## Column I -2 Activities of Trainees from Developing Countries after Completing Training

The Trainee Acceptance Program-Japan's first Official Development Assistance-was launched with the acceptance of 16 trainees from Asia on the occasion of joining the Colombo Plan in 1954. Its objective is to accept to Japan as trainees the human resources from developing countries who would play a leading role in nation-building in those countries and to transfer specialist knowledge and technologies in a broad array of fields including administration, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining, education and health care. At present, aside from training such as that implemented in developing countries in which Japan implements training (domestic training). For this training, in addition to the accomplishments achieved from the training itself, trainees come into contact with Japanese culture and lifestyle through spending time in Japan. Furthermore, by providing opportunities for trainees and Japanese people to learn about each other's ways of thinking and behaving, it also contributes to creating friendships between the people of the countries.

Currently, trainees after going back to their countries have established alumni associations in 77 countries. They contribute to develop their individual countries, maintain close relations with Japanese embassies and JICA offices in their home countries, and promote friendship with Japan. The activities of the ASEAN JICA Alumni Regional Conference are an example. In December 2003, this alumni organization held reunion attended by leading figures such as Krasae Chanawongse, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the alumni presented vigorous opinions regarding expanding the activities of the organization and constructing the network. The Alumni Chair, from the host country, Thailand, expressed gratitude for the technical training from Japan and the subsequent follow-up, and delivered a message of hope that the technology transferred from Japan would be useful for the surrounding countries in addressing the difficulties.

Some JICA alumni make use of the training received in Japan, engage in further study and become leading figures representing their countries, such as leading cabinet, government ministry and agency officials, local government heads and presidents of public corporations, and trainees who, after going back to their countries, assumed important Cabinet level posts number more than 40. A representative example is Mendaikhani Enkhaikhan, who participated from Mongolia in the Trade Promotion Seminar of Asian and Pacific Countries conducted in 1989 and later became prime minister of his country. Mr. Enkhaikhan is currently the leader of the opposition in Mongolia, and an active and important politician in efforts to spur further development and to strengthen the friendships between Japan and Mongolia. Another example is Mr. Yamamoto, who participated from Peru in the tuberculosis control conducted in 1976 and later held positions including minister of Health and Welfare and director of the Japan-Peru Friendship Hospital (a maternal and child hospital) in the capital Lima.

In this way, training in Japan has an impact beyond just the transfer of technology during the training period. From the long-term perspective, too, it is highly useful for the human resource development and nation building of developing countries.

A JICA alumni reunion event (Thailand)

(Photo: JICA)

Making a presentation at a JICA alumni reunion event (Samoa)

(Photo: JICA)