Human Development Field
In the human development field, we provide technical cooperation in three sectors: (1) education (basic education, higher education, technical education and training), (2) social security (3) health. These are all fundamental and important issues in human life closely related to the concept of human security. They are also related to five* of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were adopted by the UN as being important for the future prosperity of humankind.
In the basic education area, we are working to increase the enrollment rate of students by encouraging community participation, and also to increase quality by improving teachers, education, textbooks, etc. In the educational administration area, we cooperate in the formulation of education development plans. In the non-formal education area, literacy education, which is important from the perspective of human security, is also supported.
Higher education and technical education and training are essential for economic development, and we support human development at universities to respond to the needs of the industrial world. From the perspective of peace building, programs related to social reintegration of ex-combatants are implemented as well.
In the social security sector, we provide cooperation for welfare enhancement to protect the socially vulnerable, medical and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, and occupational safety.
In the health sector, we implement projects related to infectious disease control such as avian influenza, SARS, HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal and child health to protect the health of women and children. In addition, we provide cooperation for improving vulnerable health administration systems in developing countries and developing human resources for health.
Through these activities, we aim to secure the existence, livelihood, and dignity of humankind within the meaning of human security in developing countries in the human development field.
* The MDGs related to human development are:
(1) Achieve universal primary education
(2) Promote gender equality and empowerment of women (elimination of gender disparity in education)
(3) Reduce child mortality
(4) Improve maternal health
(5) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.