Security Workshop for Japanese NGOs Concluded the TOMODACHI NGO Leadership Program supported by J.P. Morgan
From June 6-9, 2016, 39 NGO leaders from around 20 Japanese NGOs – mainly working in the Middle East and South East Asia regions – attended a security workshop titled, “Global Security Management System for NGOs Workshop” to discuss global security management and field security planning. This four-day workshop was the final event under the auspices of the TOMODACHI NGO Leadership Program supported by J.P. Morgan that consists of short-term exchanges and workshops promoting idea exchange and practical training for capacity-building of Japanese NGOs.
On day one of the workshop that was held in Tokyo, Naoko Aoki of J.P. Morgan’s CSR Department gave welcoming remarks to the participants and expressed gratitude for all of their hard work over the past three and a half years to make this program a success. Next, Kaoru Utada, TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni Manager, welcomed the Japanese NGO leaders into the TOMODACHI Generation and encouraged them to help mentor the younger leaders who are part of the alumni network. Norimasa Orii, NGO Coordinator at Japan Platform and the lead facilitator of the security workshop, presented the other facilitators: Anne Dorian from UNHCR Bangkok Regional Office, Basile ‘Laky’ Pissalidis from InterAction, Chris Gibb from Japan Platform, Peter Kozelets from UNCR Regional Coordinator’s Office, and Randy Martin, an international operations consultant—and opened the floor for the NGO leaders to introduce themselves.
In the second part of the workshop, the participants broke up into groups and discussed the top three challenges for Japanese NGOs with regard to global security management, humanitarian architecture, and the principles to understand the definition of “humanitarian security.” The participants listened to a presentation on Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and had a group discussion on what Japanese NGOs can do to strengthen performance under each standard and what they need to reach those goals.
On day two of the workshop that was held at the World Vision Japan office, the participants listened to two presentations—one on security coordination in the field, and the other on creating risk assessment frameworks and templates.
On day three of the workshop, the participants discussed MOSS and advocacy strategies for working in high risk countries.
On the fourth and final day, held at the ADRA Japan office, the participants discussed implementing security training, raising and allocating appropriate funding towards security measures, and how to grow and retain security-related personnel.
Over the past four days, Japanese NGO leaders—with the help of the seven facilitators/trainers—deepened their knowledge and understanding of safety management systems to prioritize safety for Japanese NGO field workers sent to dangerous or hazardous areas.
The TOMODACHI NGO Leadership Program supported by J.P. Morgan is generously funded by J.P. Morgan since 2012. This security workshop, the Global Security Management System for NGOs Workshop, was implemented by Japan Platform and Mercy Corps with support from InterAction, eCentre, and UNHCR.
