From Pacific Science Association (PSA), Okinawa

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Pacific Science Association(PSA) is an association established in 1920 having 80 years of history.  It is an association involving various scientific fields in the geographically wide area of Pacific.  Congress is held once in 4 years and InterCongress Conference is also held during that period.  It is an assembly including not only the natural science experts but also many from social science.

The Congress was held in Okinawa during 13th June～18th June.  Last time it was in Bangkok and there I was elected as chairman of the next Okinawa congress.  Therefore, I have the background of helping them during these 4 years.  However, it was not possible without the support of various people like President Morita of Ryukyu University, Dean Tsuchiya of the Science department, members of Okinawa university union, and Science Council of Japan, that we finally reached to the point of opening this gathering.  Thanks to their assistance we could also organize a 3 days joint meeting with Asia Science Council which was very good.  This Congress is growing to a fantastic meeting as His Royal Highness Akishino no Miya delivered a lecture and the chairperson of IPCC, Dr. Pachauri who is recently known world wide for his work on the climate change participated in the meeting.  I met Dr. Pachauri at various places and he has been invited for about 3 times in these few years for the meetings related to Science Council of Japan.

Her Royal Highness, Takamado no Miya also participated in the 3 days PSA congress where she addressed an opening ceremony with fluent ‘British English’ (She is a graduate of Cambridge university) (Photo1).  Her Royal Highness is also an honorary president of BirdLife International and has deep knowledge on wide fields. I heard that her Keynote Lecture at the Biodiversity session held on 15th was very impressive. Unfortunately, the lecture was given after I had left Okinawa, so I could not attend it in person.  At reception after the opening ceremony, this openhearted person was surrounded by many participants to talk about vast fields related to nature and life (Photo2).

Psa3_2Photo1: Her Royal Highness, Takamado no Miya addressing an opening ceremony. Dr. Doi, vice chairman of Science Council of Japan at my right.

Psa7Photo2: At reception of opening ceremony. From right, Her Royal Highness, Dr Shigeru Omi, Director of West Pacific Bureau of WHO, myself, Prof. Calestous Juma of Harvard university.

Board meeting of PSA and council meeting was held on 12th.  New directors were decided peacefully and next InterCongress Conference, 2009 was scheduled to be held in March at Tahiti of French Polynesia.  The Minister of Education of French Polynesia was also present at InterCongress Conference (Photo3). I had reunions with many friends and also participated in ‘Science Policy’ panel co-cosponsored by United Nations Institute of Advanced Studies (Photo4).

Vancouverpsaslovenia007Photo3: French Polynesia, Minister of Education and its group. 3rd from left is Minister of education, 1st is Mr. Burke Burnett of PSA Bureau, On my right is Ms. Nancy Lewis, Director of PSA Bureau.

Vancouverpsaslovenia009_2Photo4: Me just before leaving from Okinawa and my friends. From left, Mr. Rao of Science and Technology Department, India, Mr. Hassan, Director of Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), Mr. Zakri, Director of United Nations Institute of Advanced Studies, myself, Prof. Juma of Kennedy School of Harvard university and Dr. Cassim, President of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Regretfully, I left the meeting in between on 14th afternoon and took flight from Okinawa to attend G8 science advisor meeting to be held at Slovenia.

Nikkei Discussion with President Yonekura of Sumitomo Chemical and Professor Jeffrey Sachs

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Discussion with President Yonekura of Sumitomo Chemical and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who visied Japan in March is published on THE NIKKEI WEEKLY（Vol 45, No.2, 287／May 28, 2007）

"Extreme poverty can be ended, not in the time of our grandchildren, but our time."

Source:　THE NIKKEI WEEKLY（Vol 45, No.2, 287／May 28, 2007）

Sending out “Innovation 25” interim report

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I have been reading the comments in media and blog etc. about “Innovation 25” interim report which I mentioned in my column on February 28th. A discussion at Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy presented something similar to my thoughts which I expressed in my blog on March 12th. Finally university reform seems to be aiming at the same direction. However, expecting universities to carry out reforms spontaneously is difficult and it is not surprisingly so when you come to think about the history of their establishment. If you look at Mr.Deguchi’s DND , you will find lively discussions going on about this also. I appreciate it.

I am also sending out more messages. It is important to do so because it gives me an opportunity to listen to your thoughts and opinions. In the March 2007 edition of “JST News” I am talking about the “keyword” of innovation under the title of “A society that nurtures out of box talents, heterogeneity and nails that stick out”. It was broadcasted on cable television as part of government’s PR activities. I received calls saying “I saw you on TV”, but unfortunately I missed it because I am not a cable TV user.

In the column “economics classroom” of Nikkei newspaper March 27th edition, I touch upon the essence of innovation under the title “Social system reform is the essence”. The top headline is “Overcome environment and disparities; don’t fall behind in policy competition”, sub headlines are “A flat world that can not be turned back”, “Conquer the logic of suppliers and collaborate” and “Social entrepreneurs gaining importance”.

