HANDs – (Hope and Dreams) for Disaster Education Project

The Japan Foundation, Bangkok has selected 5 young professionals who are actively working on the field of creativities and disaster preparedness management to be a member and participate in the newly initiated project called “Hope and Dreams for Disaster Education – HANDs Project.” It is bi-annual youth exchange program, aiming to nurture a sense of common feeling and coexistence as a community shared by the people of Asia, initiated by The Japan Foundation Asia Center.

 

The program will consist of 24 HANDs members from 6 countries including 5 from Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Japan as well as 3 from Malaysia and 1 from India. They are now gathering in Jakarta and Jogjakarta in Indonesia as well as in Manila and Tacloban in the Philippines for the 1st 10-day trip between 25 September to 5 October 2014 as to deepen mutual understanding and to formulate a network among young leaders, as well as to create commonly collaborative efforts among them, in the field of intellectual dialogue on disaster education issues. The HANDs members will go on the 2nd 10-day trip in Thailand and Japan in February 2015 and complete their action plans for disaster education and prevention programs.

 

In addition, the HANDs Project is currently receiving a lot of attention from Thai and foreign TV media to cover all activities of the program including Ms. Darin Klong-Ugkara, a famous news anchor of disaster preparedness and prevention program of Thai PBS, as well as a news coverage by TVRI of Indonesia. The crew from these broadcasting stations will join HANDs program in order to shoot and create TV programs for nation-wide broadcasting in each country.

 

(Program in Indonesia and the Philippines)

September 25, 2014: Arrival at Jakarta
September 26 : Orientation at the Japan Foundation, Jakarta Office; following with lecture by Mr. Hirokazu Nagata, President of Plus Arts from Kobe, Japan, and visit to TVRI and discussion with Ms. Devi Monica Lumanauw, a TV producer for educational program (Jakarta)
September 27 : Visit to a famous Indonesian film maker, Riri Riza’s latest film shooting location and have discussion at South Jakarta. Move to Jogjakarta (Jakarta & Jogjakarta)
September 28 : Field trip to disaster prone area near Mount Merapi (Jogjakarta)
September 29 : Filed trip to Kotagede, making action plan (Jogjakarta)
September 30 : Move to Manila (Jogjakarta & Manila)
October 1 : Lectures about disaster risk management, development of disaster related computer applications (Manila)
October 2-3 : Field trip to Tacloban (Tacloban)
October 4 : Move from Tacloban to Manila (Tacloban & Manila)
October 5 : Review and making action plans, wrap-up (Manila)

 

Our HANDs Members from Thailand:

Mr. Nuttapong Tonhirunmas He is a talented graphic and motion graphic designer, who has been working to serve for many disaster related activities and programs. Also, he is one of award winner for “True Young Award 2012.”
Ms. Panida Tancharoen She is an active and talented toy and educational game designer from Club Creative Co., Ltd., who has been developing many educational games for disaster preparedness programs and others both in Thailand and aboard.
Ms. Pichapon Robru She is a program associate from Design for Disaster (D4D), who has been actively working for disaster risk reduction and community development planning, especially in the earthquake affected areas in Chiang Rai province.
Ms. Thitiphon Sinsupan A Program Manager from Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). She has been working for this disaster management organization since 2005 and specializes on post-disaster risk management and recovery planning at national to local levels.
Ms. Nittaya Keeratisermsin She is a TV disaster journalist from Thai PBS, who has been working closely with Ms. Darin Klong-Ugkara, a famous news anchor, and actively to disseminate all kinds of disaster preparedness and prevention programs to the general public.

 

Our Advisers:
General Adviser: Mr. Hirokaza Nagata, President of Plus Arts
Adviser for Indonesia: Prof. Ikaputra, Gadja Mada University (UGM)
Adviser for Philippines: : +LDLN (landline)
Adviser for Thailand: Ms. Vipavee Kunavichayanont, Founder of Design for Disaster (D4D)
Adviser for India: Dr. Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya, University of Delhi

 

The official website for HANDs had opened (Japanese only) https://jfac.jp/culture/hands/

 

Official Facebook Page for HANDs has just opened! Please visit & “like” us!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/HANDs-Project-for-Disaster-Education/782582661764814

 

Organized by The Japan Foundation / Inquiries: Ms. Yasuko Uchida (yasuko_uchida@ba.jpf.go.jp), or Mr. Wathana Onpanich (wathana@ba.jpf.go.jp), Tel: +66-2-260-8560-3 at the Japan Foundation, Bangkok Office. Address: 10th Floor, Serm-mit Tower, 159 Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke-montri) Rd., Wattana, Bangkok 10110