CARI! has been supporting the AHA Centre in designing and developing the curriculum for the AHA Centre Executive (ACE): Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management Programme (LEDMP) since the beginning of 2023.  After a combination of online and onsite learning throughout the year, CARI!, in collaboration with the Asian Disaster Reduction Center and Kobe University, is honored to implement one of the components of the programme, the ACE LEDMP Executive-Level Japan Study Visit 2023 from 12 to 18 November 2023 in Tokyo and Kobe. The visit was attended by 24 participants from the ASEAN Member States and AHA Centre Staff.

The visit was aimed at facilitating participants to learn and gain insight into the use of technology and its implementation in reducing disaster risks and impacts in Japan. The visit was also designed to ensure that the participants attain 4 professional qualities informed by Japanese knowledge and values: 1) Disaster and humanitarian experts informed by Japanese knowledge and experience in “bousai” (disaster risk reduction), 2) Collaboration builders inside and outside of ASEAN, inspired by the Japanese spirit of “kizuna” (bonding), 3) Result-oriented future disaster leaders of ASEAN, embracing the value of Japanese “ikigai” (the reason for being, and 4) Effective leader for ASEAN disaster management operations enhanced with the spirit of “gambaro” (do your best).

The ACE LEDMP Executive-Level Japan Study Visit 2023 involved 22 speakers from 17 organizations including companies, universities, and national government agencies, consisting of 1.215 minutes of course sessions, and 7 site visits, which led to the creation of 20 elevator pitches of ideas for DRR in ASEAN inspired by Japanese experiences.

“The visit was extremely fulfilling in my own personal way as mentioned earlier. The entire programme was eye-opening and it was heartening to see how Japan keeps getting up and building back better to be a more resilient country.”

- Ms. Lina Kobayashi, ACE LEDMP Executive-Level Japan Study Visit 2023 participant from Singapore