25Years of AUICK 1989-2014 Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe Clockwise from top left: an AUICK Workshop in Kobe; technical support for fire rescue services in Surabaya, Indonesia; Kobe citizens at an AUICK Seminar; flood disaster rescue in Olongapo, Philippines Inside 1 Introduction... 2 2 The Importance of Kobe City's Support... 2 3 The History of AUICK... 3 4 The AUICK Action Plan System... 4 5 Technical Support Projects... 8 Kobe Commerce, Industry and Trade Center Building 2F, 5-1-14 Hamabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0083 Japan Tel: +81-78-291-8031 Fax: +81-78-291-0691 E-mail: auick@auick.org Web: http://www.auick.org
1. I NTRODUCTION Mr. Tatsuo Yada Chairman (Former Mayor of Kobe) The Asian Urban information Center of Kobe (AUICK) was jointly established by Kobe City Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in April 1989, to build information and human networks with medium-sized cities in Asia, for finding solutions to population and urban problems. 2. AUICK arranges studies, publications and semi-annual training workshops in Kobe, on issues related to population and development, so that participants can make Action Plans to address and solve the problems faced by their cities. Through its activities, AUICK has helped developing cities in Asia to make policies for improved urban environment, waste management, water and sanitation, education, health care, HIV/AIDS programs and programs for active ageing populations, based on lessons learned from Kobe and each other. Kobe City is proud to have supported AUICK as a model of an organization to support international development. THE IMPORTANCE OF KOBE CITY'S SUPPORT Dr. Hirofumi Ando President (Former Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA) Since Kobe Port helped open Japan to the world in 1868, foreign trade, settlers and influences have characterized the city, which has developed an outlook toward international cooperation and programs to assist development. An important feature of Kobe s development has been its repeated recovery from massive devastation, such as rebuilding after the Second World War, and recovery from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Kobe has achieved universal primary education, and its highly advanced health care facilities mean infant mortality rates are among the lowest in the world. It has a most advanced waste recycling program, extensive urban greening, near-100% sewerage and clean water provision, high citizen awareness and participation in government programs, and silver colleges, employment and activity An AUICK Workshop visit to Kobe's Silver College networks to support its active ageing population. All of these factors have provided a background to AUICK s training workshops, and have helped hundreds of city government trainees from developing countries to improve welfare and services in the AUICK Associate Cities. AUICK s success has been largely due to the generosity and international mindset of the citizens of Kobe. 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014 2 October 2014
3. THE HISTORY OF AUICK Participants of the 2012 Good Practice Exchange Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand Kobe City Government and UNFPA began the Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe (AUICK) after the 1987 International Conference on Population and Development held in Kobe highlighted medium-sized cities' role in the development of their countries, and their need for increased financial and administrative capacities to solve population and growth related issues. From 1989, its first activities were a series of urban inquiries to the mayors and administrations of over 200 developing cities, to find out the problems and issues affecting each city's populations and development. Many expressed concerns over expanding urbanization and population related issues such as migration, health care, family planning and urban air and water pollution, and many also sought technical information to build their capacities to address these issues. So AUICK began to facilitate the exchange of this information, conducting in-depth studies on cities' changing characteristics disseminating best practices for successful service provision. In 1996, AUICK began to arrange specific Workshop training seminars for participation by Asian city government officials, to put a capacity-building approach to development into practice. Between 1996 and 2003, it trained 242 city administrators and planners from 69 cities in 13 countries, and arranged eight seminars on reproductive health, population ageing, and water and environment issues in urban settings. Since 2004, AUICK has worked with nine AUICK Associate Cities (AACs)*, to build their capacities to improve programs for the welfare of their citizens. The cities share many developmental challenges and characteristics, and can learn much from Kobe and each other. Kobe also often learned from them. Their nine mayors visited Kobe in 2004 to commit to sending senior officials to AUICK Workshops and incorporate lessons learned into their administrations' policies. In 2005, AUICK began its Action Plan system, for trainees to make plans based on lessons they learn in Kobe, to implement in their cities. At seventeen Workshops, over 100 participants have made Action Plans, and over half of these have become city government policies to improve welfare provision. They show how effective AUICK has been in improving the quality of life for citizens of developing countries. In addition, AUICK widely disseminated technical information about population issues in urban settings, through its publications, newsletters, website and online database. Since 2013, AUICK works with the WHO Centre for Health Development, also based in Kobe City, to train city governments on achieving health equity in their cities. It also arranges a Technical Support Project (see page 8), and publishes a Newsletter to reach a wide audience of developmental planners and institutions throughout Asia. Its website at www.auick.org contains a database of information and reports. *Since 2004, AUICK Associate Cities (AACs) have included Chittagong (Bangladesh), Weihai (China), Chennai (India), Surabaya (Indonesia), Kuantan (Malaysia),Faisalabad (Pakistan), Olongapo (Philippines), Khon Kaen (Thailand) and Danang (Vietnam). October 2014 3 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014
