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Seminar Title: “Working in Africa with Language” * Held as an event of Sophia University Africa Weeks 2025
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 19:10-20:50
Organized by Sophia University, Co-organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Place: Yotsuya Campus, Sophia University
Program: Opening remarks, panel discussion, closing remarks, free talks with speakers and JICA young staff
Main Participants
Opening remarks: Saki Eiry Yamazaki, University Education Administrator (hereinafter referred to as UEA)/ SFDP Promotion Office, Sophia University
Moderator: Erina Iwasaki, Professor, Department of French, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Sophia University
Panelists:
Emiko Njai Hayashi, Deputy Director, International Cooperation and Procurement Department, JICA
Mayuko Inoue, Lecturer of Swahili at the Training Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Contract Director of NHK WORLD-JAPAN Swahili Language Broadcasting
Masanari Mase, Senior Research Officer, Team 2, Transport and Traffic Group, Social Infrastructure Department, JICA
Closing Remarks: Shuhei Ueno, Deputy Director, JICA Africa Division
Participants: More than 120 people including general public, university students, high school students, etc.
Background and Objectives
As Africa’s economy grows and its presence in the international community increases, interest in Africa within Japan is also growing. On the other hand, the majority of Japanese companies and individuals’ involvement in Africa is mainly in English-speaking countries, with limited travel and involvement in countries with official languages other than English, including French.
Against this backdrop, this seminar will introduce the possibilities of working in Africa in French, Portuguese, and regional languages (Swahili) by featuring panelists who have used these languages in their work and are involved in Africa. The aim is also to create opportunities to learn languages other than English, and to encourage future involvement in Africa for those who learn these languages.
This seminar is a continuation of the “Working in French-Speaking Africa” (co-hosted by JICA and Sophia University) in FY2024.
Contents
At the beginning of the session, UEA Yamazaki explained the purpose of Sophia University Africa Weeks and this seminar, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Iwasaki.
Mr. Hayashi, Deputy Director, International Cooperation and Procurement Department, JICA, introduced himself by saying that he had not expected to study French when he started working for JICA, but he was fascinated by JICA’s involvement in Africa. Mr. Mase, Senior Research Officer, Social Infrastructure Department, JICA, talked about how his private life was enriched because he had studied Postalgarian when he was posted to Angola.
Then, in response to questions from Professor Iwasaki, each panelist explained the appeal of French-speaking Africa, the difficulties of learning Swahili, and tips for enjoying time outside of work in Africa.
In closing remarks, Mr. Ueno, Deputy Director of JICA’s Africa Division, encouraged the participants to get involved in Africa from their student days, considering Africa’s growing presence in the world, and frankly speaking, Africa is fun.
After the session, many participants, including university and high school students, stayed in the hall to talk individually with the three panelists as well as with young employees working in French in JICA’s Africa Department, asking questions about Africa, language, work, and other topics.
© Source JICA
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