on Information Security.

Based on a cooperation agreement between JICA-Net and GDLN signed in November 2004, the series was first offered to GDLN Centers in the East Asia Pacific region. The TDLC found that there was a demand for these programs in Africa as well, opening up an opportunity for cross region knowledge sharing. Interest in the Asian economic development experience is growing in Africa, specifically in issues such as quality management and increasing productivity. GDLN Centers in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda participated in the first series.

JICA-Net is a network set up by JICA to implement distance technical cooperation. A new approach to Japan’s international cooperation effort, it utilizes video conferencing, multimedia, the internet and other information communication technologies to compliment JICA operations. JICA-Net and the GDLN combined form the world’s largest development learning network with a reach of 119 cities in 84 countries. The TDLC facilitates this network and collaborates to promote knowledge sharing activities through program development and content delivery for poverty reduction and sustainable economic development.

•••

[JICA-Net](http://www.jica.go.jp/english/global/info/jicanet.html)

Wednesday, October 12th, 2005

East Asia Country Office and Partners Dialogue with President Wolfowitz

## 14 Sites Connect with TDLC for discussions with President Wolfowitz during his trip to Japan ##

President Wolfowitz and EAP Vice President Jamil Kassum

President Paul Wolfowitz, on his first visit to Japan as president, held an interactive dialogue with staff from 4 East Asia country offices and guests on October 12 before leaving for China, the next leg of his 2 week trip. Speaking from the Tokyo Development Learning Center, Mr.Wolfowitz connected to Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Hanoi via the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) and was observed widely by 9 World Bank offices and GDLN distance learning centers in the East Asia Pacific and South Asia regions.

President Wolfowitz began by expressing his appreciation for Mr. Jamil Kassum, EAP Vice President and moderator of the dialogue, who will be leaving the Bank after over 30 years of distinguished service.

Speaking about Asia, Mr. Wolfowitz pointed out that while there is still a lot of poverty, the last 20 years have seen the creation of more wealth in the region for more people on a larger scale than at any time in human history.

“What is terrific about the World Bank relationship in East Asia is that we’re not only able to provide advice and knowledge and assistance, we’re also able to learn a lot from the successful experience of Asian countries. Increasingly, I hope we can transfer some of that successful learning, particularly to Sub-Saharan Africa.”

A key development partner in Asia, ASEAN Secretary General Mr.Ong Keng Yong joined the video conference as Guest of Honor from Manila. Mr.Ong identified trade and services, technology, and engaging civil society as areas where he hoped to work with the World Bank and learn from its expertise. 

“Harnessing technology is critical for us, as member countries are still grappling with how to use IT and take advantage of the internet. We hope to do more with the World Bank, especially the GDLN and the videoconferencing arrangement that we now see. We have benefited quite a lot from this” said Mr.Ong.

Staff members and guests assembled at the 4 sites had questions and comments on a wide range of subjects for the President. On community driven development, Mr.Wolfowitz touted it as an important part of strengthening civil society and the private sector, and expressed hopes that it would help achieve transparency and accountability on how funds are expended. Mr.Wolfowitz noted that while such programs may cost more, it was important to look at what had been achieved as well.

Mr.Wolfowitz stressed the importance of World Bank engagement with middle income countries focusing on exchanging knowledge. The challenge here, he said, is to help these countries tackle the significant poverty problems that still exist, and the World Bank’s expertise needed to help move growth more rapidly to poor elements of the population.