4. HE AUICK ACTION PLAN T SYSTEM The AUICK Action Plan System is a way for participants of AUICK Associate Cities (AACs) to utilize the lessons learned from training programs in Kobe. Typically, Action Plan steps amount to about 18 months' implementation, but are usually sustainable beyond that period. In many cases, small pilot projects are started, with a view to their future expansion. Implementation progress is assessed through AUICK monitoring visits, interviews and surveys, and the plans provide a means to measure the effectiveness of AUICK s program as a whole. A total of 101 Action Plans were made over the course of AUICK Workshops from 2005-2014. Forty-three percent have been completely implemented, 21 percent significantly and 15 percent partly implemented. Many show potential for expansion, and some have also had unexpected outcomes beyond their initial aims. Non-implementation: 21% Partial implementation: 15% Full implementation: 43% Significant implementation: 21% The implementation status of AUICK Workshop Action Plans, 2005-2014 (Data from AUICK monitoring and progress reports) AUICK Associate City Action Plans Here, we look at some examples of Action Plans which have been successfully incorporated into the administrations of AUICK Associate Cities (AACs) as policies for welfare improvement. Chittagong, Bangladesh The first project for Chittagong was to address the growing problem of HIV/AIDS. A plan was devised to create a counseling center with clinical services, and to launch an education program. Two other Action Plans addressed Chittagong s many environmental problems. An improved solid waste management system was devised with tricycle rickshaws to collect trash from slum areas, and a greening program planted large numbers of trees in the urban area. Another project was planned to begin to deal with the aging issue, beginning a series of discussions and data gathering activities Slums in Chittagong, Bangladesh lack clean water provision 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014 4 October 2014
with appropriate city officials and university scientists to plan for the future. Chittagong is frequently affected by natural disasters such as cyclones, mudslides and flooding, for which an Action Plan formed a Disaster Management Core Committee, headed by the Mayor, for crisis management and maternal and child health care provision in disaster situations. To improve data for maternal and child health care policies, a Management Information System (MIS) was set up at Chittagong s Premier University s IT Institute, and a new Action Plan is now underway to improve access to clean water in under-served areas, including the city's slums. Weihai, China The first Action Plan for Weihai was a project to increase HIV care and prevention services. It set up a website to disseminate information, and developed educational and peer counseling courses for schools, based on lessons from Kobe. A second project worked to ensure 100% primary school enrollment and completion. The city government built additional primary schools, extended school bus services, and improved teacher training to ensure that students would stay on to complete school. China has one of the most rapid rates of growth in the aged population, so an Action Plan advocated to build a series of new elderly homes to care for this population. Children are evacuated in heavy snow in Weihai, China Weihai was also greatly helped by Kobe s experience of, and response to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Two Action Plans established a new government Disaster Prevention Welfare Committee, ten community education centers and a disaster shelter park in the urban area of the city. Further Action Plans initiated a waste October 2014 disposal and treatment center, and activity programs to improve the health of the city s elderly. Chennai, India The first Action Plan for Chennai aimed to deal with HIV/AIDS, a growing problem throughout South Asia. It mobilized the city s health department, NGOs and the local UNICEF office to develop an education campaign and a testing and counseling service center. The Plan was subsequently awarded the World Leadership Award by the World Leadership Forum in London, and the Prime Minister s Award for Excellence in Administration in India. Another plan was made to prepare for the coming growth of the aged population. The government conducted a survey of the elderly, and increased training of medical doctors in geriatric medicine. With population changes, Chennai is redesigning some of its local maternal clinics into geriatric clinics. A subsequent project aimed to increase waste segregation and disposal, environmental education, development of slum area facilities and urban greening. Funding for the plan s implementation