The executive summary of “Innovation 25”　English version is now posted on the web site of Prime Minster of Japan and His Cabinet. A bit late, but isn’t it something unique for a Japanese policy? British Ambassador Sir Fry whom I met at a certain gathering gave me an immediate response to this and told me that he has read the report. I think it is important to send out this kind of messages and to get feedbacks.

Anyway, Japan is not so visible from the outside. Government, private sectors and academic societies do not even think of sending messages out to the public. What are they to do in this world of flat and global era with such a stance, I wonder.  Every now and then I write and say “open your eyes, heart and think”. The world is indeed broad.

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs and Millennium Village

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In the year 2000, Millennium Development Goals（MDG） was announced by the United Nations and “MDG Report” was published in 2005 under the initiative of Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University. It is pointing out the goals for each country towards 2025.   Very challenging goals, but I am sure that they are great steps towards the future of the world. I  feel that the leadership of Prof. Sachs who managed this is truely amazing.
Dr. Sachs and I have been working together for a year. As you see in my postings of 2006/2/5 and 2006/1/28 ; we have been friends since our first encounter in Davos forum in 2005.   Just taking a look at his HP is enough to convince you how extraordinarily a brilliant person he is. At the age of 29 he became a professor at Harvard University and is a worldwide famous economist who has contributed tremendously in working out plans for the restoration of economy of Latin America and Russia. Last year he published a book by the title of “The End of Poverty” which was also highly appreciated throughout the world.  Japanese version is also available.  Magnitude of his activities is just incredible.

He is always smiling and has a relaxed attitude, not a trace of arrogance. Even now he acts as an advisor to many countries and especially travels to various African countries as  Advisor to the Government.  In addition, he is taking up the honor of BBC “Reith Lecture” this year. From what I have heard, it has been already recorded once.

Dr. Sachs came to Tokyo from March 4th to 6th   from North Europe and Berlin. After Tokyo he will be visiting Seoul and Beijing. He requested me to arrange for various meetings in the available timeframe, which naturally summed up to a bulk of work for us. The purpose of the visit was to thank for the contribution of Japan and ask for further support for Africa. Do you know why? Because, he has started Millennium Village Project (MVP) to help achieve this difficult goal as much as possible through his own effort.   First, he started with a village in Ethiopia and Kenya.  The New York Academy of Sciences covers this story in a moving article "It Takes A Village" .

His wife is Dr. Sonia Ehrlich Sachs, a great granddaughter of Dr. Paul Ehrlich. As you know, Dr. Paul Ehrlich was the mentor of Sahachiro Hata.  Together, they discovered the first chemical compound Salvarsan (a specific remedy that works against spirochete causing syphilis) which is effective on infectious disease. He received a Nobel Prize in 1908. Dr. Sonia is a pediatrician but she has completed MPH (Master of Public Health) and is now working as superintendent of MVP.  Truely amazing! 

At the Millennium Summit of the United Nations held in September 2005, only Japanese government has offered to support MVP in 8 other places (Prime Minister Mr. Koizumi was there to participate). It’s a wonderful international contribution but the news was not much told in Japanese newspapers. Just before the general meeting of United Nations, I received an e-mail from the associates of Prof. Sachs saying "Really wonderful job and we are very much impressed”. Since then, I am telling about “MVP and contributions of Japan” in every occasion; domestic and international.

With the help of Japan, funds were raized for MVP of Prof. Sachs and currently 12 MVPs are conducted in Africa.

Though the stay of Prof. Sachs was short, we managed to have him visit Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Vice-minister of Health(Mr. Takemi), Dr. Sadako Ogata, chairman of JICA, and foreign affairs dignitaries. I also arranged several interviews including  an interview with Mr. Yonekura, director of Sumitomo chemicals (covered in Nikkei, a major newspaper among the Japanese business establishment) which I served as a host. Dr. Sachs was very happy with those schedules of 3 days. Many thanks to all the people concerned for their great support. I think you will be finding  articles on this at various places. The photograph is of Prof. Sachs, NPO colleague Dr. James Kondo and me.

Through this, I am aiming to spread the wonderful contribution of Japan, especially in Africa, to all the citizens of the nation and to the world with Prof.Sachs.

By the way, Sumitomo Chemicals is a worldwide successful company, producing 10 million mosquito nets called “Bed Net (Olyset Nets)” per year. This innovative net, which prevents malaria, is supplied to Africa. It is also being used in MVPs. It reduces malaria and keep children healthy thereby improving their productivity. Education and food production is also increasing. Moreover, there are 2 manufacturing factories in Africa and 1 each in Vietnam and China. Employments are provided to these countries and the employees are also doing their work with pride of contributing this product to Africa. This story is introduced in the interview with Prof. Sachs which I will post soon. Please look forward to it.

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Photo：Prof. Sachs at the center

From Davos (1)

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I have returned to Davos, Switzerland again this year.  I arrived on the evening of January 23, after climbing into a plane around noon in London to fly out to Zurich.  It’s my seventh year in a row to attend the annual conference in Davos officially known as the World Economic Forum.   I have posted on this blog what took place at past conferences in 2003, 2004 and 2006.  The scenery on the way looked a lot less wintery than in previous years, with only some patches of snow on the roads and mountains.  Other cities I’ve visited since the beginning of the year like Washington DC, Geneva and London have also been warm.