•••

[The World Bank](http://www.worldbank.org)

[GDLN](http://www.gdln.org)

World Bank President Wolfowitz meets with JICA President Ogata

## Discussions focus on Africa, decentralization, aid coordination and greater institutional collaboration ##

During his first official visit to Japan, President Wolfowitz met with JICA President Mrs. Sadako Ogata on October 12, 2005, to discuss areas where the World Bank could increase collaboration with JICA. Africa was at the top of the agenda, as Wolfowitz has indicated that the region is his primary priority for the World Bank. Ogata stressed that JICA had been paying special attention to Africa following the Japanese government’s announcement that it would double ODA to Africa over the next 3 years. JICA is now developing its own assistance plan and Mrs. Ogata welcomed close collaboration with the World Bank as joint priorities for assistance are established. Wolfowitz introduced the World Bank’s new [Action Plan for Africa]( http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:20687937~menuPK:258649~pagePK:146736~piPK:226340~theSitePK:258644,00.html) and proposed JICA to collaborate with the World Bank in its implementation. Wolfowitz has instructed his African regional management team to follow up directly with JICA in the months ahead to discuss joint opportunities for scaling up operational collaboration.

Discussions also focused on joint World Bank and JICA knowledge-sharing and research activities, especially the collaboration between JICA-Net and the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC). Ogata expressed considerable satisfaction about progress and underlined the value of this satellite-linked regional and global communication tool which had the potential to transform ways of doing business.

Wolfowitz and Ogata also exchanged experiences on coordinating activities between international and regional organizations, as well as the decentralization experience of JICA and the World Bank. They agreed that further decentralization and a higher level of coordination on the ground will be critical to development success, not only in Africa, but across the developing world.

•••

[The World Bank](http://www.worldbank.org) 
[JICA](http://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html)

Tuesday, October 11th, 2005

“A valuable tool for development”

President Paul Wolfowitz tours the Tokyo Development Learning Center

From left: Colin Lonergan, TDLC Operations Manager; Paul Wolfowitz; Yukio Yoshimura, Vice President and Special Representative to Japan; Ryu Fukui, TDLC Partnership and Programs Manager

"There's no question that one of the most valuable tools for development is giving people information about things that work, and don't work. Hopefully we can do more with this technology than we've been able to do in the past" said World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz after touring the Tokyo Development Learning Center on October 11, 2005.

"The World Bank's mission is to help move that kind of information from one part of the world to another. Obviously, this technology allows you to do that without the enormous expense of transporting people".

Mr. Wolfowitz is visiting Japan for the first time as president, his first stop on a two week tour of Asia and Europe.

After meeting World Bank group staff members at the TDLC over coffee, Mr. Wolfowitz was given a demonstration of the center's hi-tech facilities, including a chromakey screen allowing TV style presentations. Marveling at the reach of the Global Development Learning Network connecting over 100 sites, he emphasized the importance of the power of inspiration and talked about a woman from a poor village that he had encountered on a visit to Pakistan.

"I asked her whether Pakistan could be successful at development, and she said, why not, the Japanese did it, the Chinese did it, why can't we do it? This ability to be inspired by the example of other people is important. If we can use technology like this to show people what works, I think it's half the job".

Wednesday, August 24th, 2005

Japan’s ODA Task Force Seminar Begins

Programs Designed to Strengthen Policy Making Capacity

How can development assistance be carried out incorporating "human security" perspectives to meet Millenium Development Goals? Questions such as this prompted a lively discussion between Bolivia and Tokyo during the first distance seminar for Japan's ODA task force, held on August 24, 2005. The JICA office in Bolivia and the TDLC were connected, bringing together speakers in Tokyo with participants in Bolivia including Japanese Embassy and JICA staff members who contributed first hand knowledge of Bolivia's development assistance needs.

The distance seminar was organized by the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID), which conducts various training programs for Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ODA task force, established in 2003 by the Ministry and active in over 60 countries, is comprised of Embassy, JICA and JBIC staff members who are tasked with discovering and analyzing local assistance needs. The seminar was designed to help strengthen the task forces's policy making and implementation functions.

Following opening remarks by the Japanese Ambassador to Bolivia, Mr. Mitsunori Shirakawa, Mr.Takuma Momoi, Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Bolivia, gave a presentation on ODA policy talks with the Bolivian government and efforts to meet Millenium Development Goals with a "human security" perspective. From Tokyo, Mr. Kiyoshi Wada (Global Issues Department, Global Issues Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr.Koji Makino( Human Security Group, Planning and Coordination Division, JICA), and Mr. Naoto Noda (Hito no Mori) spoke from their experiences with "human security" issues. Discussions focused on both the top down and bottom up approach to human security, and participants in Bolivia reported that the Bolivian government had included the concept in its national development strategy for 2005.

