As part of an ongoing collaborative research project, a videoconference workshop on “Earthquake Risk Perception” was held March 5, 2008 to share the results of a survey conducted in 2007/2008 by the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) on the risk perception of residents, government officials, building contractors and masons.
Researchers from 5 countries connected via the GDLN on January 24, 2008 for the Tokyo International Workshop 2008 on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation for Safer Housing. Part of a collaborative research project initiated by 4 Japanese institutions including the Building Research Institute, the workshop was organized to share research and development output as well as to discuss activity programs among participating research institutes in Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Turkey.
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.
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.
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 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.
Research institutions in Japan, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Turkey joined forces on November 22-23, 2006 connecting to each other from the TDLC for the “Tokyo International Workshop 2006 on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation for Safer Housing”.Organizers including the Building Research Institute of Japan have launched a new collaborative research project with Asian institutions, and are incorporating videoconferencing to share knowledge and strengthen the network.
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.
The new President of the Japan Water Forum (JWF), APWF and Chair of the Summit, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, called for a “one for all, all for one” approach to resolving water issues.
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.
“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 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.
See full story for video of presentations.
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.
As part of a continuing effort to promote the concept of Corporate Community Interface (CCI) in disaster risk reduction, a second videoconference organized by Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES) and the TDLC was held on April 20,2006 to discuss plans to develop a CCI program. Sites in Manila, Bangkok, Hanoi, New Delhi, Kobe and Tokyo connected to share experiences and expertise, and considered specific contents for a CCI Handbook which will serve as the basis for conversion into a distance learning program.
A new learning program titled “Post Disaster Reconstruction Learning of Indian Ocean Tsunami: Towards its Application to Pre Disaster Preparedness in Vulnerable Developing Countries” has begun at the TDLC, organized by the Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environment Studies. In an inaugural videoconference held on April 20, 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, New Delhi and Tokyo connected to discuss the two-year program.
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 International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, part of Japan’s Building Research Institute (BRI), conducted a videoconference on technology for seismic resistant housing connecting Japan and Peru on February 24, 2006. The conference was the first such occasion after the Institute installed videoconferencing facilities in consultation with the TDLC.
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. Following the development of a National Disaster Management Plan, a video conference, organized by Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Afghanistan’s Department for Disaster Preparedness, and the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), was held among experts on January 16, 2006 to discuss the plan connecting the TDLC, Kabul and Delhi.
“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. A lively discussion followed presentations from NGO and community members in Surabaya, Indonesia, where Kitakyushu helped set up a successful composting program. Organized by Kitakyushu and the TDLC, the seminar was designed to introduce composting to participants in Bangkok, which had asked Kitakyushu for assistance in solid waste management.
A new GDLN learning program which aims to share environment and disaster management practices within the private sector has been launched by the TDLC and its partner, Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES). Titled “Corporate Community Interface for Environment and Disaster Management: Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility”, a total of six video conference seminars are planned through February 2007.
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 International Recovery Platform (IRP) was launched at the International Seminar on Recovery in Kobe from May 11 to 13.
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 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.
Coinciding with the World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe from January 18 to 22, the TDLC and Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies held a seminar entitled *Rethinking Disaster Reduction - A Development Challenge* on January 21.
The United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction begins tomorrow in Kobe, Japan, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the city ten years ago.
The Australian National University’s Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government and the Asia Pacific Energy Forum collaborated to launch a series of projects on regional energy issues.
A half-day videoconference was held today on sustainable solid waste management in Asian cities.
The Tokyo Development Learning Center was honored to host the second meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation on December 9 and 10.
The Global Development Learning Network connected sites in Delhi, Hanoi, United Nations University, and the Tokyo Development Learning Center today for the first pilot program of Distance Learning on Disaster and Environment Management organised by Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES), the GDLN, and the Global Open Learning Forum on Risk Education (GOLFRE).
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