From August 22 to 29, Meiji, Rikkyo, and the International University of Japan (IUJ), the member universities of the Human resource Development Program for International Cooperation, conducted an “active research” to study the social situation and efforts in international cooperation in Myanmar. Ten undergraduate student applicants selected from Meiji University and Rikkyo University conducted fieldwork mainly in Yangon City.
According to the schedule and plan arranged by Professor Maung Aung Myoe of the Graduate School of International Relations at IUJ and Assistant Professor Makiko Kishi of the Graduate School of Global Japanese Studies at Meiji University, the students visited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA),a local NGO Bishopscourt,a NPO Terra People Association,and other organizations. The students visited the front lines of international cooperation and learned about Myanmar’s social situation as well as its historical and religious background through their visits to a pagoda (temple) and to its local market. They also had a time to get to know with local students from Yangon University and other institutions. When taking a trip to the Thilawa special economic zone, where Japan and Myanmar are jointly undertaking major infrastructure development, they were able to get a feel for the present situation of a Myanmar, which has emerged from a long spell of military dictatorship and now is achieving remarkable economic growth.
