summary
The 10th Study Session for Municipalities and Other Waterworks Project Officials (hereinafter referred to as “the Study Session”) was held at JICA Okinawa Center from December 16 to 18, 2024. Since the first meeting in March 2014, this workshop has been held every year except for 2020, when it was affected by the new corona. Forty-six people from 19 organizations across Japan participated, from Tohoku in the north to Okinawa in the south.
In the past, the main purpose of this study group was to share examples of international cooperation by domestic waterworks-related local governments. The main theme of this year’s workshop was “Co-Creation”.
The study session included a round table1 to share and discuss in depth examples of cooperation efforts by local governments and other organizations in various waterworks fields, while taking into account trends in international cooperation at home and abroad, and an idea-thon2 to generate new ideas. *3, where participants presented their most memorable words and feedback to their organizations.
Contents
- site visit
On the morning of the first day, the group visited the Chatan Water Purification Plant, which is operated and maintained by the Okinawa Prefectural Bureau of Public Enterprises. The water treatment plant has a hardness reduction facility and a seawater desalination center, which are rare in Japan, and the tour was a valuable opportunity to see these facilities. The tour participants also heard about the securing of water sources and water management in Okinawa Prefecture, which has limited water resources and has experienced more than 1,000 days of water supply restrictions since 1972, the year Okinawa returned to mainland Japan.
- information sharing from JICA and MLIT
In the afternoon of the first day, the participants returned to JICA Okinawa Center for information sharing from JICA and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. JICA explained the need to consider “co-creation” and “innovation,” which was the theme of the workshop, and introduced case studies. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) gave a presentation on the theme of “Co-creation and Innovation in International Cooperation in the Water Supply Sector by MLIT,” explaining global issues, promotion of international development in the water supply sector through co-creation, and the perspective of promoting initiatives in water supply and sewage systems in an integrated manner from the perspective of innovation. The lecture included a presentation on global issues and the perspective of promoting international development and innovation in the waterworks sector through co-creation.
- information sharing from participants (co-creation and innovation) and round table
The afternoon of the first day and the morning of the second day were devoted to case study presentations by participants from the perspectives of “co-creation” and “innovation.
On the afternoon of the first day, we had presentations from Okinawa Prefecture, Fukuoka City, and Kitakyushu City under the theme of “co-creation.
From Okinawa Prefecture, under the theme of “Co-Creation – Co-Creation among Local Governments,” participants from Okinawa Prefecture, Nago City, and Nago City Plumbing Cooperative Association gave presentations on the merits of being involved in international cooperation from their respective standpoints, as well as issues they would like to resolve in order to experience more benefits in the future. Fukuoka City gave a presentation on the cooperation system within the city government when implementing international cooperation and the implementation system of international cooperation within the city bureaus as “Co-Creation Efforts in International Cooperation”. Kitakyushu City gave a presentation on “Kitakyushu City’s Publicity for NHK’s “New Project X” Broadcast,” introducing examples of media utilization in Kitakyushu City leading up to the New Project X broadcast in October 2024.
On the morning of the second day, presentations on the theme of “Innovation” were given by the City of Yokohama, Osaka Regional Waterworks Enterprise, and Nagoya KANREI.
Yokohama City gave a presentation on the theme of “International Projects by Yokohama City Waterworks Bureau.” The presentation introduced the significance of Yokohama City’s international contributions and the creation of a diverse menu of international cooperation programs, and also shared the challenges it faces in the course of ongoing international cooperation. The Osaka Regional Waterworks Public Corporation introduced the process of building a relationship with MWA and its unique cooperative framework as part of “International Exchange between the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of Thailand (MWA) and the Osaka Regional Waterworks Public Corporation. Lastly, Mr. Yamada, who also served as Deputy Mayor of Nagoya City, gave a presentation on his own experience in international cooperation, the importance of viewing water supply as part of the water cycle, including energy security, and how to approach stakeholders to promote international cooperation, as part of “The Potential for International Cooperation in the Water Supply Field from Outside the Waterworks Bureau. He also talked about the importance of considering water supply as a part of the water cycle, including the securing of energy, and how to effectively approach related parties to promote international cooperation.
After each presentation, the participants were divided into three groups, and each presenter went around to each group for 20 minutes to answer questions, etc. The round table discussion was so active that there was not enough time for all groups to exchange opinions.
- creation of new ideas through idea sessions
In the afternoon of the second day, participants were divided into seven groups for the idea-thon, so that there would be no overlap in the organizations and regions they belonged to. Each participant was asked to prepare in advance a list of issues, possible partners, and innovations in his/her region. We then worked to generate ideas from the perspective of issue x partner and issue x innovation, using the forced association method with the matrix. When the matrix was completed, an interim presentation was made, and each participant was asked to vote on the ideas they thought were the best. By using the forced-association method, many ideas that are difficult to come up with in everyday work were presented, and participants expressed their desire to put these ideas into practice in their own work, making this a very meaningful time.
- presentation of Key Takeaways by each organization and future direction
On the final day, each organization was asked to prepare and present Key Takeaways, which included “expectations and results of the workshop,” “the best idea presented at the Idea-thon and why,” “memorable words and examples,” and “other feedback to your organization and overall impressions. Feedback to the organization and overall impression” were asked to fill in the form.
Participants shared positive evaluations such as “It was very informative to hear examples of co-creation by other entities,” “The communication among participants was very stimulating,” and “I felt the effectiveness of the idea-thon and would like to implement it in my own organization.
Based on the positive feedback we received from the participants, we hope to continue to provide a venue where we can continue to strengthen cooperation with our partners in Japan in the coming year and beyond.
© Source JICA
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.