equivalent to around 50 million US Dollars was sanctioned from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission of the Government of India. To increase maternal and child health care during the regular flooding which hits Chennai, an Action Plan incorporated MCH care into the government s Disaster Coordination Committee, focusing on care provision in the first 48 hours after flooding occurs. Based on lessons from Kobe, the plan arranged a network of local community trainers, zonal maps of dangerous areas during flooding, identification of disaster shelters, and stockpiling of medicines, water, machinery and equipment. It was then advocated to be expanded to cover the Greater Chennai area of 6,200,000 people. Surabaya, Indonesia The first project for Surabaya focused on reproductive health, especially concerning HIV and adolescents. Health staff and teachers were trained in HIV issues and a peer counseling center was established for out of school adolescents. A further project drew on Indonesia s strong community organization to mobilize schools and NGOs to provide a supportive community for the aged. It persuaded the country s national family planning program, BKKBN, to establish a new unit for the aged. Environmental improvement Action Plans for Surabaya also educated citizens and arranged community greening competitions, which are rewarded by the Mayor. 5 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014
Two other projects dealt with urban infrastructure problems. One aimed to promote conservation and better waste management through an education program, while another is improving water quality through building bio-filters in sub-districts and in business establishments. For maternal and child care and natural disaster preparedness, a government Task Force for Disaster and Casualty Management was set up, health workers were trained, and seminars were held. As a result, staff members of all public health centers are now trained in disaster preparedness, and 120 of Surabaya s 163 villages are declared ready for disaster control. Kuantan, Malaysia Kuantan s first Action Plan aimed to ensure 100% enrollment in primary education. It established committees of teachers and parents to assure that all eligible students attended, and distributed financial assistance to poorer families to ensure that their children stayed in school. Another project established a new 3R (reduce, re-use and recycle) program, based on many of the excellent activities that Kobe displays. The Urban Services and Environment Department was expanded, and a new recycle collection system began. An Action Plan to improve community care for older persons strengthened coordination among NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the government, and a further plan was devised to improve the city s water system, due to major shortages. As the National Security Department plan for disaster preparedness and management had lacked maternal and child health care, a Workshop Action Plan advocated for the incorporation of monitoring and relocation of pregnant women to hospitals and other safe environments during the annual floods that hit the city. This was based on Kobe s experience after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The plan is now implemented at the level of Pahang, the third largest state in Malaysia. Faisalabad, Pakistan Faisalabad s first Action Plan developed an adult reproductive health education campaign, mobilizing the health department, NGOs and local religious leaders. A second project promoted universal primary education, with new teacher training courses and enrollment data. Enrollment increased by 9-10% per year in the two years after the plan s implementation. Faisalabad has also begun to tackle one of its most serious environmental problems: sewage. Two AUICK Workshop Action Plans replaced old infrastructure and advocated for increased clean water and sewerage coverage for the entire city. Door-to-door waste collection, piloted as an AUICK Action Plan, was expanded citywide to include slum areas, and a further plan established a government Disaster Management Cell, focusing on maternal and child health care. Olongapo, Philippines Olongapo City s first project established an adolescent reproductive health care program to organize classes for the city s young people, and establish a system of adolescent health centers in the rural villages around the city. A second project pushed for universal primary education, especially among the poor, advocating for increased scholarships under a new Master Plan for Universalization of Education for Urban Poor. Scholarships were subsequently provided to 12,000 students over a four-year period. To assist the aged, an Action Plan developed a Senior Citizen Health Care Plan. With government funding, this assisted an estimated 88 percent of Olongapo s elderly population, or around 9,500 people. Disaster management training in Olongapo Philippines To increase Olongapo s preparedness for its annual typhoons and flooding, an Action Plan set up a Disaster Volunteer Brigade for community-based preparedness, which was integrated into and trained by the city s Disaster Management Office. Additional plans have also established an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to increase environmental awareness in elementary schools, and a senior citizens skills inventory center, based on the Silver College in Kobe. A project to generate updated population data for improved service provision by Olongapo City Government was declared a Best Practice by the UNFPA Philippine Office. 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014 6 October 2014
