Lecture by Ambassador Ishikane on Japan’s Official Development Assistance
On February 7, the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Kimihiro Ishikane, gave a lecture on Japan’s approach to international development at the University of Ottawa as part of the International Development Week pre-conference events.
The Ambassador’s lecture focused on Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). He discussed the history of international development policy in Japan, and compared the Japanese approach with the Canadian one. He then looked at different areas of focus, including climate change, the focus on gender, and grassroots activities. He concluded his lecture by contextualizing Japan’s ODA with Japan’s larger vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
University of Ottawa’s lecturer Furqan Asif then provided a commentary on the Ambassador’s lecture. The international development students which attended the event had the opportunity to further discuss Japan’s approach to international development through a question and answer period. The students’ questions touched on a variety of topics such as the effect of climate change in shaping Japan’s ODA, the expertise Japan developed in disaster contexts, and the potential for collaborations between multiple countries in international development projects.
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| A University of Ottawa student introducing the event |
Ambassador Ishikane giving his lecture on Japan’s ODA |
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| University of Ottawa’s lecturer Furqan Asif providing a short commentary on the Ambassador’s lecture |
A student asking a question to the Ambassador |
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| The Ambassador answering students’ questions | Ms. DePaul, the organizer of the lecture, thanking the Ambassador for his lecture |