According to FASID, several more ODA task force distance seminars are planned for the next year, connecting countries such as Bolivia and Bangladesh. FASID plans to keep a record of seminars and relevant documents on their website, which will be accessible to other task forces around the world.

•••

FASID
JICA
Foreign Ministry of Japan

Friday, July 29th, 2005

Tokyo, Hanoi Students Hold Second Video Conference

## Plans Discussed for Joint Field Trip in Vietnam ##

The Asian Development Youth Forum (ADYF) held its second video conference on July 29, 2005, in collaboration with Vietnamese students in Hanoi, connecting the TDLC in Tokyo with the Vietnam Development Information Center in Hanoi.

About 40 participants from ADYF and supporting groups such as AISEC Japan and JVF-net, a group of Vietnamese students studying in Japan, gathered at the TDLC in Tokyo. Students in Hanoi who have been associated with ADYF activities in Vietnam were introduced at the meeting. Both student groups hope to exchange information about development policy and NGO activities. Members also discussed plans for a joint field trip in Vietnam, scheduled to take place this summer.

With support from the TDLC, ADYF carried out its first video conference with Hanoi in May, 2005, to discuss rural development and environmental policy. Mr. Sensaki, a member of ADYF, looks back on this experience and says, “When you talk to someone face to face via video, you feel like you’ve shared a great deal of time together, even though you’ve never actually met. That’s important when you are working together on the same program”. After the first conference, members found it easier to start communicating with their counterparts in Vietnam by e-mail.

[Asian Development Youth Forum](http://www.adyf.org)

Friday, July 22nd, 2005

Inclusion of Children and People in Welfare and Education

Seisa University Holds Video Conference Connecting Tokyo, Manila

An international video conference on "Inclusion of Children and People in Welfare and Education" was held by Seisa University on July 7, 2005 via the GDLN. Speakers at the TDLC in Tokyo were connected with the Philippines and 6 Seisa study centers across Japan, bringing together approximately 200 participants with backgrounds in education and welfare.

Speakers at the TDLC included President Kaoru Yamaguchi of Seisa University, Dr. Teresta G.Inciong, Director IV of the Bureau of Elementary Education, the Philippines Department of Education, Dr.Yunying Chen, from the China National Institute of Education Research, and Ms.Pramila Balasundaram, Founder-Director of SAMADHAN.

President Yamaguchi reported that in Japan, while special services for the disabled were being provided in public schools at the primary and secondary level, there was still a shortage of professional staff. In the Philippines, Dr.Inciong explained that the government had taken steps to revise laws regarding inclusive education, and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the government and NGOs, local community, as well as parents.

Dr.Chen talked of the need for curriculum reform to provide higher quality inclusive education programs. Ms.Balasundaram introduced the history of education for the disabled in India, and identified poverty, fiscal issues and a lack of understanding within the general public as impediments to inclusion.

Seisa University was founded in 2004 with the goal of providing learning opportunities 'whenever, wherever and by whomever". It specializes in correspondence courses on education, environment and international relations. Many students with disabilities are enrolled. The school uses video conferencing for lectures and internal events, and organized this conference as a new attempt to facilitate an international exchange of information.

•••

Seisa University's English-language brochure (2.6 MB PDF)

Friday, July 8th, 2005

Mayor of Kitakyushu City Visits TDLC

## Reconfirms Kitakyushu City’s commitment to GDLN

Mayor Koichi Sueyoshi of Kitakyushu City visited the TDLC on July 8 where he reconfirmed the city’s commitment to contributing to solutions for environmental issues through the TDLC.

