Oct 27,1999 International symposium
Current Situation and Topics Regarding International
Cooperation Implemented by JICA in the Disabilities Field
Tomoko Taira
Global Issues Division, Planning and Evaluation Department Japan International Cooperation Agency
Japan’s Approach through Provision of ODA
（１）JICA Technical Cooperation Projects
（２）Grant Aid
（３）Contribution to International Agencies
Conclusion
１．Japan’s Approach through Provision of ODA (chart 1)
International cooperation implemented by Japan can be classified into four types: official development assistance (ODA), other official flows (OOF), private flow (PF), and NGOs.
Japan’s ODA can be further broken down into three areas: bilateral loans, bilateral grants, and aid through international agencies. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is responsible for studies and implementation promotion activities associated with technical cooperation and grant-aid projects implemented under bilateral grants. Today, I would like to present an outline of JICA technical cooperation projects related to the welfare of disabled people, the current situation regarding grant-aid cooperation and JICA’s contribution to international agencies, and studies and research conducted by JICA.
（１）JICA Technical Cooperation Projects (table 1)
JICA is engaged in technical cooperation directed at the welfare of disabled people that takes a number of forms, including: trainee acceptance projects, expert dispatch, project-type technical cooperation (which combines the trainee acceptance, expert dispatch, and equipment supply programs), dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and from 1997, the Community Empowerment Program.
【１】Trainee Acceptance Projects
From 1991 to 1998, a total of 490 trainees participated in group-training courses and individual training offered by JICA in the field of welfare for the disabled. Although the majority of these trainees participated in group-training courses, in FY1998 a number of country-specific training courses were implemented through funding provided by the revised budget; these courses included training of education for handicapped people directed at Thailand, and “Technical Training of Music Therapy for the Disabled” which targeted Malaysia. Currently 11 group-training courses are being implemented (including specially established courses), and 3 courses (“Leaders of Persons with Disabilities”, “Instructor Training of Esophageal Vocalization”, and “Leadership Training of Asian and Oceanian Deaf Persons) are especially relevant to persons with disabilities.
【２】Individual Expert Dispatch
In the 20 years since 1980, JICA has dispatched a total of 68 short- and long-term experts to work in the disabilities field. Most of these experts were of the short-term variety, and some of them had disabilities of their own.
【３】Project-type Technical Cooperation (table 2)
Five projects of this variety have been implemented since 1980. Currently preparations are being made for the establishment of a disabled persons’ rehabilitation center in Chile as a new project for next fiscal year. This project is being implemented through cooperation offered by the Japan National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled.
【４】Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
A total of 380 volunteers had been dispatched to work in the disabilities field by 1998.
Although the majority of the volunteers have been occupational therapists or physical therapists dispatched to facilities for disabled persons, or personnel such as care givers sent to support education of disabled children, in recent years there have been examples of volunteers being dispatched that specialize in the manufacture of prosthetics.
【５】Community Empowerment Program (table 3)
The Community Empowerment Program is an aid scheme that was newly introduced in 1997. One the program’s seven target fields is “support for the elderly, the disabled, and children”; currently 3 projects are under way in Asia that relate to this field. These three projects were approved in 1998.
【６】Partnership Program
This new program, which started in 1999, implements projects based on contracts signed between JICA and NGOs, universities and local governments. Future cooperation in the disabilities field is expected to be enhanced through partnerships with NGOs, which have considerable experience in this area.
【７】Basic Research
In 1995-96, JICA implemented phases I and II of “The Study on the Participation of Japanese Disabled People in International Cooperation Programs”, which were intended to study policies for promoting further participation in and sufficient consideration for the disabilities field. This study analyzed project implementation as well as aid needs with regard to the current status of disabled persons in developing countries and related policies. Based upon this analysis the study produced a set of policy recommendations to encourage the actual participation of Japanese nationals having disabilities in international cooperation.
