‘Mainstreaming Resilience in a Complex, Networked World’ Seminar

World Bank Seminar

Following recent large scale disasters in the East Asia and Pacific region including the March 11 earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan, large-scale flooding in Thailand as well as the tropical storm in the Philippines, mainstreaming disaster risk management (DRM) in investments and operations has become an increasingly urgent issue.

The seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss how we can make further progress on the mainstreaming issue, as well as ways to enhance collaboration across organizations to sustain these efforts. World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President Pamela Cox will open the session with an overview of the Bank’s work on DRM in the region. The session will be hosted in Tokyo and connect by video conference to audiences located in Bangkok (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), Jakarta (Indonesia), Hanoi (Vietnam) and Vientiane (Laos).

Advance registration required (first-come-first-served). Webcasting (Live Streaming via Internet) of VC will be also available.

Deadline: February 8, 2012

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2011 Series

Green Growth Seminars

Distance Learning Seminar Series

Come along to two seminars on “Green Growth” at Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) connecting other Distance Learning Centers. Green Growth is a globally relevant approach to sustainable economic growth.  Expert speakers from Japan, China and Korea will update and share knowledge about each country’s Green Growth policy formation and its implementation process to date. They will also take part in a regional dialogue to further disseminate the concept of Green Growth and to analysis and discuss relevant issues within Asia and beyond. 

The Green Growth seminars will be co-hosted by TDLC with Korea Development Institute (KDI) School, and Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center (AFDC) in collaboration with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) - connecting with Korea, China, Japan and other countries via videoconferencing system.

8th Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT 8)

A Blended Distance Learning Course

Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)  are pleased to announce the 8th delivery of the Microfinance Training of Trainers course (MFTOT8) from December 2011 to April 2012.

MFTOT8 is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of microfinance in the Asia-Pacific region and African region. The course makes high-quality microfinance training accessible to decision-makers, professionals and practitioners in the field of microfinance and increases the number of accredited microfinance trainers in the Asia Pacific region and around the world. Two types of certificate are available for participants who complete the course depending on learning objectives, level of commitment and performance.

Online registration is now available at MFTOT 8 course website (http://mftot.jointokyo.org).

Registration has been closed.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Microfinance Training of Trainers Course (MFTOT)

Vietnam Nurse Training Course

1. Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Program

The Tokyo Development Learning Center, (TDLC), Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC) and AHP Network will be starting a new blended learning program “Vietnam Nurse Training Course”. This course will focus on three subjects; ‘Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing’, ‘Elderly Nursing’ and ‘Home Care Nursing’. It aims to improve the nursing education and training system in Vietnam, and also to grow the capacity of the overall health sector in Vietnam through innovative learning program design and methods. The course will develop understanding and practical skill of Vietnamese nursing trainers and practitioner nurses in specific subjects that are not part of the standard nurse education curriculum in Vietnam. Target participants are nurse trainers and practitioner nurses at the trainer’s level in hospitals in Hanoi and Danang, and participants will receive a program participation certificate upon completing the program.

International Labour Organization (ILO) / Aoyama Gakuin University / TDLC Lecture series (4)

The International Labour Organization (ILO), Aoyama Gakuin University and the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will host a 2011 lecture series. This year’s lecture series will be focusing on ILO’s decent work activities from ILO’s Better Work Project to Social security trends. Lectures will be given by experts and specialists from ILO headquarters and the ILO Asia Pacific office via videoconference.

Come participate in one of the rare opportunities to be able to ask questions of the specialists who are actively involved in labor issues in ILO Bangkok regional office or ILO headquarters in Geneva.

We look forward to your participation.

World Bank East Asia and Pacific Region Flagship Report Seminar

Putting Higher Education to Work – Skills and Research for Growth in East Asia

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific Region is pleased to announce the launch of our regional flagship report on higher education in East Asia. The report Putting Higher Education to Work -  Skills and Research for Growth in East Asia focuses on how higher education can be improved to contribute to East Asia’s growth agenda, and the role of public policy in this process.