Khon Kaen, Thailand The first AUICK Workshop Action Plan for Khon Kaen addressed the growing HIV/ AIDS problem, by developing an educational campaign and peer counseling center, and second project began a training program for medical personnel, to reduce infant mortality by identifying problem symptoms early. An Action Plan to keep poor children from dropping out of school provided financial assistance and free education programs. An out-of-school centre was established, and volunteer teachers educated and monitored poor, homeless and disabled children. To address environmental problems, Khon Kaen Municipality constructed a bio-diesel plant with the local university, and collected used oil from local restaurants to produce fuel for the city s fleet of trucks and busses. assistance to the needy. For the environment, an Action Plan established a new waste management company and advocated for the construction of an industrial and medical waste treatment plant. To address increasing numbers of ageing citizens, one plan provided free medical insurance to the over 80s, and financial support to local community welfare centers, and a further plan arranged collaboration among the city government, local communities, NGOs and the private sector, to provide funding for elderly citizens living alone or in poor households. Activity clubs increase their physical wellbeing. Citizens evacuate before a typhoon in Danang, Vietnam Awareness campaigns for the elderly in Khon Kaen, Thailand For the elderly, an Action Plan increased geriatric services, provided funds for poorer ageing citizens and organized a program for the elderly to teach in municipal schools. Action Plans for Khon Kaen have also been launched for community awareness campaigns to reduce water consumption and promote the 3Rs (reduce, re-use and recycle), to increase volunteer health care assistance, and to provide elderly activity clubs for all 88 communities of Khon Kaen Municipality. Danang, Vietnam An Action Plan for Danang addressed the rising HIV/AIDS problem by training health workers and establishing a highly innovative street corner youth counseling program, which has since been incorporated into the national Vietnam Family Planning Association. A second project was formulated to ensure 100% primary school enrollment, by identifying vulnerable children and families, working with parent and teacher organizations, and providing financial Annual heavy rain causes heavy flooding in Danang, so an Action Plan designed a central wastewater treatment system to be expanded throughout the city. To improve maternal and child health care during flooding and typhoons, a Special Committee for MCH in Natural Disasters was established. Finally, two plans have arranged environmental education to improve waste management at the community level, and increased housing for poor citizens in two pilot areas, with a view to future citywide expansion. Phnom Penh, Cambodia Phnom Penh is not one of the AUICK Associate Cities designated in 2004, but has joined the AUICK Program in 2014, and has so far made an Action Plan to extend water pipes to the sub-urban area for an additional 15,000 households to have access to clean tap water, and to increase the ratio of clean tap water coverage to 88% by 2016. October 2014 7 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014
5. TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECTS Fire and Rescue Service Training, Surabaya, Indonesia In 2009, AUICK worked with Japanese Paramedical Rescue (JPR), an NGO established and operated by firefighters, to provide paramedical rescue technique assistance in Surabaya, Indonesia. For a large city, Surabaya has sufficient disaster prevention associations, but it required a suitable network to link the activities of each emergency department to effectively resolve accident and disaster situations. JPR trained members of the Red Cross, the firefighting and police departments, to improve inter-department cooperation in emergency reporting systems and order processes, so that all departments could work in cooperation at emergency sites. Training was also conducted on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assessment of injuries at accident scenes. Four training programs were implemented by teams Members of Japan Paramedical Rescue (JPR) with Surabaya's emergency services from JPR, culminating in wide-scale disaster management training and simulation exercises for 400 emergency rescue staff and medical students of the city. Nurse and Midwife Training, Danang, Vietnam In 2011, AUICK started a project to train nurses at the recently constructed Mother and Child Hospital in Danang, Vietnam. The project is now carried out by Kobe International Center for Cooperation and Communication (KIC), with support from Japan International Cooperation Association (JICA). Under the three-year course (2012-2015), head nurses of the Nishi-Shimin Hospital and professors of Kobe City College of Nursing train their counterparts in Danang, and Vietnamese nurses visit Kobe for Training-of- Trainers (ToT) courses. So far, five programs have been conducted in Kobe and seven in Danang. Head nurses from Danang's Mother and Child Hospital visit Nishi-Shimin Hospital in Kobe, Japan Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe (AUICK) Kobe Commerce, Industry and Trade Center Building 2F 5-1-14 Hamabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0083, Japan Tel. +81-78-291-8031 Fax. +81-78-291-0691 E-mail: auick@auick.org Web: http://www.auick.org/ 25 Years of AUICK 1989-2014 8 October 2014