JICA is currently working to expand technical cooperation related to welfare for the disabled in line with the recommendations produced by this study, and engaging in consideration of policies and action plans within its departments so that disabled persons in Japan can participate in technical cooperation projects.
There are 10 types of aid available under the grant aid scheme: 5 types of general grant aid and 5 that are not considered general grant aid. Among these types, I would like to give an outline of general project grant aid, grant aid for grass-roots projects, and cultural grants, as these three types are particularly connected with the disabilities field.
【１】General Project Grant Aid (table 4)
General project grant aid provides funds necessary for construction of facilities and maintenance of equipment and materials for countries having a per capita GNP of less that $1,505. Seven projects of this type have been implemented thus far in the disabilities field, all of which are related to construction of facilities and/or maintenance of equipment. Among them, five were implemented as follow-up to project-type technical cooperation.
【２】Grant Aid for Grass-roots Projects (tables 5-6)
Cooperation of this sort involves projects of relatively small scale. It provides funds for grass-roots-level projects implemented by NGOs, local public bodies, research/medical care agencies, etc. A major characteristic of this scheme that separates it from others is the fact that individual projects are not designed and implemented through government-to-government contact; they are instead based on a grant contract signed by the local Japanese embassy and organizations within the partner country. Because of this arrangement, the various needs of the partner country can be responded to in a quick manner. Many of the projects relating to the disabilities field involve funding for construction of schools for the disabled or vocational training facilities. The average amount of funding provided per project under this scheme amounts to about \4 million.
【３】Cultural Grants
Cultural grants provide funds necessary for purchase, transport, and installation of equipment and materials needed for the preservation of cultural assets, the presentation and exhibition of culturally significant arts, artifacts, etc., and the promotion of education and research. It is thought that, through this scheme, it may be possible to provide the equipment necessary for education of the disabled in the future.
（３）Contribution to International Agencies (tables 7-8)
In order to contribute to the Asian region in a manner consistent with Japan’s position in the international community, JICA is providing financial aid to the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) through the Japan-ESCAP Cooperation Fund.
In addition, JICA has provided a total of $1.85 million to ESCAP-implemented projects that are connected with disabled people since 1990 in an effort based on the resolutions of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. Furthermore, JICA is implementing cooperation for a project implemented by UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Center of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) whereby traveling teachers work to extend and improve special education in developing countries. JICA is also contributing to and supporting a trust fund for literacy education set up within the Asia-Pacific program that aims to extend basic education to every part of the region.
Up until now, projects that provide cooperation for the disabled in developing countries have accounted for only a very small percentage of all projects implemented under Japan’s ODA scheme, regardless of cooperation type. However, if one looks only at projects where close contact is made with local people through activities aimed at addressing specific needs, such as grant aid for grass-roots projects and dispatch of JOCVs, it becomes apparent that the number of projects and persons dispatched to work in this field is comparatively high.
In addition, cooperation in the past was primarily aimed at leaders for persons with disabilities, however in recent years the number of projects that target disabled persons themselves is increasing. This will be very significant in the future as the experiences of disabled persons themselves are put to use, and persons with disabilities begin to participate in on-site cooperation projects.
Regarding cooperation from NGOs, compared to the period prior to the International Year of Disabled Persons, a time in which these organizations were not particularly active in this area, the activities of NGOs have become extremely diversified. NGOs are responding to the needs of the disabled in developing countries, and while working with the disabled, NGOs are engaged in more concrete activities and research, and it can be said that exchanges between NGOs in a variety of areas are taking specific shape. For example, Japanese and local NGOs are actively implementing joint projects while working together to solve their problems, and the number of courses on specific themes and projects being implemented has grown. Furthermore, NGO operations are becoming more vigorous through such activities as the inclusion of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) in cooperation approaches and the implementation of on-site projects using government subsidies. The private sector (which includes business and NGOs) plays an extremely significant role in international cooperation in the field of welfare of the disabled, and JICA, for its part, intends to strive for stronger partnerships with the private sector in the future.