International Symposium “Challenge for Letting Off Care Workers and Supporting Foreign Residents-Learning Experiences from Philippines and Indonesia” was held.

国際シンポ

Lecture by Ms. Ivy Miravalles(Commission Filipino Overseas)
The international symposium was held at Rikkyo University Ikebukuro Campus on Saturday, March 5, 2016. About 90 audiences including foreigners attended and listened attentively to the speech that explained what kind of problems foreign nurses and care givers had been facing while working in Japan.
In the first part, Ms. Ivy Miravalles, Director of the Commission on Filipino Overseas, and Ms. Sulistyowati Irianto, Professor of Indonesia University, gave lectures from their standpoint of sending nurses and care givers to Japan. Ms. Miravalles and Ms. Irianto both reported that the world demand for sending nurses and care givers has been increasing as aging of the population in many countries. Then, they strongly pointed out two serious problems for foreign nurses and care givers: language barrier and racial issue, still existed in Japan even they had enough knowledge and skills through training and study. “We must keep working on solving and improving these kinds of problems together.” They both suggested. In a following a question-and answer session, they discussed with audiences sincerely and eagerly.
In the second part, an annual report of APFS (ASIAN PEOPLE’S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY) was reported, and a panel discussion was held. Panelists including professors and researchers discussed about how foreigners living in Japan could act as a bridge between foreign personnel and Japanese nurses and caregivers. Additionally, they had a discussion about how Japanese people engaged in this field should make efforts to improve foreign personnel’s working situation. They also pointed out that the Japanese people concerned should have flexible mind and attitude to make better system and workplaces for foreign nurses and care givers.
After the symposium, an after-party was held at the University’s cafeteria. About 30 people participated and had a good communication.
The symposium was supported by Welfare and Medical Service Agency.
We are deeply grateful to their support and kindness.

CHALLENGE FOR THE LETTING OFF CARE WORKER
–FROM EXPERIENCES OF PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA

Date: March 5, 2016, 14:00~17:15 at Rikkyo University Ikebukuro Campus
<1st Part>
14:00~14:10 OPENING REMARKS Dr. Tetsuo MIZUKAMI
(Prof. of Rikkyo University Dept. of Sociology)
14:10~14:40 LECTURE “Challenge Regarding Letting Off Care Worker from Philippines”
        Ms. Ivy Miravalles(Commission on Filipino Overseas, Director)
14;40~15:10 LECTURE “Challenge Regarding Letting Off Care Worker from Indonesia”
Dr. Sulistyowati Irianto (Prof. of Indonesia University)
15:10~15:30 A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION

<2nd Part>
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FOREIGN RESIDENTS
REGARDING RECEIVING PROSPECTIVE CARE WORKERS?
15:40~16:00 REPORT “Comprehensive Support Project for the Independence of Foreign Residents”
        Katsuo YOSHINARI(ASIAN PEOPLE’S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, Advisor)
16:00~17:05 PANEL DISCUSSION
        Panelist
         Mr. Bunji INOUE(I helper school(Youko Care College)principal)
         Dr. Chizuko KAWAMURA(Prof. of Daitobunka University)
         Ms. Natsuko MINAMINO(Fulltime Lecturer of Showajoshi University)
         Mr. Yoshiaki NORO(Prof. of Rikkyo University Dept. of Sociology)
        Coordinator    Dr. Tetsuo MIZUKAMI
        Commentator  Ms. Ivy Miravalles and Dr. Sulistyowati Irianto
17:05~17:15 CLOSING REMARKS
        Jotaro KATO(NPO ASIAN PEOPLE’S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, Representative)

Hosted by NPO, ASIAN PEOPLE’S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY(APFS)
Cosponsored by NPO, ASIAN COMMUNITY TAKASHIMADAIRA(TAKASHIMADAIRA ACT)
Cooperated by Rikkyo Institute for Global Urban Studies, Rikkyo Institute for Peace and Community Studies
Supported by Welfare and Medical Service Agency
Sponsored by Toshima-Ku, Japanese Association of Certified Social Workers, Tokyo Council of Social Welfare