Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2011
(5) Human Resources Development and Development Research
The increased diversity and complexity of development issues has made it even more necessary to develop and secure capable human resources who have a high level of knowledge, abundant experience, and the ability to communicate in foreign languages, as well as to implement research activities to determine what is needed by developing countries and to gain an appropriate understanding of trends in the international community.
The Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID was established in 1990 as an organization for the promotion of the concept of an international development university. FASID has provided training and education of human resources engaged in aid, as well as investigation and research projects, and has partnered with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) to conduct the International Development Studies (IDS) master's program. However, the review of public-benefit corporations conducted in May 2010, viewed that the role of FASID had been fulfilled, and the aforementioned projects that had been consigned to the organization by MOFA should be terminated. On the other hand, this does not change the fact that the development of human resources and investigation/research in development areas are highly important, so MOFA will continue to implement projects after thoroughly reviewing the contents and consignment methods.
In 2003, JICA established the International Cooperation Personnel Registration System in order to recruit and utilize human resources who possess specialized knowledge and diverse experience. The system provides information on job opportunities at JICA, NGOs, international organizations, and other groups related to international cooperation, as well as information on training and seminars, and career counseling. Further, Senior Advisor System is used to secure professional human resources who have highly specialized abilities and abundant experience working in developing countries, while the Associate Specialist System has been established to enhance the ability of young people who have a certain degree of expertise but limited experience. The JICA Research Institute, established in October 2008, conducts empirical and policy researches using internationally recognized methodologies based on the actual experience as an aid agency, while addressing information to the governments of developing countries and to the international aid community.