Fieldwork

After almost two month preparation, DFW2014 hold the final presentation session in Odai Town on Nov.20, 2014. Many interviewees who kindly took part in the survey in September also joined this session and offered their questions and comments on our presentations.

WG1: Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Odai Town

WG2: The Economic Sustainability in Tea Industry: The Case of Odai Town

WG3: 放置林をめぐる議論とその実態の比較　－大台町のケースを通して－

From now on, each group will focus on their report writing based their findings and comments received from today’s final presentation. The final report will published in March, 2015.

The season of Fall always comes with harvest. On Oct.29, 2014, OFW2014 team also welcomed their harvest: the final presentations. After endless discussion and meetings, four groups made presentations to show their findings and conclusion regarding their fieldwork in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia in August, 2014.

Presenters also received some questions and comments from audience.

From now on, four teams will focus on their group report writing. The final report will be published in March 2015.

Dear All,

OFW2014 Final Presentations will be made on Oct.29, 2014. Everyone is warmly welcome!

Date & Time: 16:30-18:00, Oct.29, 2014
Venue: Auditorium, GSID 8F

Blowing with the autumn wind and rain, a group of GSID students started their DFW2104 Fieldwork from September 24 to September 26 in Odai Town, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Within three day fieldwork, three working groups (WG1: ESD; WG2: Tea Industry; WG3: Forest Management) visited town office, schools, tea farmers, shops, forest association, NPOs to collect data they needed. Meanwhile, it was precious opportunity for our participants to explore and undestand the current situation of rural Japan. It is a good practice for them to experience the difficulties in conducting fieldworks, particularly in Japan.

WG1: ESD

WG2: Tea Industry

WG3: Forest Management

From now on, each group is going to focus on data analysis. In mid November, they will revisit Odai Town and make presentations on their findings and exchange ideas with local informants.

After a safe landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport, team of OFW2014 successfully completed their fieldwork in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia!

During the two week exploration, four working groups collaborating with advisors and research assistants from RUPP overcame various difficulties in the fieldwork and successfully collected data which they expected. More importantly, participants got opportunities to deepen their understanding of developing countries, to strengthen their team work spirit, to further practice skills for fieldwork and to establish new network for their future live and career! The followings photos show a review of OFW2014 in Cambodia! Last but not the least, our sincere gratitudes go to team from RUPP, related stakeholders in Kampong Speu Province and all who supported us for OFW2014!

From now on, each working group will focus data analysis and report writing. The final presentations about their final research findings will be made on Oct.29, 2014! Everyone is welcome!

July 25, 2014

The final presentations about research plan for DFW2o14 was held in this afternoon. Each group made presentation to show their research intersts, research questions, research methodologies and research schedules. After the presentations, group advisors and students raised various questions and provided constructive comments and suggestions for further revision. These presentations showed that there were still many information which our participants need to know and understand before they conduct the real fieldwork. Good luck to each group for the final preparation during summer break.

July 23, 2014

The last session of OFW2014 Preparatory Seminar was provided by Prof. Wataru Kusaka from GSID. In his lecture, Prof. Kusaka briefly introduced the relationship bewteen researchers and informants and the points needed attention for a sucessful fieldwork in the stages including Pre-departure, In the field and After research. Then, Prof. Kusaka shared his experiences as a master student in the fieldwork conducted in urban poor community in Metro Manila, Philippines from 2002 to 2003. Photos and descriptions about his “participatory observation” showed the exciting perspectives, difficulties and challenges for students and researchers in the fieldwork. Finally, each group shared their understanding about ethinic issues which they may need to pay attention during the fieldwork.

Also, in this session, we showed our appreciation to Dr. Naret from RUPP for his continuous support and instruction for this year’s OFW Preparatory Seminars. We look forward to seeing him again in the forthcoming fieldwork in August.

The preparatory seminars for OFW2014 was closed by distributing souvenir fees for each working group. Participants were happy to receive the fund for them to select souvenirs for their informants. Meanwhile, it also means that the real fieldwork is going to start soon.

Wish every group a safe and fruitful fieldwork!

July 16, 2014

Thanks to all participants’ hard works, each group shared their tentative research proposals in today’s preparatory seminar. Congratulations to all on your progress in the research proposal making! Good jobs!

Meanwhile, there are still many issues and points that each group should pay attention to further improve and revise.

Look forward to your finalized research proposals in two weeks!

July 11, 2014

Ethnical issues for development fieldwork is considered as one of the most important matters that we researchers have to keep in mind. Prof. Nishikawa introduced the basic concepts and principles for conducting fieldwork through a case study of Master student’s experience in fielwork.

“You are welcome to conduct fieldwork.” is the basic idea for us to rember. However, under such pre-condition, how can we deal with our interviees? how can be establish trust with our interviees? how should we ask questions?… Our students need to consider and practice in their fieldwork. DFW is just the platform for them to practice and learn.

July 9, 2014

NGOs have become one of the most important stakeholders in rural development of the developing world. However, there are many cases showed what NGOs did in the rural areas did not fit for local political relationship and even broke the trust between local residence and NGOs…

Ms. Sayaka Akiho, docotral student from University of Tsukuba, provided us an lecture about the issues mentioned above. The lectures started with a case study on agriculture technology assemination by NGO in rural areas of Takaev Province, Camboida. Then, Ms. Akiho introduced the process of the NGO project and analyzed the problem of the understanding of participation between local context and NGO’s approach. The contradictions embedded in development processes, between the conceptual forms based on western “participation” idea and actual implementation is constrained by local cutlure. he session was closed by Q & A between Ms. Akiho and participants of OFW.