Mayor Sueyoshi spoke with the TDLC’s Partnership and Programs management about how the 2005 Guidelines for Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform from Japan’s Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy is highlighting the importance of developing Japan’s core regions.

These regions are rapidly coming online in terms of videoconferencing capacity and can connect to global development networks like the GDLN. This creates terrific opportunities to unlock the combined eco-knowledge of Japan’s municipalities and to develop knowledge sharing programs that leverage their tremendous expertise to the benefit of developing communities in the region and around the world.

The TDLC looks forward to continued collaboration with Kitakyushu City and to assisting it in its mission of highly effective environmental knowledge transfer.

•••

Kitakyushu City’s [official English website](http://www.city.kitakyushu.jp/~english/)

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

Asia Distance Learning Project Holds 2nd Video Conference

VC Hailed as Effective Tool in Creating Consensus

The Asia Distance Learning Project held its 3rd working level meeting on June 22, 2005, linking 6 major cities including Tokyo, Singapore and Jakarta. The Project chose to utilize video conferencing services provided by the TDLC and JICA-Net for the second consecutive year, in response to positive survey results from last year's meeting. During the one hour session, the video conference was hailed as an effective tool for consensus building, as well as knowledge-sharing within the Asian network.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Shintarou Ishijima, Dean of Faculty of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Participants included representatives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government assembled at the TDLC in Tokyo, as well as administrators and educators in 5 other cities.

From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mr.Masakazu Omura, Senior Director in charge of International Joint Projects, expressed hopes that the Tokyo Metropolitan University, newly created in April 2005, would become the core of a network of universities. Through it, distance learning techniques could be developed by taking advantage of each institution's IT infrastructure and educational environment. The distribution of teaching materials through multimedia, exchange of lectures and symposia, effective use of the video conferencing system to hold symposia, were some of the initiatives being considered by Tokyo for future development.

Participants exchanged opinions regarding the project, praising it as a valuable venture enabling those lacking in human resources and social infrastructure to co-develop programs. Cost sharing and certification were raised as issues for further discussion.

The Asia Distance Learning Project aims to promote a wide range of subjects such as language and IT literacy through distance learning. It is part of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21), whose projects focus on vital issues for Asia in the 21st century including the development of new technology, urban planning and environmental protection. The Project was the first within the ANMC21 network to utilize video conferencing to enhance its work.

•••

Asian Network of Major Cities 21

Tuesday, May 24th, 2005

Lessons from Lychees: Connecting With Vietnam

Asian Development Youth Forum links Tokyo and Hanoi via GDLN

The Asian Development Youth Forum is an association of students from universities in Japan focusing on development issues in Vietnam. ADYF recently inaugurated a series of videoconferences with the Vietnam Development Information Center in preparation for joint study and exchange programs between the two countries.

Mr. Peter McCawley, Dean of ADBI, addresses the conference

Students organised a two-hour session to full houses in Tokyo and Hanoi. The conference heard from students in both countries on rural development issues from a case study in Thanh Tan village, aspects of the tourism industry and foreign visits to Vietnam, and possible transition strategies for Japan and Vietnam.

Joining the proceedings in Tokyo were Professor Tsuneaki Yoshida, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences; Dr. Song-Woo Nam, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Development Bank Institute; and Mr. Ryu Fukui from the TDLC.

In Vietnam the conference was attended by Professor Bui Thi Phuong Lan, Dean of International Studies Department Hanoi University of Foreign Studies; Mr. Nguyen Quang Dy, Senior Advisor, Japan Fund for Public Policy Training; Mr. Klaus Rohland, World Bank Vietnam Country Director; and Mr. Peter McCawley, Dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute.

The TDLC congratulates the Asian Development Youth Forum on its inaugural session, and warmly welcomes the organisation to the GDLN.

•••

Friday, May 20th, 2005

Gender Mainstreaming in Infrastructure Development

The World Bank experience of integrating gender in operations.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation's Sector Strategy Development Department co-organized a videoconference with World Bank ESSD and the TDLC on learning from the World Bank's approach to gender integration of investment projects, particularly infrastructure development.

