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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (49th Issue / Apr 27, 2006)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh -
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This E-Bulletin is to share updated information and
stories about
Japan-Bangladesh relations with as many people as
possible. If your friends
are interested in subscription, please email us at
mail@embjp.accesstel.net
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[Table of Contents]
[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi
"For the Bright Future of Bangladesh"
[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Ambassador Horiguchi's Annual Policy Speech (May 3,
Dhaka)
* Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (May 5, Dhaka)
* Seminar "Psychology of Vision" (May 11-13, Dhaka)
[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* VARD Eye Hospital-cum-Health Center (Apr 25, Sunamgonj)
* DPHE Central Laboratory for Water Quality Examination
(Apr 18, Mohakhali)
* 13th Special National Immunization Day (Apr 15, Dhaka)
[4] Information
* White Paper on Official Development Assistance (ODA)
2005
[5] Special Essay "Hunger Free World, a Japanese NGO
Working for Creating a
Self-Reliant Bangladesh"
(Md. Ataur Rahman, Country Director, Hunger Free World)
[6] Editor's Note
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[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi
"For the Bright Future of Bangladesh"
I am going to leave my post soon upon completion of my
three-year assignment
here. This is the 49th issue of the Embassy's E-Bulletin,
which we
initiated in June, 2004. I would like take this
opportunity to express my
sincere gratitude to both our Japanese and Bangladeshi
readers for sharing
their thoughts and insights on my messages.
Soon after I arrived here three years ago, I was
impressed with the high
level analytical abilities of the Bangladeshi
intellectuals and the high
degree of freedom that press enjoys in this country. I
often came across
articles written by scholars and opinion leaders in
analyzing problems and
suggesting effective solutions.
Later on, I noticed that those excellent suggestions had
had little impact
on government's policies though the local newspapers were
bringing up them
repeatedly. Some people told me that it was because the
decision-making
mechanism within the government and/or each political
party was not always
democratic or participatory, and therefore, did not
easily adopt ideas from
the outside. Others pointed out that intellectuals of
this country were
complacent about their status as an armchair critic, who
had developed
frustration over the current situation, and did not take
a step forward to
change the situation.
These points of view make the suggestions put forward by
Prof. Muhammad
Yunus ground breaking as he called for a "Competent
Candidate Movement" on
February 4th, and consequently, a civic group was
established with the aim
of launching the movement in late March. This is
remarkable in terms of the
fact that the intellectuals of this country have taken an
action for the
first time though their strategy to select competent
candidates has drawn
some criticism. They can mobilize the collective wisdom
to discuss effective
tactics later on. It is important that they grow this
movement to realize
mid-and long-term political reforms, not confined to
encouraging free and
fair elections alone.
I am very pleased to witness such a movement like this
initiated by the
intellectuals of Bangladesh. If not, I would probably
have left this country
with a wrong perception about them.
Bangladesh has realized remarkable development for these
three years. The
growing private sector; the rising percentage of
children's enrollment in
primary education; bridging the gender gap; and
development of
communications infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and
flyovers; are a
few success stories. If the above-mentioned movement
eliminates
confrontational politics, which hinders the potential of
Bangladesh from
being unlocked, Bangladesh should achieve more
development and will see the
bright future ahead. I sincerely wish that the
Bangladeshi people realize
this future with their own hands.
I intend to keep my eyes on the future of this country
after my return to
Japan. I may have an opportunity to see you in person
somewhere, but today I
would like to make my final remark by wishing you best
health and spirit.
(Past messages from Ambassador Horiguchi)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/ebulletin.htm
(These messages were compiled in a single booklet.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/makingabridge2.pdf
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[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Ambassador Horiguchi's Annual Policy Speech (May 3,
Dhaka)
Ambassador Horiguchi will make an annual policy speech
"For the Bright
Future of Bangladesh and Japan-Bangladesh Relations" at
the National Press
Club on Wednesday, May 4 at 5pm. He will discuss next
steps that Japan and
Bangladesh can take together in order to enhance
bilateral relationship.
The text of his last policy speech is available at the
following website:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/sp_npc040505.htm
* Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (May 5, Dhaka)
The Japan Bangladesh Friendship Medical Services Ltd.
Will organize the
opening ceremony of the Japan Bangladesh Friendship
Hospital Danmondi Branch
at its premise on Friday, May 5 at 11am. Ambassador
Horiguchi will attend
the ceremony to celebrate the occasion.
* Seminar "Psychology of Vision" (May 11-13, Dhaka)
The Hunger Free World will organize a seminar "Psychology
of Vision" from
May 11 to 13. Ms. Hiromi Kurihara, a trainer and
therapist visiting from
Japan, will give a lecture. She is the President of
Cocoro no Vitamin
(vitamin for your heart), a non-profit organization, and
author of numerous
books.
The purpose of this seminar is to promote healing and
visionary leadership
development in the Bangladeshi culture. It fosters
understanding, conflict
resolution, and a bridge between different cultures and
provides a roadmap
and tools to facilitate positive changes.
Course time:
Thursday, May 11: 5-8pm
Friday & Saturday, May 12 & 13: 9am-7pm
For more information, please contact the Hunger Free
World.
Tel: 812-1280, 01711-526979
E-mail:
vision2021@qmail.com
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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* VARD Eye Hospital-cum-Health Center (Apr 25, Sunamgonj)
The opening ceremony of (Voluntary Association for Rural
Development) VARD
Eye Hospital-cum-Health Center was held on April 25 in
Iabalnogar,
Sunamgonj. This center was constructed with financial
assistance from the
Government of Japan and supported by Sights Saver
International (SSI).
Ambassador Horiguchi and other distinguished guests
congratulated the
opening.
