International Symposium for Global Sanitation

The Sanitation Triangle:

October 14,2021
13:00–17:00(JST)

OnlineOrganized by“The Sanitation Value Chain: Designing Sanitation Systems as Eco-Community-Value System”
Project, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)

Supported by
The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University“Innovative Africa: Educational Networking Programs for Human Resource Development in Africa’s SDGs"

Preface
Sanitation refers to a system that hygienically separates humans from harmful excreta
and promotes its safe treatment and disposal. The significance of addressing sanitation isencapsulated in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Ensure availability andsustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” We have less than 10 years to meetthis daunting goal.
To date, sanitation issues have been focused on infrastructure and facility installation,
environmental conservation for alleviation of water and soil contamination, and adverse healthoutcomes linked to unimproved sanitation. However, sanitation goes beyond technology,
encompassing values spawned amidst humans and local communities, which can fall into thenexus of three components: Health, Materials, and Socio-Culture. Our observations of thisnexus led to the creation of the Sanitation Triangle concept.
This symposium brings this novel concept to the world. It is the culmination of our international
research addressing global sanitation. We deliver each component of the Sanitation Triangle
above, which comprises concepts and a case study. Notably, it showcases interdisciplinary andtransdisciplinary research works involving a variety of local actors ranging from children andyouth to local governments.
Through this academic contribution, we hope you will be able to visualize how the sanitationthemes addressed within are processed through the concept of the Sanitation Triangle. Moreso, that you will be encouraged to explore and witness a range of sanitation issues emerging indifferent parts of the world through the triangle lens.
Now, it is time to grab the Sanitation Triangle and embark on an enlightened quest throughglobal sanitation.

Taro YAMAUCHI

Sanitation Project Leader
RIHN/Hokkaido University

1

Program
Welcome Address

13:00–13:05

Juichi YAMAGIWA (RIHN, Director-General)

Opening Remarks

13:05–13:10

Taro YAMAUCHI (RIHN/Hokkaido University)
Keynote Address

13:10–13:40

The Sanitation as a Value Creating System
Naoyuki FUNAMIZU (Muroran Institute of Technology)

13:40–13:50

Q&A(13:50–13:55 Break)

The Sanitation Triangle
Introduction

13:55–14:05

The Sanitation Triangle for SDGs and beyond
Taro YAMAUCHI (RIHN/Hokkaido University)

Socio-Culture

14:05–14:20

Socio-Cultural Aspects of Sanitation
Seiji NAKAO (Kyoto University)

14:20–14:35

Dissociation between National Policy and Local Communities inregard to Water Supply Management
Mayu IKEMI (Sapporo International University)

14:35–14:40

Q&A

Health14:40–14:55

Sociocultural Determinants of Health in Water, Sanitation andHygiene
Taro YAMAUCHI

14:55–15:10

Participatory Action Research for WASH with Children and Youthin Peri-Urban Communities
Sikopo NYAMBE (Hokkaido University)2

13:55–14:05

Q&A

Materials

14:05–14:20

Interactions between Materials and Socio-Culture in Sanitation
Hidenori HARADA (Kyoto University)

15:30–15:45

Social Relationships and Material Flow in the Co-Creation ofSanitation Systems
Ken USHIJIMA (Hokkaido Research Organization)

15:45–15:50

Q&A(15:50–15:55 Break)Comments

15:55–16:05
16:05–16:15

Paul SHRIVASTAVA (The Pennsylvania State University)
Tetsu SATO (Ehime University)

15:45–15:50

Discussion

Closing Remarks

16:55–17:00

Taro YAMAUCHI

Our project (Sanitation Project, RIHN [FY2017–2021]) has prepared a book as a synthesis ofinterdisciplinary collaboration;
Yamauchi T, Nakao S, Harada H (2022) The Sanitation Triangle: Socio-Culture, Health andMaterials. Springer [in press]
This symposium is to present the core of the book.

Fig. The Sanitation Triangle model.
This is a novel theoretical andpractical model for global sanitation
as proposed in our book.

