implement projects after thoroughly reviewing the contents and consignment methods.

In 2003, JICA established the International Cooperation Personnel Registration System in order to recruit and utilize human resources who possess specialized knowledge and diverse experience. The system provides information on job opportunities at JICA, NGOs, international organizations, and other groups related to international cooperation, as well as information on training and seminars, and career counseling. Further, Senior Advisor System is used to secure professional human resources who have highly specialized abilities.

## (6) Development Education

The “Period for Integrated Study”, a course taught at elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, includes a curriculum that addresses development education and issues faced by developing countries as part of the learning activities. To promote development education, MOFA has launched “Tanken Shiyo! Minna no Chikyu (Let’s Explore Our Planet!)” on its website, and provides teaching materials related to development education as needed. In addition, the Global Education Contest $ ^{31} $ has been held since FY2003 to solicit teaching materials for development education. (The contest has been hosted by JICA since FY2011).

and abundant experience working in developing countries, while the Associate Specialist System has been established to enhance the ability of young people who have a certain degree of expertise but limited experience. The JICA Research Institute, established in October 2008, conducts empirical and policy researches using internationally recognized methodologies based on the actual experience as an aid agency, while addressing information to the governments of developing countries and to the international aid community.

## (7) Information Disclosure and Public Relations

## • Public Relations and Information Disclosure

MOFA and JICA have each launched websites related to ODA $ ^{32} $ that are linked to each other, which aim to release accurate and timely information. In October 2010, the “ODA mieru-ka site” (website for visualization of ODA) was launched within the JICA website so the current state of ODA projects and other aspects of the overall flow are easily understood. In addition, an ODA e-mail magazine is published to introduce the experiences and stories related to the actual site of assistance by officials of overseas embassies and consulates as well as JICA staffs.

Because the source of funding for ODA is the taxpayers’ money, Japan works to ensure transparency, and to disclose

In response to requests from educational institutions and local governments that promote regional internationalization, JICA conducts delivery-style courses on international cooperation, in which former JOCVs visit schools as instructors. Other events such as essay contests for nationwide middle school and high school students are held as well as “The Practical Development Education Seminar” program.

The ODA On-Demand-Delivery Lecture is also conducted to explain and describe international cooperation, where officials of MOfA and JICA visit middle schools, high schools, universities, local governments, NGOs, and other groups as instructors.

and transmit information.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff member provides an explanation of Japan's ODA during ODA On-Demand-Delivery Lecture