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific in collaboration with Tokyo Development Learning Center, The World Bank (TDLC) are hosting a report launch seminar to disseminate the findings of the report using video-conferencing system, and connecting 10 countries in the region. This launch seminar will provide valuable information to policy makers, researchers and practitioners in the field.

Advance registration required (first-come-first-served).

Deadline: October 7th, 2011

Economic Environment Assessment of Credit Rating for Banking Sector

VC seminar organized by AFDC, co-sponsored by TDLC, WB, Sri Lanka DLC and KDI School

In accordance with Basel Accord, strengthened credit rating and risk management systems have been required to be built in commercial banks. Macroeconomic environment assessment plays a very important role in these systems. In the post-crisis world, all countries have to tackle increasingly complex issues in the international and domestic economic environment. In particular, commercial banks face a great challenge in the assessment field.

Many countries have put forward a series of measures to improve their financial supervision and credit rating systems, especially the credit rating system in commercial banks. The Chinese government has paid much attention to implementing the Basel Accord and improving risk management systems in its commercial banks. It is important for each country to share new approaches and experience in macroeconomic environment assessment field, and by doing so, to promote financial system stabilization.

In order to promote experience-sharing on economic environment assessment for credit rating in commercial banks, the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center (AFDC) in collaboration with the World Bank, Tokyo Development Learning Center, The World Bank (TDLC), Sri Lanka Distance Learning Center and Korean Development Institute (KDI) School will hold a half-day VC seminar, to tackle the challenges in economic environment assessment in commercial banks in the post-crisis world.

Global 4 Dimensions Water Cycle Management Seminar

VC seminar

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific Region, the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration and Tokyo Development Learning Center, are hosting the Global 4 Dimensions Water Cycle Management Seminar- connecting with China, Indonesia, Madagascar, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos and Japan via videoconferencing system.

Global 4 Dimensions Water Cycle Management is a system that simulate past, present and future water cycle systems and visualizes the result with easy-to-understand graphics. It provides county based information on water that helps policy makers when drawing up and executing strategic action plans. This system is the world’s latest cutting-edge water cycle and water resource management technology and was originated in Japan. Even countries with insufficient funds and access to basic water cycle data information can visualize their nationwide water circulation system by using satellite systems at low cost. It is expected to be the powerful tool in policy making of water cycle and water resource management.

Modernization of Hydrometeorological Services and Early Warning Systems

Session 3: Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2011 Series

Major advances in observation, analysis and prediction of high-impact weather and climate events have been achieved by some countries and are available to all. Effective Early Warning Systems (EWS) building on such information have substantially reduced deaths and injuries from severe weather events. National Meteorological Systems in many developing countries lack the capacity to access recent scientific and technical advances. Such agencies have limited observation networks, little experience in using numerical weather prediction, few opportunities for training, and have recurrent difficulty retaining their best-qualified staff. These circumstances weaken service delivery. The poor weather information services provided in these countries often make early warnings impossible, and lack of warning in turn leads to economic damage and loss of life that could have been avoided.

The objective of this session is to share knowledge and experiences on hydromet modernization initiatives for developing countries.

Partners

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2011 Series

Scaling-up and Integration of Community Knowledge into Disaster Risk Reduction

Session 2: Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2011 Series

Communities are a reservoir of collective wisdom for disaster risk reduction. Such wisdom and community practices, though some are lost, have been transferred over many years. The community is the key actor and primary beneficiary; they can make best judgment of their own vulnerability by use of own resources. Over the last couple of decades, it has become apparent that top-down approaches to disaster risk management alone fail to address the specific local needs of vulnerable communities. Given this fact, it has also become clear that there is a strong need to recognize the potential community knowledge and actions and to shift to a bottom-up approach that uses appropriate community practices as the base for policy formulation.