3

Keynote Address

Sanitation as a Value Creating System
Naoyuki FUNAMIZU

Muroran Institute of Technology, JapanKeywords: sanitation, value, chain

Abstract
We have been conducting research on new sanitization systems since the 1990s. At thebeginning, the research was conducted mainly by engineering researchers, and as theexperience in the field was accumulated, the research expanded to be interdisciplinary andthen trans-disciplinary. In the lecture, the following two points will be discussed while tracing
the progress of our sanitation studies:●  Limitations of the current sanitation system in Japan and in developing countries and theneed for value-creating sanitation;● The basic concepts for new sanitization system that creates value:►“Don’t Mix” and “Don’t Collect” waste water in the new sanitation system;►	Technology should be changed from “technology for processing human waste” to“technology for increasing the value of human waste”;►
Human waste is an important personal property for creating value;►
Sanitation facilities are an important asset of users and their community;►	Sanitation system should be incorporated into the value system of human community
and individuals;○ K
 now the value system of each related stake holders that consist of the wholesanitization system and their affinity with each other;○ P repare a value chain that creates a flow of money and a business model for thatpurpose;○ Prepare technologies that utilizes in the value chain;○ Co-create the value chain.
►	Sanitation system should be embedded1) into the society as a health-techno-sociocultural system.
1)

 akao S, Harada H, Yamauchi T (2022) Introduction. In: Yamauchi et al (eds) The Sanitation Triangle:
N
Socio-Culture, Health and Materials. Springer [in press]4Socio-Cultural Aspects of Sanitation
Seiji NAKAO

Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan

Keywords: sanitation, sanitation worker, “hard work”, social configuration of technology,
Menstrual Hygiene Management

Abstract
Although sanitation is embedded in the socio-culture, the socio-cultural aspects of sanitation
are not fully discussed. In this context, we focus on the socio-cultural aspects of sanitation,
especially the socio-cultural linkages with health (C) and material (B), as in the Sanitation
Triangle model, from the perspective of humanities and social sciences in this part. To introduce
this part, we first briefly review previous studies on sanitation by humanities and social sciences
and show the sociocultural aspects of sanitation. Then, after providing an overview of this part,
we discuss the theoretical points of each chapter such as “hard work” or “dirty work”, a social
configuration of technology, and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the local context,
and indicate the relevant chapters in this book.

5

Dissociation between National Policy and Local Communities
in regard to Water Supply Management
Mayu IKEMI

Sapporo International University, Japan

Keywords: local community, rural Africa, Senegal, water management

Abstract
Various governments and international organizations have made efforts to expand water supply
and sanitation services in rural Africa. This study aimed to evaluate and elucidate the outcomesof national policies on improving water supply management in rural Africa through a casestudy of Senegal. This case study examined the actual conditions of water supply facilities
and residents’ water use in villages. I also attempted to identify the remaining challenges forsustainable water management by local communities. In summary, despite improvement inaccess to safe drinking water resources for rural populations in Senegal, the national policies
were not completely successful. My findings highlight that improving water quality is as
crucial as expanding water supply facilities in rural Africa. Meanwhile, for the sustainableself-management of water resources in rural Africa, the case study suggested the importanceof local people’s transparent management, information sharing, and mutual aid. Rural residents
in Africa have great potential to improve their current water environment through their own
initiatives. This potential should be considered as a key to achieving the goal of sustainable
water supply management in local communities.

6Sociocultural Determinants of Health in Water, Sanitation,and Hygiene
Taro YAMAUCHI

Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Japan

Keywords: water, sanitation and hygiene, socio-culture, health and well-being, social
determinants of health

Abstract
This part discusses sanitation from the perspectives of health and well-being. In particular, wefocus on the sociocultural aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in relation to health.
First, we discuss the social determinants of health (SDH) with an in-depth focus on the gender,
cultural and economic disparities that impact access to quality sanitation. We also spotlightsanitation workers, who play a significant part in existing sanitation systems yet unquantifiedand ostracized. Furthermore, as theoretical underpinnings, we review methodologies tobehavioral changes including information dissemination, education approach and communitybased approach. Subsequently, we introduce the three chapters that constitute this part.
Chapter 6 examines relationships between child health (e.g., undernutrition and diarrhea)
and its associated factors (e.g., water, sanitation, hand hygiene) in Indonesia. In Chapter 7,
we argue the transfer of health risks in sanitation and its social allocation (i.e., genders) in
Vietnam. Finally in Chapter 8, we introduce our participatory action research involving local
children and youth in tackling WASH issues in sub-Saharan Africa (Zambia). In the end, we
reemphasize SDH by mentioning sociocultural aspects of health and attitudinal and behavioral
changes on WASH in society through community-based approach.

