2 Efforts for Spreading Awareness of Development Cooperation
(1) Efforts for Information Disclosure and Promoting Public Understanding and Support
In order to deepen the public understanding and support for the sustainable implementation of development cooperation based on the Development Cooperation Charter, the Government of Japan is proactively engaged in encouraging discussion and dialogue on development cooperation, promoting development education, and disclosing and disseminating information regarding the current status of development cooperation. In addition, MOFA has further strengthened its efforts based on one of the recommendations of the Advisory Board for ODA, “Improve Japanese citizens’ understanding and recognition of ODA.” In recent years, MOFA also provides opportunities for many ranges of Japanese nationals to directly participate in development assistance in developing countries and to experience ODA field work, through disseminating information to various regions and a wide range of people. At the same time, Japan recognizes the importance of strengthening human resources development and foundations of knowledge, in order to respond appropriately to the increasing diversity and complexity of development issues. Japanese diplomatic missions and JICA overseas offices are making coordinated efforts on public relations activities in developing countries, aiming to enhance understanding in the international community toward the concept of Japan’s development cooperation.
A. Strengthening Public Relations, Information Disclosure, and Information Dissemination
A visitor giving a high five to ODA-Man at “Global Festa JAPAN 2019”(September 2019)
MOFA and JICA are striving to release and disseminate accurate information by linking to each other’s ODA-related websites(Note7) MOFA also publishes an ODA email newsletter, which introduces actual onsite experiences and episodes on development cooperation, provided by the staff of Japan’s overseas diplomatic missions, members of JICA, employees of NGOs, staff of international organizations, employees of private companies and more stationed in the field. MOFA also conducts public relations using social networking media such as Twitter.
In addition, MOFA is engaged in PR efforts using various media, to promote public interest and understanding toward international cooperation. In 2019, MOFA continued to produce animated video contents, including the series of “Go! ODA-Man” and a simulation game “You can also be ‘ODA-Man’!” using the ODA PR character “ODA-Man” featured in the popular anime “Eagle Talon.” In these video contents, MOFA introduces the role and purpose of ODA and development cooperation projects that are currently carried out around the world in an easy-to-understand manner. These contents were published on the MOFA website, and broadcast on the Tokyo Metro’s Train Channel and advertisements, as part of the public relations activities in order to receive wide support from Japanese people (see also “ODA Topics”).
Furthermore, one of Japan’s largest international cooperation events called “Global Festa JAPAN” is held every year around the time of International Cooperation Day (October 6), jointly hosted by MOFA, JICA and the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC). In 2019, the event was held at Symbol Promenade park in Odaiba, Tokyo, on Saturday September 28 and Sunday September 29. Over 250 entities, including NGOs, NPOs, international organizations, embassies in Tokyo, and enterprises took part in the event, which welcomed 183,743 visitors throughout the two days.
Moreover, Japanese diplomatic missions conduct public relations activities abroad to promote a deeper understanding of Japan’s proactive international contribution through ODA. Specifically, they disseminate information through local news media by issuing press releases on the occasion of signings and handover ceremonies related to development cooperation. The diplomatic missions also organize site-visit tours of Japan’s development cooperation projects for the local media to provide opportunities for them to report on Japan’s cooperation initiatives. In addition, the diplomatic missions distribute the English version of the White Paper on Development Cooperation to leading figures in their stationed countries to introduce Japan’s development cooperation, host various lectures by officials of the embassies, as well as publish and distribute information in both English and local languages via websites, PR pamphlets, and other sources of information.
B. Information Disclosure on Implementation and Evaluation of ODA
In 2010, the “ODA Mieru-ka Site” (a website for visualization of ODA) was launched in the JICA website to provide a concise explanation of the overview and outcome of ODA projects, and to further enhance public understanding and support for ODA. JICA publishes photographs, ex-ante/ex-post evaluations, and other related information on the website about ODA loan, grant aid, and technical cooperation projects out of all the ODA projects in the world, and continues its efforts to increase dissemination of ODA-related information.
Likewise, the MOFA website publishes a list of summaries of the specific achievements and lessons from the past projects funded by Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects and Cultural Grant Assistance projects, including projects which proved to be effective or deficient, in order to promote more effective implementation of ODA.
C. Promotion of Development Education
A MOFA official giving an ODA lecture at Nantan Municipal Yagi Junior High School in Kyoto (November 2019)
MOFA organizes the “ODA Delivery Lecture,” which provides information and explanations about Japan’s international cooperation and ODA by sending Ministry officials as lecturers to junior high and high schools, universities, NGOs, and other places. Similarly, in order to support development education, JICA also provides the “International Cooperation Delivery Lecture,” which sends former Japan Overseas Cooperation volunteers and others as lecturers, and promotes cross-cultural and international understanding by giving a talk on their experience and life in developing countries, upon requests from schools and other organizations. JICA also organizes “Visit JICA,” which welcomes visits by schools to domestic offices and the showcase facilities “JICA Global Plazas” located in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Sapporo. In addition, JICA conducts the “JICA Essay Contest on International Cooperation for Junior and Senior High School Students.” For teachers, JICA also provides training programs, such as the “Training Program for Development Education Leaders” and the “Study Tour Program for Teachers” in which teachers are dispatched to developing countries with the aim of utilizing their overseas experiences for teaching.
D. On-site ODA Experience
Providing opportunities to experience development cooperation sites and the actual situation of ODA for as many people as possible, is one of the most effective ways to foster public understanding of ODA. In this respect, JICA is striving to support the dispatch of teachers and local government officials to ODA project sites.
E. Promotion of Discussion and Dialogue
The Government of Japan is holding information sessions across Japan regarding ODA-related initiatives including assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises through ODA projects. Likewise, lectures and symposiums are held to introduce trends in international cooperation and Japan’s efforts, offering opportunities to engage in dialogue with members of the public who have an interest in how Japan’s foreign policy and ODA should be implemented.
Furthermore, JICA organizes roundtables and lectures with representatives from local industries, government officials, experts, and local university and school staff, by utilizing its domestic regional offices. Through these efforts, JICA aims to encourage the sharing of the experience of international cooperation from different regions of Japan, as well as to promote regional revitalization.
- Note 7 : Please refer to the following websites (in Japanese only):
MOFA’s ODA Website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/index.html
JICA: https://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html
ODA Mieru-ka Site (a website for visualization of ODA): http://www.jica.go.jp/oda