Do you know that October 6th is designated in Japan as “International Cooperation Day"?

On this day in 1954, the Japanese government decided to join the Colombo Plan and started the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries. Since 1955, Japan has been providing technical cooperation such as accepting trainees from overseas and dispatching experts. To commemorate this initiative, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) designated October 6 as "International Cooperation Day" in 1987 to promote public understanding and participation in international cooperation. 

Since its establishment as the Tropical Agricultural Research Center (TARC) in 1970, JIRCAS has been a front runner in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in tropical or subtropical regions and other developing regions for half a century and is currently conducting joint research with 66 research institutes in 29 countries. In addition, in order to promote joint research with research institutes in these regions, we are implementing a program for inviting administrators and researchers of joint research projects to Japan. A total of 2,422 administrators and researchers from 83 countries have been invited so far.

In anticipation of global issues that will continue to grow in importance, JIRCAS will hold an international symposium focusing on the importance of international joint research in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in developing regions. At this symposium, we will discuss important research issues in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in developing regions, on the challenges affecting the global food system, including those emerging with and likely to evolve after the COVID-19 period, together with joint research institutes. In addition, JIRCAS and its partners will exchange views and opinions on how to develop an effective, impact-oriented mode of international research collaboration. We are looking forward to your participation.

Please refer to the 50th Anniversary page for the program and other details. 

https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/symposium/2020/e20201110

Registration: Oct 8 (Thu) 13:00 -- Nov 4 (Thu) 17:00　

URL: 　https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/form/intlsymp2020

（Note）Colombo Plan：

The Colombo Plan for Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific was established in January 1950 at the Commonwealth Conference on Foreign Affairs held in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). It was initially conceived as a cooperative venture for the economic and social advancement within a group of seven Commonwealth nations, but has grown into an inter governmental organisation of 27 members including non-Commonwealth countries, with the addition of the United States, Japan and Southeast Asian countries. 

Reference：https://colombo-plan.org

Contributor: KANAMORI Norihito (Research Strategy Office)