7Participatory Action Research for WASH with Childrenand Youth in Peri-Urban Communities
Sikopo NYAMBE1, Yoshimi KATAOKA2, Hidenori HARADA3, TaroYAMAUCHI1,4
Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
3
Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
4
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Japan
1
2

Keywords: participatory action research, peri-urban, water, sanitation and hygiene,visualization, fecal contamination, diarrhea risk

Abstract
In the study of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and its related health impact, it isimperative to understand the people and their respective environments to ensure lasting
improvements in their quality of life. To explore this theme, this chapter provides details of a
Participatory Action Research (PAR) conducted with members of Dziko Langa, a children andyouth club, based in two peri-urban settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The study was aimed atcollaborative examination and intervention alongside club members, focusing on health andsociocultural aspects relating to WASH within their communities. The chapter is divided into
three parts: (i) peri-urban WASH assessment and intervention through participatory approaches;(ii) development of a quantitative self-assessment methodology for fecal contamination in
their living environment, and (iii) visualization approaches for community and stakeholder
engagement. Through collaborative studies such as these, we can further explore the abilities
of local communities to independently measure the health levels of their environment, identify
WASH priorities, engage with stakeholders and policy makers, and share their findings for thebetterment of the broader community.

8Interactions between Materials and Socio-Culture inSanitation
Hidenori HARADA

Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan

Keywords: sanitation, material, socio-culture, the environment, resource, stakeholder

Abstract
The function of sanitation is to control the fate of human waste. A toilet is only the entrance
to sanitation, and human waste as materials need to be appropriately handled throughout asanitation service chain to control the impact of human waste on the environment. While thetoilet has a private aspect, post-toilet sanitation has a public aspect. It is unclear how individuals
and society should share the impact of post-toilet sanitation. Sanitation enabling the use ofhuman waste may have greater material, socio-cultural, and health impacts in society thansanitation that does not enable the use of human waste. If the impacts caused by sanitationis unreasonable, sanitation will not be sustainable. Designing a sanitation service chain istraditionally an engineering-based business that optimizes these impacts, especially fromthe material and health aspects. However, in the real world, the system with the maximum
benefit and minimum burden as a total for society is not necessarily preferred by all individualstakeholders. Rather than simply adjusting stakeholders’ interests, sanitation may actively
establish appropriate relationships with each stakeholder, even on an individual level, to be
more sustainable. Such a design approach would go beyond the traditional design approachesof sanitation optimization that use conventional engineering approaches.

9Social Relationships and Material Flow in the Co-Creationof Sanitation Systems
Ken USHIJIMA1, Neni SINTAWARDANI2, Mayu IKEMI3

Hokkaido Research Organization, JapanIndonesian Institute of Science, Indonesia
3
Sapporo International University, Japan
12Keywords: co-creation, material flow, value flow, Indonesia, urban slum

Abstract
This chapter describes the challenges of co-creating sanitation system design based on materialflow and social network with value flow in urban slums in Indonesia. The challenges aredescribed in three phases: first, to understand and describe the current material flow of sanitationand environment; second, to extend our understanding of the wider meaning of material flow
and value flow network; and, third, to evolve the solution through a co-creation process withlocal players. Through the first phase, we could understand the overall problem of sanitationin the research field by applying material flow analysis, the strength was ability to catch all therelated processes based on a logical mass balance point of view. However, its weakness was
too strict rule and it is difficult to describe each player’s motivation, in other word “drivingforce” of the system. Therefore, in the second phase, we applied social relationship analysis
and could draw reasonable picture of sanitation value flow network. Based on that picture, wehad started co-creation approach in order to create new sanitation system with local players,
and it is still on going. We found that the combination of material flow and social relationshipprovide reasonable and effective picture of wholistic sanitation system, also that it is importantto validate and to update the picture through co-creation process among a team consists of not
only various researchers but also local players.

10International Symposium for Global Sanitation“The Sanitation Triangle: Socio-Culture, Health, Materials”
October 14, 2021 / 13:00–17:00 (JST) / Online
Organized by“The Sanitation Value Chain: Designing Sanitation Systems as Eco-Community-Value System” Project,
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)
Supported by
The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University“Innovative Africa: Educational Networking Programs for Human Resource Development in Africa’s SDGs”