This session will highlight various innovative community practices to draw lessons from for how to advocate for and apply principles of community engagement in disaster risk reduction across different countries and levels of society. It will also provide participants with opportunities to discuss about bottom-up approaches linking up with national and international level to address the complexity of community’s vulnerability issues.

Partners

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2011 Series

Making Women’s Voices Count in Disaster Risk Reduction Programs

Session 1: Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2011 Series

Women and men’s different needs, roles and opportunities put women and men differently at risk from disasters and influences emergency management strategies. Women and men experience disaster impacts differently in health, safety, community support, and resource needs at the household and community levels. It is therefore important that women’s and men’s particular vulnerabilities and needs are assessed and taken into consideration into Disaster Risk Management (DRM) strategies.

This session will provide participants with an understanding of the key findings and tools for taking into account women and men’s particular needs, roles and opportunities into DRM programs and share lessons learnt on how gender dimension can be incorporated in a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and recovery programs.

Partners

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2011 Series

Briefing session on the agenda at the International Labour Conference, 100th Session, 2011

ILO Office for Japan: "Social security for social justice and a fair globalization"

Under the UN’s initiative of “Social Protection Floor,” International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO) are leading organizations to secure and promote social protection.  Social protection is one of the main strategic objectives of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. 

At International Labour Conference, 100th Session 2011 which will be held from 1 to 17 June, Social Protection (social security) is one of the technical agenda.  Together with this opportunity, ILO Office for Japan will hold a briefing session on the social security through video conference facility. 

Ms. Christina Behrendit, ILO Social Security Specialist with Social Security Department will explain the report to the Conference and discussion points from Geneva, followed by Questions and Answers from the floor in Tokyo.  We look forward to your participation.
* English-Japanese consecutive interpretation is provided.

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2011 Series

As part of the EAP Sector Management Unit Initiatives, which is a program promoting outreach and knowledge-sharing, the East Asia and Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) team, in collaboration with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), is supporting Disaster Risk Management Distance Learning Seminar Series for EAP client countries to build capacity and increase knowledge of all professionals who will be involved in DRM activities as well as to help them drive the agenda for DRM activities in their respective countries and empower local partners.

Partners

See also:

• Making Women’s Voices Count in Disaster Risk Reduction Programs
• Scaling-up and Integration of Community Knowledge into Disaster Risk Reduction
• Modernization of Hydrometeorological Services and Early Warning Systems
• ‘Mainstreaming Resilience in a Complex, Networked World’ Seminar

Restructuring the Economy toward a Green Energy Saving Economy

Distance Learning Seminar Series

Responding to an increasing global demand towards Green & Energy Saving Economy, the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center (AFDC) in China,  in collaboration with the Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC), the Institute of Financial Training in Vietnam, The World Bank and Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) in Japan are pleased to announce a distance seminar, “Restructuring the Economy toward a Green Energy Saving Economy” on May 17, 2011.

Fourth Blended Learning Program to Train Mother and Child Health Care Specialists in Mongolia

Happy Mothers, Happy Children

Tokyo Development Learning Center, The World Bank (TDLC), Kitasato University and Mongolia Nurses Association delivered the fourth blended learning program to train nurses and other health care specialists in Mongolia on March 11, 2011.  This half-day program was delivered to over 670 participants at 3 sites in Ulaan Bataar and 3 rural locations in Mongolia to TDLC.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Happy Mothers, Happy Children

Session 6:  Open-source risk vs. Proprietary risk models

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2010 Distance Learning Seminar Series

This session will provide participants with an understanding on the concepts of open-source risk and proprietary risk models on catastrophe hazards and vulnerability to measure economic losses attributed to natural disasters. It also aims to impart pros and cons of these models in assessing cat risks and discuss issues of challenge in applying these models to local context.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Tourism Exchange for South Pacific Islands

2-day seminar

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Asia Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC) and Tokyo Development Learning Center, The World Bank (TDLC), are jointly hosting a 2-day seminar ‘Tourism Exchange of South Pacific Islands’. 5 countries will be connected via Video Conferencing- Indonesia, Fiji, Maldives, Timor-Leste and Japan to discuss and promote ideas and approaches for sustainable tourism. The purpose for this seminar is to improve the tourism sector, as well as developing the tourism relationship between participating countries and Japan. Advance registration required (first-come-first-served).