Washington, Bangkok, and Tokyo connected to raise awareness of gender issues and to share knowledge and experiences these aspects of development operations. The seminar was presented with case studies from Bangladesh and Indonesia.

In Tokyo about 30 representatives from JBIC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) participated. Joining from Washington were Mr. Reidar Kvam from the World Bank, Coordinator for social analysis, Social Development Department; Ms. Wendy Wakeman, the bank's Senior Operations Officer, PREM Gender Unit; Ms. Jessica Hughes, Junior Professional Associate, PREM Gender Unit; and Ms. Rakhi Basu, Transport Specialist at the bank's East Asia Transport Sector Unit. Ms. Gillian M. Brown, Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank's Thailand country office, joined form Bangkok.

JBIC and the TDLC are exploring ways to enhance country-specific operational knowledge sharing, and Mainstreaming Gender in Operations provided an excellent example of the kinds of far-reaching issue-driven discussions taking place via the GDLN.

Wednesday, May 18th, 2005

Africa Day Symposium on Digital Partnership: Hopes and Inspirations from Bandung

GDLN as a bridge between Africa and Asia

Aiko Doden, NHK Senior News Broadcaster, NHK World Network and Goodwill Ambassador to the World Summit on Information Society; Graham Holbrook Fry, UK Ambassador to Japan; Ryu Fukui, Partnerhip and Programs Manager, TDLC

The Africa Day Symposium, organized by the United Nations University and the African Diplomatic Corps and co-sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications, was held at the United Nations University in Tokyo May 18.

The Symposium offers an opportunity for the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo to enter into a genuine dialogue with all concerned groups in Japan, based on a shared commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to the sustained development of Africa. The symposium is also intended to contribute to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference (Indonesia).

The TDLC’s Partnership and Programs Manager Ryu Fukui participated in a panel discussion on “Africa-Asia Digital Partnership” chaired by Aiko Doden, Senior News Broadcaster, NHK World Network, and Goodwill Ambassador to the World Summit on Information Society.

The TDLC’s Ryu Fukui introduces the center and the GDLN to the symposium

Many conference participants were already quite familiar with the Global Development Learning Network, and Mr. Fukui delivered a presentation on the effectiveness of the GDLN and recent TDLC activities. He discussed specific cases of interest to the Africa-Asia digital partnership as well as follow-up proposals arising out of the GDLN’s support of TICAD III.

The Africa Day Symposium this year coincides with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) thematic meeting “Towards the Realization of the Ubiquitous Network Society” organized by the Government of Japan, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations University (UNU) on 16-17 May 2005. The objective of the symposium is to bring to the forefront the importance of promoting digital partnership and of bridging the digital divide, issues which will be addressed at the Second Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Tunis, November 2005.

The opening session of the Symposium heard remarks from Salah-Hannachi, Ambassador of Tunisia to Japan and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Hans van Ginkel, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Rector of The United Nations University, Yoshiro Mori, Former Prime Minister of Japan, Member of the House of Representatives, and President of the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship Association, Ichiro Aisawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union.

The United Nations University has made video of the Symposium available online.

...

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005

21 Government Representatives from 11 Tsunami-Affected Countries Work On Early Warning System Via GD

TDLC and JICA Regional Seminar on Indian Ocean Tsunami Early Warning System March 16 & 17

The Tokyo Development Learning Center and Japan International Cooperation Agency have collaborated on two sessions of the JICA Regional Seminar on Tsunami Early Warning System. The sessions connected with sites in Delhi and Kuala Lumpur and convened in Tokyo 21 participants from the director-general level of 11 countries to review institutional preparedness, share knowledge on risk evaluation, and discuss effective countermeasures.

