An ILO public seminar on the Realization of Decent Work in Africa was held 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.
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.
How can new technologies help build microfinance capacity in developing countries? The Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFToT) course has led the way with its unique blended learning approach. The fourth series which opened at the TDLC on August 16, 2007 takes advantage of webcasting to deliver videoconference lectures, vastly expanding accessibility. Moodle, an open-source learning management system, was incorporated for the first time – allowing 653 participants from 52 countries to register on-line.
Research institutes in Japan, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Turkey connected via the GDLN on July 18, 2007 to take part in the “Thematic International Workshop 2007 on Feasible and Affordable Seismic Constructions in Developing Countries”. These 5 countries are participating in an ongoing collaborative research and development project to mitigate damage in earthquake prone areas in Asia, using videoconferencing as a way to share information and discuss future plans.
School children in Bangkok made their “debut” on screen in Japan during a Kids Initiative videoconference session held on July 17, 2007 acting out a skit explaining why many Thai people wear yellow. Counterparts in Japan responded with a presentation on school life in Tokyo. Kids Initiative is a World Bank TDLC program which utilizes videoconference and other communication technologies to promote multi-cultural exchanges between children to prepare them for an increasingly interconnected world.
Hitotsubashi University’s Asian Public Policy Program (APPP) held its second “reunion” via the GDLN on June 28, 2007. Professor Hisanobu Shishido moderated from the TDLC connecting to alumni in Beijing, Manila, Hanoi and Jakarta. Over thirty attended the seminar in Tokyo, including students currently enrolled in the program.
A new World Bank publication “An East Asian Renaissance: Ideas for Growth” was presented at the TDLC on June 12, 2007 by lead authors Dr. Homi Kharas, former Bank Chief Economist for East Asia & Pacific, and Dr. Indermit Gill, Economic Adviser. Three universities in Japan connected via videoconference to tune into discussions.
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.
With broad interest in road management systems around the world, much can be learned from each other’s experience – thus, findings from two international projects recently undertaken by the World Bank were discussed at a videoconference-based distance seminar connecting 9 sites on April 24, 2007 organized by the Bank’s East Asia Transport Unit & the GDLN.
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 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.
Students from Hitotsubashi University School of International and Public Policy joined a worldwide consultation to make actionable recommendations on combating corruption and improving governance. 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.
The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and The Building Research Institute (BRI)Japan held an international conference on “Disaster Mitigation Education and Risk Awareness” on March 15, 2007 at the TDLC.
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.
With developing countries gaining greater recognition as a potential market, a seminar series under the World Bank Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative was launched on March 8, 2007 at the TDLC to promote discussion on new trends for poverty reduction through business development. In attendance were over 150 participants from the public and private sectors, underscoring the significance of CSR in today’s global business environment.
Visit the World Bank Tokyo Office Site to hear panelists speak out on video (in japanese only):
The application of seismic isolation is often limited in developing countries because of the high cost and specialized technology involved in its design, construction and maintenance. To address this issue, a study group organized by the Consortium for Building Research and Development has conducted research on simple and affordable seismic isolation – and an international workshop held on February 8, 2007 via videoconference allowed experts to share their findings with counterparts in Asia.
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.
“More hard work will be needed from all of you”. The new Dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute, Dr. Masahiro Kawai expressed hopes for accelerated microfinance capacity building at an Accreditation Ceremony held on February 5,2007 connecting 6 sites.
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
This session, focusing on “Overview of Lessons from Scaling Up Successful Efforts to Reduce Poverty” was facilitated by the World Bank Institute and delivered to JICA offices in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz. Based on a cooperation agreement between GDLN and JICA-Net, the TDLC is working with its counterpart to facilitate content exchange.
Tokyo Development Learning Center
A Japan/World Bank Distance Learning Partnership Project
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