2018

BHN Association
Telecom for Basic Human Needs

Telecom for Basic Human Needs

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About BHN Association
Instituted by top leaders of ICT industry in Japan, the BHN Association (BHN) was established in 1992
as a non-governmental organization specializing in ICT*. BHN commenced its first support activity forthe people afflicted by the catastrophic disaster at Chernobyl (1992-94) constructing microwave networks
between Obninsk and Moscow, about 120 km, and implementing medical information system as well as
TV conference system to the hospitals. Since then, we had continued our efforts to realize our vision to thisday.

BHN stands for basic human needs, that is, fundamental requirements to be satisfied for a person to live
like a decent human being. Securing food, clothing, and shelter have traditionally been supposed to form
essential part of basic human needs requirements. However, at the present time, we could say that gaining
an access to ICT also constitutes the requirements.

The activities of BHN are performed mostly by volunteer experts –experienced skillful ICT engineers andspecialists. BHN mobilizes its human capital such as knowledge, experience, skill and human networks tocarry a variety of projects. In order to deliver the best result to the local communities, we collaborate withlocal actors such as people, communities, partner organizations and governmental agencies. BHN deploys
activities in three major groups – i) social development, ii) emergency relief, and iii) human resource
development.

*ICT=Information and Communication Technology
The fundamental importance of ICT infrastructures as an essential element in the economic and social
development has been recognized at United Nation’s Assembly in 1981.

2BHN Association

VisionWe seek a society where anyone can live with a sense of security and safety no matter where they wereborn and no matter where they live. We also strive to assist people to have sufficient access to informationand communication that are indispensable to accomplish the aforementioned society.

MissionWe endeavor to fully employ the power of ICT so as to help people improve their standard of living indeveloping regions and save the lives of people in disaster area.

Midterm PlanIn our midterm plan from 2018 to 2020 (fiscal year), BHN aims to contribute on achievement of SDGs,
specifically Goal 3, 4 and 9*, through our activities. We will focus on making betterment for the local
people of our targeting area in terms of telemedicine and rural health care, ICT education and training anddisaster risk reduction utilizing appropriate ICT tools.

*SDGs highly related to BHN’s activities are the following:
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Goal 4: Quality education
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastucture

Telemedicine

Community Radio

Human Resource Development Program

Telecom for Basic Human Needs3Activities
I. Social Development
There are a number of underprivileged people whose basic human needs are not sufficiently met. BHN supports
such people and communities to improve their standard of living and to develop their capability by ICT.

The projects BHN has conducted―Establishment and management of a community radio station for disaster risk reduction andbetterment of rural communities―

Electrification of rural habitation with solar power generation―

Training for usage and maintenance of ICT systems following implementation―

Telemedicine network over internet for mother before and after childbirth and her infant (perinatalperiod care)―Telemetering system to monitor river water level for disaster prevention―

Distance learning system at isolated school utilizing multimedia technology

II. Emergency Relief
Natural disasters such as earthquake, flood, cyclone and tsunami disrupt communities and threatens lives.
As an emergency relief, BHN provides those affected in the devastated areas with ICT support to getlifeline information and to access to communication networks for quick recover after disaster.

The projects BHN has conducted―Community addressing system to furnish timely indispensable information―

Restoration of community radio station and provision of broadcasting equipment―

ICT support – PC, printer and internet access – for local governments and residents―Safety confirming system using telephone―Wireless and satellite communication system as an emergency measure

III. Human Resource Development
Human Resource Development is an essential activity field of BHN. We are giving ICT

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BHN Association

engineers and governmental officers of ICT department in developing countries opportunities to learn theforefront technologies and its application to their countries.

Original program
BHN has been organizing original executive seminars, BHN Human Development Program since 1998.
These two-month seminars are intended for future leaders in ICT and related areas. These participants not
only learn about state-of-the-art ICT but also brush up their skills in management and leadership.

Entrusted program
BHN has also been in charge of human resource development programs and symposiums entrusted by theauthority, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
―

‘APT HRD Programs’ annually held programs for ICT engineers in the region, entrusted by APT
since 2012. 90 participants from 27 countries in total.

―‘Symposium on ICT Utilization’ inviting participants from the Asia-Pacific region entrusted byASEAN, 2013 - 2017. 91 participants from 9 countries in total.

Business collaboration
Since the resolution of Sustainable Development Goals at UN Assembly in 2015, every business sector
started pursuing socially worthy business more than before.
BHN is offering the original program to shift the business conception learning SDGs, mainly targeting on
business persons at national leading ICT companies in Japan.
Started from 2017, for the first year, 175 persons from two companies participated.

BHN HRD Program

1804516040140351203010025802060

15401020

50

Accumulated

50Participants―

1998〜02

2003〜072008〜122013〜170YearParticipantsParticipants-accumulated

Telecom for Basic Human Needs

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Financial Status
BHN’s income totaled JY 258 million in 2017, up JY 47 million from the preceding year. From a source
viewpoint, Grants and Subsidies totaled JY 157 million, business income JY 38 million and contributions –membership fee and donation – JY 63 million.

Expenditures totaled JY 238 million, up JY 28 million from the preceding year. Social Development item
increased up to 179 million, 75% of the total. Emergency Relief expenditure was only JY 2 million, eventhough in 2012, the following year of Great East Japan Earthquake, it amounted to almost 40% of the total
expenditure. Human Resource Development has been keeping a stable portion through time, JY 17 million,
7% in 2017.

Expenditures

Income
250

10.3%

200

14.3%
14.6%

150

60.8%

10050

Grants and Subsidies
Business Income
Membership FeeDonations02017

Social Development
Human Resource Development
Emergency Relief
Administration(JPY million)

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BHN Association