A slide from the risk evaluation and countermeasures presentation from Professor Fumihiko Imamura of Tohoku University showing world seismicity, 1975-1995 (image from USGS National Earthquake Information Center)

Seven Japanese experts from government, the development community, and academia presented papers to the seminar ranging from basic scientific knowledge of earthquakes and tsunami to an overview of Japanese disaster mitigation methods and effective requirements for an early warning system.

The material was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the state of knowledge of these natural phenomena while focusing on the successes and lessons learned from the Japanese context. These lessons are being directed to enhance international understanding of rehabilitation methods and needs and to support the reconstruction efforts being carried out by governments, donor agencies, and international organizations.

The TDLC is working to develop several tsunami-related projects with key partners throughout the region, and looks forward to reporting on their progress as and when we can.

...

Thursday, March 24th, 2005

JATA and Results Japan Host World Tuberculosis Day Event at TDLC

Regional symposium emphasizes community health and access to treatment to fight HIV/TB co-epidemic

Ms. Kaoru Sugita accpets the post of Special JATA Ambassador

The Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA) and Results Japan hosted a regional symposium at the Tokyo Development Learning Center to mark World Tuberculosis Day on March 24. A large audience was in attendance in Tokyo, and the symposium was joined via the GDLN by Dr. Irawan Kosasih of Indonesia's Ministry of Public Health from the IFC's Jakarta office.

The first session of the symposium was chaired by Ms. Takeko Yamashita, Director of JATA's Business Department and opened with the appointment of Japanese actress Kaoru Sugita as Special JATA Ambassador. Ms. Yamashita was joined on the first panel by Mr. Winstone Zulu, a leading global advocate on TB and HIV/AIDS, and Dr. Jintana Ngamvithayapong-Yanai, President of the TB/HIV Research Foundation in Thailand.

Takeko Yamshita (left) chairs the symposium's first session with Winstone Zulu (center) and Dr. Jintana Ngamvithayapong-Yanai

Mr. Zulu's presentation began with video of Nelson Mandela praising his work in raising global awareness of the TB/HIV co-epidemic, and he then delivered moving testimony based on his and his family's first-hand experience to the need to increase access to treatment and how this is, ultimately, the simple difference between life and death.

Dr. Ngamvithayapong-Yanai then delivered a presentation called "TB/HIV: From Killing to Caring and Cure" which provided an overview of the global and regional severity of the epidemics, and then focused on community-based initiatives in Thailand. She drew on extensive fieldwork to suggest ways in which the diseases can be more actively fought, and communities more effectively protected.

From left: Kiyoko Ikegami, Director, UNFPA Tokyo office; Dr. Tadao Shimao, President, Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention; Mr. Shigeki Sumi, Deputy Director-General, Multilateral Cooperation Dept., Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Takashi Sawada, Vice Representative, Services for Health in Asia & Africa Region; Mr. Masaki Inaba, Africa Japan Forum; Dr. Toru Mori, Director, The Research Institute of Tuberculosis

The second session consisted of a panel discussion, expertly moderated by Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami, Director of UNFPA's Tokyo office, comprised of expert representatives from government, medical associations, and NPOs. The panellists looked at the range of action actually required at various levels to fight TB/HIV, paying particular attention to how Japanese government and social programs can provide greater support and mobilize increased resources.

Dr. Kosasih of the National TB Control Program in Indonesia's Ministry of Public Health provided a local overview of the situation in Indonesia and stressed the need for increased efforts in acknowledging and fighting TB's role in the HIV epidemic. Throughout the symposium, Dr. Kosasih actively participated in discussions and fielded questions from panellists and members of the audience.

...

Related Links:

Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association

World Tuberculosis Day website (WHO)

United Nations Population Fund

Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention

Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Africa Japan Forum

Results

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005

JICA Monitors Seismic Risk Reduction Project Via GDLN

Videoconferencing links Japan and Romania for Technical Cooperation Project on the Reduction of Seismic Risk for Buildings and Structures

Participants at the TDLC and World Bank's Bucharest office during the conference

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) coordinates a joint technical cooperation project with Romania which aims to share Japanese expertise on seismic risk, improve retrofitting techniques for Romanian buildings, advise on revisions to construction regulations and codes, and ultimately contribute to the safety of Romanian citizens against earthquakes. The project team today held their first session via the GDLN as part of their project monitoring operations.