Science and Policy of Climate Change

A Blended Distance Learning Course

Responding to increasing global concerns on global warming and climate change, the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and Tokyo Development Learning Center, The World Bank (TDLC) are pleased to announce the Blended Distance Learning “Science and Policy of Climate Change” on April 8 – June 8, 2011. The course targets graduate students, development practitioners, policy makers, business persons, and mid-level professionals in the Asia Pacific region, capturing the Science of Climate Change (Module 1), Impacts of Climate Change (Module 2), Coping with Climate Change (Module 3) and Action and Political Economy (Module 4).

Registration for this course has been closed.

GDLN Asia Pacific Professional Management Program

The “GDLN Asia Pacific Professional Management Program” was conducted in Bali, Indonesia.  Members of GDLN Asia Pacific and peers from the World Bank Institute provided the content for, and facilitated the 5-Module program.

Session 5: Urban Flood Risk Management: Experiences of Cities

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2010 Distance Learning Seminar Series

Urban flooding poses a significant hazard and causes damage on infrastructure and the economy in cities. Urban poor populations are likely to be the hardest hit. Cities have tackled with it but there are still challenges in cities that have different characteristics.
The overall objective of this session is to disseminate good practice and approaches to flood and drainage management, and address issues and challenges of urban flooding prevention.  In this session, speakers from Senegal and Vietnam will be invited that would be a good opportunity for cross-regional knowledge exchange on urban flooding and drainage.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Session 4: It Is Not Too Late: Preparing for East Asia’s Next Big Earthquake

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2010 Distance Learning Seminar Series

The overall objective of this session is impart knowledge on reducing earthquake risk through promotion of safer construction, dissemination of good practice for new and existing infrastructure, and increasing the level of preparedness.
In this session, Peter Yanev, Senior Earthquake Specialist, Yanev Associates and Senior Consultant to the World Bank, one of the world’s top seismologists, to do a policy-note on preparing for East Asia’s next big earthquake. We will release the note during the upcoming Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR in Korea. Yanev is collaborating with local one local expert in China, Philippines and Indonesia. Another top seismologist , Professor T. C. Pan, Dean of NTU’s College of Engineering and Director of the Protective Technology Research Center, will speak on various aspects of seismic vulnerability reduction. 

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

2010 Lecture Series: Asian Decent Work Agenda under Global Job Crisis

ILO / Aoyama Gakuin University / TDLC

International Labour Organization (ILO), Aoyama Gakuin University and The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will host a lecture series on “Asian Decent Work Agenda under Global Job Crisis”.  The lecture series consists of 6 sessions, featuring experts and specialists from ILO headquarters (Geneva), ILO Asia Pacific (Bangkok), the ILO Office in Japan, and various Japanese experts as speakers. This series will address ILO’s decent work activities as well as local activities in Japan via videoconference.

Microfinance Training of Trainers Course 7 (MFTOT 7)

A Blended Distance Learning Course

The Microfinance The ADBI and TDLC are pleased to announce the seventh delivery of the Microfinance Training of Trainers course (MFTOT7) from December 2010 to April 2011.

The Microfinance Training of Trainers Course (MFT0T), first organized in February 2005, is a unique program that aims to enhance the knowledge of microfinance practitioners so that they may help to strengthen the institutional capacity of microfinance service providers in the Asia Pacific region. This course has received high rating from participants and become popular in many countries. Two types of certificate will be available for participants depending on their learning objectives, level of commitment and performance.

