International Program of Collaborative Research, CSEAS

Mutual Learning Practice-Area Studies for Sustainability of Rural Societies in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Japan
Project Leader: OHNISHI, Nobuhiroi, Faculty of Bio Environmental Science, Kyoto Gakuen University
（Term：2010 - 2011）

• Outline of Joint Research
• Purpose of Joint Research
• Outline of Result

• Joint Seminars in 2010-2011 Fiscal Year

Outline of Joint Research

Problems such as the disappearance of native culture and vitality of rural communities in Japan have also been an issue in developing Asian countries of due to the influence of globalization. In Japan, recently, peoples’ organizations such as NPOs have just started an alternative rural development approach based on their wisdom and pride to “live out our lives in our rural communities.” This research will invite the counterparts who share a concern in rural development in communities from Bangladesh and Myanmar to conduct practice-oriented Area Studies through mutual learning in Japan so that they can exchange their experiences and opinions with Japanese counterparts to search for a solution to problems. Prof. Khin Oo will be invited as a visiting research fellow of the CSEAS in 2011 to conduct her study on the application of alternative rural development approaches to agricultural extensions in Myanmar.

Purpose of Joint Research

Visiting Foreign Scholars presenting at the monthly research meeting held at the Moriyama Field Station, July, 2011.

Participants at a grassroots international workshop held in Abu-cho, Yamaguchi　Prefecture, August, 2011.

The objective of this research is as follows. Invited counterparts who are involved in rural development in communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar will conduct practice-oriented Area Studies through mutual learning workshops and PLA in rural Japan with Japanese counterparts. Though this, they will learn an alternative rural development approach based on their wisdom and pride to “live out our lives in our rural communities” and exchange their experiences and opinions.

The significance and expected results of this research is to develop “Area Studies as Practical Learning” as a case of action research so that scholars can lead the creation and practice of an alternative paradigm of Area Studies such as “Co-working Study.” This research will conduct PLA and hold a grass-roots international workshop in rural Japan alongside counterparts from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Japan so that they can compare their experiences and establish a grass-roots network among people’s organizations, NGOs, NPOs and researchers participating in this action research. As a result, it is hoped that a new door in Area Studies will be opened in a practical way.

Seminars in Fiscal 2010-2011

1. Grass Root International Workshop: Alternative Grass Root Rural Development Approaches -Culture, History and Ecology-
2. Date：February 26 – 27, 2011
3. Venue：Shinrin’ai-So, Hozu-cho, Kameoka city, Kyoto Pref.
4. Host Organizations：Hozu-cho Jichikai, Kameoka city; Institute of Sustainability Science (ISS), Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University; Kyoto Gakuen University
5. Joint Organizations： Project Hozu River, Kameoka Municipal Museum of Culture
6. Notes：The presentation of Japanese will be done in Japanese and that of the overseas presenters will be in English. The participants must appear at the ticket gate of JR Kameoka at 8:40 on Feb.26 and 27 to proceed for the workshop place.
7. Program：PDF

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