Participants connecting from the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) met with their counterparts in the World Bank's Bucharest office in the first of what will become a series of monitoring conferences. The five-year project runs through September 2007.

In Tokyo, twelve Japanese seismic engineering experts and four JICA interns from Romania, Peru, and Mexico were present. In Bucharest, local team members and JICA long-term experts based in Romania for the project joined the conference. The discussion focused on cost-effective methods of building reinforcement.

The GDLN allowed extensive photographic evidence to be easily shared among the participants quickly and cheaply. The TDLC is very pleased to play a part in such worthwhile projects and wishes the entire project team the very best of luck in their critical project of seismic risk mitigation.

...

Wednesday, March 16th, 2005

ADB, JBIC, and the World Bank Launch “Connecting East Asia: A New Framework for Infrastructure

East Asia needs $1 trillion for infrastructure over the next five years

Jemal-ud-din Kassum, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, addresses the symposium

The Asian Development Bank, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the World Bank today released their first joint study on the infrastructure challenges facing developing nations in East Asia at a symposium held today at Keidanren Hall in Tokyo.

Christian Delvoie, World Bank Director of Infrastructure, East Asia and the Pacific

"Connecting East Asia: A New Framework for Infrastructure" is based on extensive consultations with government officials, private investors, NGOs, academics, and development partners. The study also draws on interviews with officials from 48 countries throughout the region and around the world to gauge East Asia's the level of interest in infrastructure investment and to identify what criteria companies use when deciding where to invest.

Developing countries in East Asia face a massive infrastructure funding challenge. The study estimates that the 21 countries covered will need more than US$200 billion per year to fund new investment and maintenance of power, piped gas, transportation, information and communications technology, and water and sanitation systems.

Andrew Steer, World Bank Country Director for Indonesia, joining the symposium from Jakarta

Jemal-ud-din Kassum, the World Bank's Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, said "Over the course of our consultations, people we talked with emphasized the long-term nature of infrastructure development, a process which requires dedicated and reliable partners ... The organizations responsible for this study are contemplating stepping up our engagement, both in terms of the funds we provide and the scope of projects we support. It is critical that we seize the opportunity to contribute to the region's ability to reduce poverty, expand opportunities, and share the benefits for future growth."

JBIC Governor Kyosuke Shinozawa said "In order to continue the growth trend, East Asian countries must keep up with the demands of companies which need energy, reliablelogisticslinks, and other serviceas part of investment climates. Basic infrastructure service, such as water and sanitation as well as transportation services, for people particularly for the poor, needs to be provided for achieving Millennium Development Goals."

Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative for Japan, delivers closing remarks

Mr. Kassum provided opening remarks at the symposium and participated in a panel discussion on the operational implications of the study. During the panel, the Tokyo Development Learning Center's mobile videoconferencing facility was used to connect to the World Bank's Jakarta office where Andrew Steer, the Bank's Country Director for Indonesia, invited comments from assembled government officials and development experts including Dr. Suyono Dikun, Deputy for Infrastructure at the National Development Planning Board.

Following Mr. Kassum's speech, Christian Delvoie, the Bank's Infrastructure Director for East Asia and the Pacific, spoke on the regional significance of the study and how it can help point the way to new tools and methods needed to address the infrastructure challenges facing Asia.

Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative for Japan, delivered closing remarks to the symposium in which he suggested an important role for the Global Development Learning Network in supporting infrastructure development throughout the region.

(From left) Toshiro Nishizawa, Deputy-General of JBIC's International Finance Department; Hiroto Arakawa, Director-General of JBIC's Development Assistance Strategy Department; Geert van der Linden, Vice President, ADB; Jemal-ud-din Kassum, World Bank Vice President, East Asia and Pacific

The three institutions supporting the study intend to play major roles in supporting its findings and in helping countries across Asia meet their growing infrastructure and institutional needs.

