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)