HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4. Human Resource Development
To enhance disaster risk management (DRM) capacities in member countries, ADRC
promotes human resources development (HRD) through the Visiting Researchers (VR)programme, seminars, workshops, and training events on disaster risk reduction (DRR) .

4.1. Visiting Researchers (VR) Programme
Since 1999, ADRC has been implementing the Visiting Researchers (VR) programmewith the participation of select officials from member countries. As of 22 February 2021, thetotal accumulated number of visiting researchers reached 117 from 27-member countries(Table 4.1). The objectives of the programme are:
Section 4

To accumulate knowledge on latest disaster information, disaster management policy,laws, plans and budget of member countries to help strengthen their disasterresilienceTo analyze policies through collection and survey of good practices of DRR measuresof member countries

To develop effective capacity development programmes and tools based on needs
and priorities of VRs and their countries

To continue improving the VR programme based on their feedback

Table 4.1. Total Accumulated Number of VRs FY2020

36

Azerbaijan

2Armenia

8Yemen

3

Iran

1

India

6

Indonesia

4

Uzbekistan

2

Cambodia

4

Kyrgyz2

Sri Lanka

11

Korea

3

Thailand10

Tajikistan

2

China

3

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Turkey

1

Nepal

9

Bangladesh

5

Pakistan

5

PNG

1

Philippines

9

Bhutan3Vietnam4

Malaysia

4

Myanmar4

Maldives

4

Mongolia

5

Lao PDR

2117

Section 4

Total

4.1.1. Activities
In this programme, selected visiting researchers (VRs) collaborate with ADRC for few
months, and are oriented with the state of knowledge and technology on DRR. VRs also learn
the international cooperation activities of Japan at ADRC. This programme expects VRs not
only to contribute towards strengthening the DRR capacity in their countries, but also tofurther promote cooperation between their countries and ADRC.
In FY2020, selected VRs from India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar (Figures 4.1 to4.2) could not come to Japan for their on-site activities due to COVID-19 pandemic. So, mostof the activities (e.g., discussions of their research themes, country presentations, andlectures) were held online (Figure 4.3).

Figure 4.1. Names of Visiting Researchers FY2020

37

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Section 4Figure 4.2. Visiting Researchers FY2020

Figure 4.3. Online Lectures for VRs FY2020

38

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4.1.2. Feedback from Visiting Researches
Among the common feedback from VRs about the program are:
Duration of the programme is appropriate and sufficientContents of lectures and on-site activities are of great benefit, especially the opportunity tovisit various disaster management organizations (e.g., Cabinet Office, Japan MeteorologicalAgency, and local governments)

Sharing of practical researches/exercises are usefulParticipation in international meetings and exchanging opinions with experts are beneficial

Networking among former and current VRs is valuable (organizing VR reunion isrecommended)

link with one another and continually support the activities of ADRC in various ways. As
mentioned in section 2.2.1., current and former VRs wrote reports about the challenges inpreventing the spread of COVID-19 infection to facilitate knowledge sharing. Moreover,during the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR) 2020, some visiting researchers
contributed by serving as resource speakers (Figure 4.4).

Figure 4.4. Presentation by Ms. Syuzanna Kakoyan, VR 2016

4.2. Seminars and Training Courses
ADRC implements some JICA training courses, which are based on themes expressed byregion or country that benefit the training. In FY 2020, the courses included: Comprehensive
Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR); CDRR for Latin America; and Promotion of Mainstreaming
DRR. After the training, participants are expected to gain more knowledge in promoting DRR
in their countries.

39Section 4All former VRs comprise a network that belongs to a wider ADRC family, such that they