Organizers
The Asian Development Bank Institute(ADBI)
The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)

Our thanks to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) for contributing their CD-ROM and textbook to the Course.

Registration for this course has been closed.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Microfinance Training of Trainers Course (MFTOT)

Microinsurance and its application in disaster risk management programs

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2010 Distance Learning Seminar Series　

The poor, with their limited assets and resources, are often excluded from formal insurance instruments. In many developing countries, the poor have resorted to other instruments – credits, grain banks, remittances, savings, etc – to tide them over during times of hardship. Microinsurance is thus seen as an effective instrument to protect the poor from the increasing impacts of disasters. It is flexible enough to suit the particular needs of the clients and to accommodate non-traditional institutional arrangements.
This session will highlight the various innovations on the application of microinsurance in DRM and the experiences and insights of practitioners.

Partners

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Conducting multi-hazard risk assessments

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2010 Distance Learning Seminar Series

The Risk Assessment shows the likelihood of an extreme hazard event and its impacts to vulnerable communities.  Disaster risk is a function of the characteristics and frequency of hazards experienced in a specified location, the nature of the elements at risk, and their inherent degree of vulnerability or resilience (which can include capacity). Effective risk reduction requires a multi-hazard risk assessment in order to determine which areas are at highest risk of experiencing a disaster and why, so that appropriate and cost-effective mitigation measures can be identified, adopted, and implemented. This session will also incorporate discussion on the effects and implications of climate change.

Partners

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Japanese Making a Difference in the World: Reports from the Field~Medical Service Providers

International Midwives' Day / International Nurses' Day Commemoration Seminar

In commemoration of International Midwives’ Day (5th of May) and International Nurses’ Day (12th of May), a seminar will be held on May 12. 2010. Sister Yukie Makino (77) and Sister Michiko Hirama (70 yrs) will connect from Madagascar to talk about the status in Madagascar, their efforts and hardships they’ve encountered as a medical service provider in the country, and also about the needs of the people who seek their services.

Third Blended Learning Program to Train Mother and Child Health Care Specialists in Mongolia

TDLC, WHO, Kitasato University and Mongolia Nurses Association will deliver the third blended learning program on Training of Mother and Child Health Care Specialists in Mongolia on April 15, 2010.  The third distance learning program will focus on emergency obstetrics and neonatal care and is expecting to be delivered to over 450 participants at 6 sites in Ulaan Bataar and other rural locations in Mongolia.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Happy Mothers, Happy Children

New Challenges and Responses in Global Labor Safety and Health

The International Labour Organization (ILO) designated April 28, as World Day on Safety and Health at Work to raise awareness of safety and health issues at the workplace. In commemoration of this day, a seminar on safety and health issues at work will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, from 15:30~17:30. We look forward to your participation in this event.

Blended Learning on Partograph

World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), and Kitasato University School of Nursing will host a blended learning course on Partograph. The partograph is a simple reliable tool for graphically recording the progress of labor and monitoring the health of the mother and the fetus. The partograph serves as an “early warning system” and assists in early decision making on interventions in labor.

Conducting Post-disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNAs)

The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is a critical part of the reconstruction process for areas struck by disasters.
In this session, representatives from the governments of Indonesia and Pakistan will speak on the lessons learned from the PDNAs conducted in their respective countries.
Abhas K. Jha, World Bank Regional Coordinator for DRM, will moderate the session.

This session is the first in a series of sessions that will commence in April 2010 and run through the remainder of 2010.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

Natural disasters are a main source of risk for the poor, present a serious obstacle to achieving sustainable social and economic development. Disasters affect the poor most severely thus, measures taken to manage hazards and reduce their impact provide an effective vehicle to make substantial advances in fight against poverty. The countries of East Asia and the Pacific are among the most vulnerable in the world to effects caused by disasters.

