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Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding Recruitment of Ms. Kumiko Katayama, Graduate of the FY2008 Program, to the IOM (International Office for Migration) Sri Lanka Office

July 7, 2009
Japanese

  1. Ms. Kumiko Katayama, graduate of the FY2008 Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding, has been recruited by the International Office for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka Office. Arriving in Sri Lanka on July 6, she will be engaged in the project by IOM to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka to which the Government of Japan has contributed one million US dollars.
     
  2. In May 2009, the 25 year long conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) came to an end. Now, Sri Lanka needs peacebuilding support from the international community, including aid to the approximately 280,000 IDPs.
     
  3. The Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding is a program which aims to develop Japanese and other Asian civilian personnel in the field of peacebuilding. Appointment of its graduate to a position in a project for the support of IDPs in Sri Lanka, a country currently in  need for peacebuilding support from the international community shows that Japan’s efforts in developing human resource for peacebuiding are steadily advancing.

(References)

  1. The Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding
    The Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding is a program which started in FY2007 and is commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The program aims to develop Japanese and other Asian civilian personnel in the field of peacebuilding. It is implemented mainly by Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center (HPC) located in Hiroshima. Overseas attachment is implemented by UN Volunteers Programme (UNV). The main pillars of the program are 1) coursework in Japan, 2) overseas attachment and 3) career development support. In the past two years, 60 personnel have been developed (30 Japanese personnel and 28 personnel from other Asian countries).

    In FY 2009, the program is expanded mainly in following points
    1) In addition to the “Primary Course,” a “Senior Specialist Course” and a “Seminar on Basic Peacebuilding” are newly established.
    2) course Period for Overseas Attachment is extended.
     
  2. IOM Project to support IDPs
    In order to support the IDPs resulting from the conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), IOM provides tents, water sanitation centers, and health service facilities. Japan has contributed one million US dollars for the provision of shelters and tents.

    As of July, 2009 24 Japanese nationals are working in the IOM. In addition to Sri Lanka, they are working in Pakistan, Iran, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, and Indonesia (Aceh).
     
  3. Profile of Ms. Kumiko Katayama
    Prior to the participation in the program, she served in Secretariat of Japan Disaster Relief Team of JICA and the NPO Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi. She participated in the FY2008 Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding completing overseas attachment at the IOM Myanmar office.
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