...

Related links:

The World Bank: East Asia Needs $1 Trillion for Infrastructure Over Next Five Years

The Asian Development Bank

Japan Bank for International Cooperation

The World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Region website

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005

World Bank Vice President and Special Representative for Japan on Global Information Infrastructure

##Yukio Yoshimura introduces one of the major ICT initiatives the Bank has been supporting over the last five years##

The GIIC meeting, March 2, Washington D.C. (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

The Global Information Infrastructure Commission held a conference in Washington D.C. on March 2. The conference was hosted by GIIC co-chairs Naoyuki Akikusa, the chairman of Fujitsu, and Brian Thompson, chairman of Comcast, and attended by executives from GIIC’s member companies in their roles as GIIC commissioners.

Mr. Yoshimura delivered a presentation to the conference in which he introduced the Bank’s Global Development Learning Network and spoke on the Bank’s commitment to the development of information communication technologies world-wide. Expanding on the role of the GDLN, he noted that “any organization, including the private sector, is welcome to use the facility for capacity building, training, policy dialogue, and other purposes designed to provide value and assistance to the poorer countries.”

Mr. Yoshimura emphasized the role of disaster mitigation in recent uses of the GDLN, and provided some specific examples drawn from recent activities of the Tokyo Development Learning Center.

In Tokyo, disaster management has become a major priority for our regional GDLN network and Tokyo Development Learning Center. As you know, Japan has a wealth of knowledge about natural disaster mitigation and management, and in particular, experience in coping with earthquakes and tsunami - both warning systems and handling the aftermath.

In my keynote address [to the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe, Japan, in February] I emphasized the role of learning in improved disaster management.

He also cited examples of how the network was used during the recent SARS crisis in Asia and noted that a potential avian flu epidemic now looms over the region and that the network stands ready to serve health and agricultural authorities in the event of another crisis.

The full text of Mr. Yoshimura’s speech is available on the World Bank Japan’s website.

...

**Related Links:**

Global Information Infrastructure Commission

JoinTokyo.org: World Conference on Disaster Reduction Begins in Kobe

Thursday, February 17th, 2005

David Dollar Speaks at Japan-China Business Dialogue

David Dollar, World Bank Country Director for China and Mongolia, speaks in Tokyo on the investment climate and competitiveness in 23 Chinese cities##

David Dollar

During a recent visit to Tokyo David Dollar, the World Bank's Country Directory for China and Mongolia delivered a presentation via the GDLN on the investment climate and competitiveness in 23 Chinese cities. The two-hour session connected the Tokyo Development Learning Center with JBIC in Osaka and the University of Kyoto's Graduate School of Economics.

The Japan-China Business Dialogue was attended by participants from the private sector, government policy makers, investment promotion agencies, academics, and others involved with investment, trade, and business between the two countries.

Mr. Dollar provided an overview of the investment climate and competitiveness of 23 Chinese cities, and discussed with participants how the private sector and local governments in both countries can help city economies attract private investment.

(from left) Koichi Omori, World Bank Japan Communications Officer; David Dollar; Yu Yokoyama, Director General for Economic Affairs for Yokohama City; Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative for Japan

He was joined by Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative for Japan, who provided opening remarks. Comments were provided by Yu Yokoyama, Director General of Economic Affairs for Yokohama City, Naohiro Kitano, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Shanghai Center, University of Kyoto, and Masanobu Baba, Advisor on Trade and Investment Promotion, JETRO Osaka.

Following comments, the panel conducted an open question and answer session with the audiences in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Closing remarks were provided by Ryu Fukui, the TDLC's Partnership and Programs Manager.

...

Related Links:

"A Better Investment Climate for Everyone": the World Bank's annual World Development Report for 2005

IFC.org: investment climate

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University