Right after arriving I completed my conference registration and checked into my hotel room.  It’s always difficult to choose which session to attend with so many interesting workshops and panels on the program.  I decided to rest and skip the evening reception held by the conference chairman, Dr. Klaus Schwab, to prepare myself for a full day tomorrow.

On January 24, I started out going around conference halls, doing the routine of shaking hands and saying, “Hey, what’s up?” as I bumped into friends and acquaintances like Dr. Lester Brown.  I met so many other people too. 

At 10 AM I attended a session under the inspiring title “Make Green Pay.” (I think the naming is very clever.)  The debate hosted by CNBC was being recorded for broadcast.  A panel debated whether a free market solution is the right way for energy and other policies amid climate change, or if there should be greater government intervention.  Members of the panel were split into Pros vs Cons.  Each person was given 5 minutes to argue over one question, then one minute to drill an opponent, and finally opened up the floor to questions.

Q1. Nuclear energy and clean coal are the only viable alternatives to oil: Yes or No
Q2. Markets are superior to regulation in leading corporations towards “greener” operations: Yes or No
Q3. A global carbon tax will do more harm than good?

Very interesting questions, and so were the panelists.  They include Dr. Daniel Esty, Director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and Sir Nicholas Stern who is author of the “Stern Report.”  I sent an email later to Sir Nicholas whom I was supposed to see in London.  The green debate seemed to signal how the issue of climate change and global warming will be high on the agenda for world business leaders this year.  Did anyone catch the program?  It was apparently aired in Europe, North America and Asia some time between January 26 and 28. 

I met many other people during the lunch buffet too.  Dr. Heizo Takenaka says he will be at the conference this year for 4 or 5 days. It was encouraging to hear that. Also on this day, Dr. Yoko Ishikura who is my co-author of the book “Sekai-kyu no kyaria no tsukurikata (How to Build a World Class Career)” and Dr. James Kondo who is a colleague of mine at the Health Policy Institute, Japan served as moderators of panels.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend either one due to schedule conflict. 

In my next posting on this blog, I intend to put up some images from the conference.  I would like to start off here with a photo from a session with former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami.  On his left is Princess Lolwah Al Faisal.  The person on the far left is three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman who is a NY Times columnist known for books like “The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century (2005)” and “The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization (1999).” 

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Meeting with the President of Kenya

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Today I had a 2 hours meeting with President Kibaki of Kenya. I understand that the country was in much confusion 4 years ago when the former President was ruling the country, but now situations are getting better. President Kibaki is a reformist since then. He started our conversation by saying “Don’t hesitate to address any issue” and recognizing the importance of this WHO Commission, he ordered to organize a committee in Kenya. There are only 2 countries in the world, Brazil and Kenya, whose head of the state have directly organized such committee domestically, to deal with WHO CSDH（Commission for Social Determinants of Health）. Since Kenya’s political situation is relatively stable in Africa, Kenya may become a model case for Africa’s policy, and he said that it is also for Kenya’s benefit to do so.

To the slum
In the afternoon, I went to a slum called Kibera in the suburbs of Nairobi with Ms.Ngilu, Minister of Health. I heard that half a million people live here, but this place is totally unbelievable. They say many people live in this small “house” made by mud and corrugated roof with no window. There is no toilet or kitchen in this “house”. Electricity and water supply is available to the slum itself, but it doesn’t reach the “houses”. They say 70% of the people who live here buy water out of their precious money.
The clinic was also a disaster and there were many AIDS patients. Nationwide, AIDS patients decreased from 14% to 6% out of total population, but in the slum area itself, it reaches more than 30% of the population.

At Payao village in Thailand, when I was involved via JICA in 1997-2002, they didn’t have any medicine. But here, medicine was distributed so I thought it was a little better.
Here in Kibera, I visited 2 elementary schools. One is located in the slums and operated by a church. It was in a poor environment, but the children welcomed me by singing a song. Another is a public school (grade 1 to 8) located in the outskirt of the slum. They say that this school is a model of the country and one of country’s top class students gather here to study. In the classroom, 3-4 students sit around one small desk and it was full of children.

The children were all cheerful, and I saw future in them. The school made them “wash their hands after going to the toilet”. It is a pity that at the “houses” they can’t afford to do it. Even in such an environment, the children were happy and they lived with shining eyes. I was deeply touched from the bottom of my heart.

The teachers were also marvelous. They are all filled with pride. Since there is no electricity at “home”, they stay at school until 5:00 and take the children’s hands to their long way home.

I wrote in the school book “The most moving experience in my life, I see the future of the nation”. Maybe some of my blog readers might see this message one day.
When I returned to the hotel, the lady who was the hotel manager turned out to be from the slum. I was surprised to hear that she graduated the school that I just visited in the outskirt. There are yet a lot of poor countries in Africa. Why not take a little bit of your time to participate in such activity?

Kenya1Photo At the Kenya’s Presidential Palace. With the President (center) and Commssioner, Dr. Ndioro Ndiaye