GRIPS conducted a six-day capacity development program; Bangsamoro Comprehensive Capacity Development Project from March 18 to 23, 2013.

The program was held at the request of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). GRIPS welcomed the delegation from the Bangsamoro in the Philippines.

The 19 members of the delegation were from the Peace negotiation team of MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front)and the members of TC (Transition Committee) appointed by the Philippine government for formulating the Bangsamoro Basic Law and coordinating the socio-economic development in Bangsamoro Area.

The 19 trainees headed by Mr. Mohagher Iqbal (Chairman of TC, Head of the
Peace negotiation team of MILF) visited GRIPS and attended the keynote speech by President Takashi Shiraishi and lectures by Professor Horie (Vice-President), Prof. Mikitaka Masuyama (Advisor to the President), Prof. Kiyotaka Yokomichi (Program Director; Advisor to the President) and Senior Prof. Yonosuke Hara.

They learned about Japan’s government and public administration including the Diet, as well as Japan’s electoral system and the political party system, local governance system, and process of modernization and socio-economic development.

In Tokyo, participants also visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the National Diet.

The delegation also went on a field trip to Hiroshima Prefecture and Etajima City with Prof. Masaei Matsunaga (Specially Assigned Professor of GRIPS), and they received a wrap-up session by Prof. Hiroshi Katayama (Kobe University). By visiting the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and an oyster farm in Etajima City, they learned about reconstruction and economic recovery after the Second World War destruction.
Lastly, they visited Kyoto, an ancient capital city of Japan.