Study on Human Resources Development in International Cooperation for Peace

Summary of the "Recommendation" by the advisory group

1. Securing of Human Resources

• Expansion of the potential population and accumulation of a large number of human resources are important for providing constant supply of human resources.
• Increase of opportunities for information provision and enhance coordination among databases is required.
• Improvement of a system for the entire employment structure of Japan including issues such as the understanding of the workplace on engaging in international cooperation for peace as well as social reintegration should be considered.
• Compilation of a list of individuals who were engaged in international cooperation peace activities will be useful as a tool for information provision.
• Dispatch of public employees in the area of international cooperation for peace should be promoted.
• Gaining the understanding of the public on the need for safety measures under the cooperation of the related parties is important.

2. Fostering of Human Resources

• On-site experience is essential on top of learning the principles, languages and area studies at universities and other institutions in order to work and succeed in the area of international cooperation for peace.
• It is desirable to facilitate volunteer activities such as those performed by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in the area of international cooperation for peace as well as internships as academic credit.
• Vigorous acceptance of individuals with on-site experiences as lecturers at universities is also necessary.
• It is desirable to coordinate with knowledgeable overseas and international organizations and utilize training and other activities.
• It is desirable to enrich teachers and lectures on international cooperation for peace as well as for on-site workers to improve the education fora.
• It is also important to enhance human resources development targeting, not only students or young generation, but also people that are working in Japanese society.
• Compilation of a curriculum to be acquired by those personnel who are engaged in international cooperation for peace is necessary in the future.
• It is significant, even from the perspective of human resources exchange, to conduct training with knowledgeable foreign personnel on areas including safety measures.

3. Utilization of Human Resources

• The career path for individuals with on-site experience is also a serious issue. It is important to develop an environment in which these workers may work in Japan at universities or as experts on development.
• It is essential to secure an organic dispatch system under the cooperation of the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in coordination with other international organizations.
• It is important to facilitate the dispatch of Japanese volunteers to the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) and the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program as well as to provide assistance so that these personnel will be employed as full-time employees at international organizations after the termination of such Program.
• In the event of the Government of Japan providing voluntary contributions in the area of international cooperation for peace, it is desirable for the Government from the early stages to recruit Japanese employees of the level and in number appropriate to the level of Japan's financial contribution.
• Assistance is necessary for human resources development programs in the area of international cooperation for peace that targets people that are working in Japanese society.
• As part of its assistance to the Japanese NGOs, the Government should consider to provide for the expenses related to the dispatch of its staff members in the interest of enhancing their first-hand experience.
• It is important to have sufficient safety measures at different levels--individual, dispatch group, government--and consultations among related parties.

4. Following-up the Entire Recommendations submitted by the "Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace (AGICP)" at the end of 2002

• In the "Action Plan," a follow-up of the Recommendations the AGICP was conducted on the modality of human resource development in the civil sector. Moreover, a follow-up should also be conducted on the overall human resources development including of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and civilian police as pointed out in the Recommendations submitted by the AGICP.
• The Government should establish an organic mechanism concerning the entire area of international cooperation for peace.