Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2012
(4) On-site ODA Experience
Providing as many people as possible with opportunities to experience development cooperation by visiting at actual sites where ODA projects are implemented is one of the most effective ways to deepen their understanding of ODA. Japan also promotes support for on-site ODA observation through study tours (e.g. university seminars), or by teachers and representatives from local governments. In addition, partnerships with travel agencies to conduct the experience tours and observation tours are being strengthened. A new program, "International Cooperation Reporters" (implemented by JICA), began in 2011, in which the public observes actual ODA project sites and reports at various events after returning home. Reporters were sent to Kenya and Viet Nam in August 2011, and to Uganda and Sri Lanka in August 2012 to observe Japan's ODA projects (10 people are sent to each country).
An international cooperation reporter takes memos of an explanation while Kenyan children peer over her shoulder. (Photo: Koji Sato/JICA)