Faculty of Economics: Hideharu Tachibana of JICA Delivers Special Lecture in International Cooperation Theory Class

Tachibana began the lecture by asking what international cooperation is. He explained that international cooperation supports countries and people in developing regions in their efforts to maintain peace, stability, and development of the entire global society. JICA plays a leading role in these efforts and is responsible for implementing Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance). It is committed to fostering both “individuals and nations” in developing countries.
JICA acts as a “problem-solving producer” by providing tailored international cooperation that takes into account the specific circumstances of each country. Guided by its core principles of “human security” and “quality growth,” JICA pursues a vision of “forging bonds of trust across the world.”

Tachibana shared his experience conducting a market survey in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, during his time as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JICA volunteer). Like many other volunteers, he reflected, “I worked with local people and felt more supported by them rather than being supportive,” and “I learned far more from them than I was able to teach.” Tachibana’s experience was no exception to these reflections.

Tachibana further explained the “complex web of crises” that includes a range of global issues such as climate change, infectious diseases, conflict, and inflation. He noted that the poorest populations in developing countries are often the most vulnerable to these challenges. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in line with the guiding principle of “human security.“ “Human security” is an idea that protects all people’s rights to live with dignity. At this point, Tachibana quoted the phrase “A friend in need is a friend indeed” to underscore how this mindset is important when engaging in international cooperation.

At the end of the lecture, Tachibana emphasized the importance of building cooperative relationships with the “Global South,” which is projected to account for approximately two-thirds of the world’s population by 2050. He said that JICA identifies issues faced on the ground in developing countries and works collaboratively in diverse environments to address social challenges. Through these efforts, JICA seeks to nurture human resources who can lead the societies of the future. He also introduced the JICA Global Agenda, covering 20 fields from the 4 perspectives of “Prosperity,” “People,” “Peace,” and “Planet.” Tachibana concluded his lecture with a message to students; “Countless opportunities lie ahead of you. Please continue exploring who you can become and what you can do.”

●The lecture was very interesting. I had the opportunity to hear firsthand about Mr. Tachibana’s experiences— what he thought and how he acted. He explained not only the academic aspects but also the local realities by using pictures, so I could gain an in-depth understanding of JICA and the JICA volunteers. From now on, I want to engage in international cooperation by considering not only my own perspective but also that of the others, so that we can learn from each other. (Year 4, Faculty of Economics)

●I learned a lot about Mr. Tachibana’s experience at JICA and the global situation through his personal experiences. The lecture reinforced my desire to take on the challenge of joining the JICA volunteers, which I have been interested in for a while. (Year 3, Faculty of Economics)

●I learned about the career paths available after returning from the JICA volunteers. I also gained insight into how we can develop ourselves by being volunteer members. Joining the program would surely be one valuable option for my future. In my future, I want to engage in business activities that maximize the value of developing countries. (Year 3, Faculty of Economics)

●After listening to the lecture, I became very interested in the JICA volunteers, which provide humanitarian support on the frontline. I was also impressed to learn that many returned volunteers are playing active roles, contributing to their fields around the world. When I heard that a returned volunteer had been selected for Forbes Japan’s the NEXT 100 list in the category of “People Who Can Save the World,” I had no doubt that their tenacious efforts and high level of expertise are driving forces of global change. I, myself, am thinking of working on the frontlines of international cooperation in the future. I am already in my third year and starting to think seriously about my career. While studying international cooperation in the Hayashi seminar, I sometimes ask myself, “Is what I’m studying truly useful for people in desperate need?” I realized how important it is to take action. As Mr. Tachibana told us, I want to be a considerate person whom others can trust, someone who is supported and accepted by those around me. I will do my best to improve myself during the remainder of my campus life and prepare to fully demonstrate my abilities once I enter society. (Year 3, Faculty of Commerce)