Partners

See also:

• Conducting Post-disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNAs)
• Conducting multi-hazard risk assessments
• Microinsurance and its application in disaster risk management programs
• Session 4: It Is Not Too Late: Preparing for East Asia’s Next Big Earthquake
• Session 5: Urban Flood Risk Management: Experiences of Cities
• Session 6:  Open-source risk vs. Proprietary risk models

Rapid Design of e-Learning Programs

‘Essentials of e-Learning Program Design in a Nutshell’

The 5-week blended course jointly offered by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) aims to update your notion of e-Learning and enhance your skills in designing e-Learning programs in a short time frame.  Online registration is now available at http://tinyurl.com/programdesign

Capacity Building for Climate & Disaster Resilience

Disaster in Mumbai, India Photo courtesy of CITYNET

Climate change is happening.

The Asia Pacific has experienced repeated destruction and loss of lives due to climate-induced and hydro-meteorological disasters. To avoid being struck unprepared, appropriate measures need to be taken.

This capacity-building program helps local governments manage current and potential risks,

Public Seminar “Green Jobs and the Global Economic Crisis”

To Commemorate World Day of Social Justice

February 20th has been designated as a “World Day of Social Justice” by the United Nations, and a variety of events are being held to raise people’s awareness on social justice.

To commemorate the World Day of Social Justice, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Japan and the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) are jointly organizing a public seminar on “Green Jobs and the Global Economic Crisis” on February 22.

PPPs for Infrastructure in Asia Pacific: Global Challenges and constraints

The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) organized a symposium on “PPPs for Infrastructure in Asia Pacific: Global Challenges and constraints” on December 16 and 17, 2009. The event was held at Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Manila, Philippines with video links offered in Bangkok, Guiyan, Hanoi, Jakarta, Melbourne, Shanghai and Tokyo

Lecture Series: Women and Their Families—Health Services for Pregnancy and Child Care Session 2

Session 2: Mental health before and during pregnancy, and postpartum depression

Kitasato University School of Nursing, World Health Organization (WHO), and Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will jontly host a series of video conferences on safe motherhood and reproductive health issues from November 2009 through spring 2010.

The second session is set for 6:00-8:00pm (JST) December 18, 2009. Dr. Mari Takahashi, Dean of School of Nursing, Kitasato University will address issues on mental health before and during pregnancy, and postpartum depression.  Participation is free of charge; please register in advance to attend.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Lecture Series: Women and Their Families—Health Services for Pregnancy and Child Care

Training Course for Teachers

Instructional Design for Theme-based Sharing and Project-based Learning

To complement its Kids & Youth Initiative for better multicultural understanding among young people, TDLC is organizing a videoconference-based training course for teachers.

The Teachers’ Training Course is full of tips on how to organize effective videoconference sessions. It is specifically designed for elementary and junior high school teachers, instructors, and specialists involved in cross-cultural education.

See also:

• Kids Go Multicultural via GDLN (TT)

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Kids & Youth Initative Programs

Kids & Youth Initative Programs

“Globalism” is a key word in our world today. As the world becomes a smaller place, our children’s lives are affected by changing need and diversification. The “Kids & Youth Initiative” was borne at such a time, to enhance multicultural awareness among the younger generation, in whose hands lie our future.

Through the use of videoconferencing and the latest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) learning methods, the program aims to broaden the scope of their knowledge and understanding of different cultures. The Kids & Youth Initiative seeks to create opportunity for opinion exchange on topics of common interest across cultures.

See also:

• Kids Initiative
• Orphan Meets Artist
• Training Course for Teachers

Public Seminar “The Social Economy in Africa”

On November 25, 2009, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will hold a joint public seminar on the social economy in Africa. Addis Abeba will be linked with TDLC by video connection for expert presentations, panel discussions, and a Q&A session.

Participation is free of charge; please register in advance to attend.

Lecture Series: Women and Their Families—Health Services for Pregnancy and Child Care

Session 1: Strategies to Reduce Maternal Mortality Rates

Kitasato University School of Nursing, World Health Organization (WHO), and Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will jontly host a series of video conferences on safe motherhood and reproductive health issues from November 2009 through spring 2010.