The Government of Japan provided VARD with a grassroots
assistance to
construct the ground and the first floors of the Eye
Hospital-cum-Health
center. After the success of treating 50,000 patients
since January 2003,
Japan decided to grant 4.4 million taka to improve its
facilities.
Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/sp_vard250406.htm
* DPHE Central Laboratory for Water Quality Examination
(Apr 18, Mohakhali)
The Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE)
Central Laboratory
was inaugurated on April 18 at its premise in Mohakhali.
Minister for LGRD
and Cooperatives, H.E. Mr. Abdul Mannnan Bhuiyan,
Ambassador Horiguchi, and
other distinguished guests were present. The Laboratory
aims at
strengthening water quality examination system in
Bangladesh.
It was built under the Japan's Grant Assistance project
for "Strengthening
Water Quality Examination System of Bangladesh." The
project also includes
upgrading facilities of two laboratories in Jhenaida and
Naoakhali and
procurement of modern equipments at these laboratories.
(Press release regarding the ceremony)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/pr_dphe180406.pdf
* 13th Special National Immunization Day (Apr 15, Dhaka)
The inaugural ceremony of the 13th Special National
Immunization Day was
held in the Clinic Room of EPI Bhaban on April 15.
Minister for Health and
Family Welfare, H.E. Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, MP,
inaugurated the
function, and Ambassador Horiguchi was present.
The Government of Japan has provided about US$45 million
to the Expanded
Program of Immunization (EPI) with the aim of eradication
polio in
Bangladesh since 1996. In addition to medicine and
financial assistance,
Japan has provided technical and other supports through
activities of Japan
Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). Currently, seven
JOCVs are engaged
in immunization work in Banlgadesh.
Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/sp_polio150406.htm
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[4] Information
* White Paper on Official Development Assistance (ODA)
2005
"White Paper on Official Development Assistance (ODA)
2005" is now available
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan's website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/white/2005/index.htm
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[5] Special Essay "Hunger Free World, a Japanese NGO
Working for Creating a
Self-Reliant Bangladesh"
(Md. Ataur Rahman, Country Director, Hunger Free World)
In spite of a great deal of progress achieved in
Bangladesh, the country
still has a serious challenge of hunger and poverty.
According to the
Bangladesh MDG Progress Report, the country has nearly 63
million poor
people, the third largest number in the world after China
and India, and one
of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world.
The proportion of underweight children in Bangladesh is
16 percent higher
than 16 other Asian countries at similar levels of per
capita GDP. However,
I believe that "Hunger and Poverty Free Bangladesh" is
still possible.
The Hunger Free World (HFW), a non profit Japanese
organization, has been
working in Bangladesh to help the local people to create
a self-reliant
future by themselves.
Under the principle of "Creating Together, Working
Together", HFW inspires
and mobilizes the villagers and creates an environment in
which they can
create a sustainable future of their own. To reach the
poorest among the
poor, HFW is currently working in Rajshahi, which holds
the highest poverty
rate, Khulna and Dhaka divisions.
HFW recognizes villagers as partners and lays much stress
on their
priorities and leadership. The foundation of HFW stands
on the spirit of
voluntarism. We strongly believe that a sustainable
development can only be
achieved through the people's own initiative. We have a
big group of youth &
women volunteers.
Realizing hunger and poverty free Bangladesh by 2021 is
our goal. The year
of 2021 is the 50th anniversary of the independence. To
achieve this goal,
HFW has built two strategies, advocacy and project
implementation at
grassroots level.
As a member of civil society, HFW is mostly funded by
individuals from Japan
and Bangladesh. Hundreds of Japanese including elementary
school students
are supporting our activities. They not only donate money
but also take part
in various cultural exchanges between the two nations.
For example, Ms.
Hiroko Kobayashi organized exhibitions in Japan
displaying photos that she
took in Bangladesh and then, donated the profits to help
Bangladeshi girls
to continue their education. There are many more examples
of such good
deeds.
This year the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
supported HFW to set up a
"Center for Organic Farming" in Boda, Panchagarh to
promote sustainable
agriculture. The COF aims at demonstrating the benefit of
organic farming
and at enabling farmers to receive training.
Japan has been the biggest Development Partner of
Bangladesh since its
independence. Not only the Government of Japan but also
the Japanese
citizens are playing a great role in socio-economic
development of
Bangladesh. There are many Japanese Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers (JOCV)
and other volunteers are cooperating with Bangladeshi
people. Also,
numerous Japanese NGO's are working all over the country.
Unfortunately, there is no effective network among those
individuals or
organizations. HFW firmly believes that a network among
Japanese NGOs,
volunteers and other development partners should be
greatly beneficial to
all. Such a network will enhance the efficient and
effective use of our
resources. We need to work together to build sustainable
foundation.
Bangladesh was born thanks to the sacrifices of millions
of souls in 1971.
We wish that the second generation of freedom fighters
will be able to end
hunger and poverty by 2021 through working together and
celebrate the Golden
Jubilee of Independence. Let's extend our love and
cooperation to beloved
Bangladeshi people.
Let me conclude this article with the comments made by
H.E. Mr. Shin
Sakurai, Member of the House of Councilors of Japan:
"Creating a hunger free
Bangladesh is possible, if politics can be driven towards
achieving it and
if this country can ensure the political commitment to
it."
(Hunger Free World)
http://www.hungerfree.net/english/index.html
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[6] Editor's Note
I recently obtained two works of a Bangladeshi
photographer. One of them
captures a Bangladeshi woman doing her routine laundry in
the river. Though
the photographer's intention might be to show a
painstaking duty that she
has to go through everyday, the photo still expresses the
beauty of her and
the surrounding nature.
Editor, Saori Nagase
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