The first session is set for 6:00-8:00pm (JST) November 18, 2009. Dr. Monir Islam of the World Health Organization’s Department of Making Pregnancy Safer (MPS) will address issues on strategies for reducing maternal mortality rates.

See also:

• Lecture Series: Women and Their Families—Health Services for Pregnancy and Child Care Session 2

“Orphan Meets Artist” Cambodia/Tokyo Workshop Coming Up in November ‘09—Join Us!

"Hanbun Hanbun/Pakondal" Cambodian HIV/AIDS Orphans Meet Japanese Artists

What can be done for orphans in developing countries through art? Based on this thought, a program was launched in June 2008: “Orphan Meets Artist”. AIDS orphans in Uganda “met” Japanese modern artist Tatsuo Miyajima at an art workshop, and the program was wrapped up with a symposium in Tokyo this summer.

A second workshop event is soon beginning, in November 2009. AIDS orphans in Cambodia will be connected with artists in Japan and Cambodia at two videoconference workshops.

The event is made possible through the cooperation of the Institute of Contemporary Arts and International Cultural Exchange, or Tokyo Wonder Site, and TASK, a Cambodian NGO working for better quality of life for the poor. The workshop has been created from scratch by workshop instructors, animation artist Chikara Matsumoto and artist Daisuke Nagaoka.

At the third session, taking place in Tokyo only, the artwork created by the Cambodian orphans will be used to make flip books, which will later be sent to the children as presents.

Please take part if you’re interested!

Read on for further details…

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Orphan Meets Artist

Lecture Series: Issues in Asia and the International Labour Organization

International Labour Organization (ILO), Aoyama Gakuin University and the TDLC will hold six lecture sessions on “Issues in Asia and the International Labour Organization” via video conference from October 2009 to January 2010. Advance registration is required for participants.

CITYNET Yokohama Congress 2009 Kicks Off

CITYNET, an international network connecting over 100 cities and organizations, officially opened CITYNET Yokohama Congress 2009 on Tuesday in Yokohama, currently celebrating the 150th anniversary of the opening of its port.

Participants assembled from various parts of the Asia Pacific region and beyond at the waterfront Pacifico Yokohama convention complex, southwest of Tokyo. Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, also CITYNET President, welcomed attendants to the opening session, followed by remarks from CITYNET First Vice President, Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul and Bangkok Deputy Governor and CITYNET Second Vice President Chirakit Prakob as the four-day event kicked off.

UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries Started

Pedicab driver talks with foreigners on a Hanoi street August 12 2009. Photo courtesy of APTEC

The Mekong Delta boasts a rich history, culture, and precious natural environment. To help develop sustainable tourism in the region, a two-day video conference seminar was held August 18-19, 2009, connecting Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and TDLC.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Announcement: UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries

Announcement: UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Asia-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC) and the TDLC will co-organize the Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Country on the theme of “Sustainable Tourism Development in Mekong River Basin Countries and Eliminating Poverty through the Tourism Promotion” for representatives from both public and private tourism-related sectors in these countries. 

See also:

• UNWTO Educational Seminar on Tourism Development in Mekong-Triangle Countries Started

Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific Session 5

Community-based Disaster Risk Management

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific Disaster Risk Management team, in collaboration with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), has started a learning and knowledge sharing seminar series on post-disaster recovery planning, risk financing, and disaster risk management from December 2008. Session 5 was held on June 26 2009 with focus on community-based disaster risk management.

This session is part of a larger program. For more information see Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific

Regulation and Deregulation of the Financial System

Asia-Pacific economies and their different financial regulatory systems have been impacted in different ways by the ongoing global financial crisis.

This seminar aims to share knowledge and experience from the Asia-Pacific, with its diverse policies and practices in financial regulation and deregulation providing sound bases for comparison and analyses.