Views on Local Networks Construction
Presented by
Mr. Khondaker ASADUZZAMAN (Bangladesh) 1998079
ABSTRACT
The WMU Japan Fellows Forum paves the way for the creation of a professional network for the WMU Japan Fellows who are playing important roles as maritime affairs professionals around the world. The proposed Network would benefit the fellows in many ways, and would promote cooperation among different countries in the field of maritime development. Once the WMU Japan Fellows Network is established, its members would be expected to establish local networks in their respective countries. The paper briefly discusses the purpose of the local networks as well as the activities they can undertake.
I thank the Tokyo Foundation and the Ship & Ocean Foundation for planning and convening the WMU Japan Fellows Forum in Tokyo. The Forum is expected to promote bonds of lasting friendship among the Japan Fellows and to develop effective cooperation in the maritime sector between Japan and the countries where the Fellows come from. It also opens the way for the creation of a professional network for the WMU Japan Fellows - the WMU graduates and students who received fellowships from different Japanese organizations.
Most of the Japan Fellows are playing important roles as maritime affairs professionals in their respective countries or elsewhere in the world. They have immense potential for fostering ongoing professional development at local, regional and global levels by promoting multilateral exchanges.
The proposed Network would play a vital role in allowing the WMU Japan Fellows to be in easy and constant contact with each other. It will facilitate sharing of latest information and knowledge regarding maritime development, and promote cooperation among different countries in the field of maritime development.
Once the WMU Japan Fellows Network is established, all the members should endeavour to establish local networks in their respective countries. A local network would consist of all the Japan Fellows of the country who have graduated from the WMU. Students currently studying at the WMU would join the network immediately after they return home. The purpose of the local network and their activities should be as follows:
a) Local networks should be formed in accordance with the guideline agreed on at the central Network level, but they will be run independently by the local members;
b) A local network would work for facilitating promotion of cooperation on regional and global basis regarding maritime issues including marine environment protection;
c) It would contribute towards overall welfare of the local maritime professionals in terms of their professional development, better employment opportunities, assistance for addressing problems encountered by them at work etc.;
d) A local network would keep in touch with other local or regional networks for obtaining useful information, expert advice and active assistance in order to help find solutions to problems at home;
e) Network members should meet frequently for dissemination and sharing of new knowledge and facts on recent developments in the maritime world, and for exchanging views and ideas with each other;
f) A local network would hold regular meetings to review recent activities, major development, problems etc. in the maritime sector of the country;
g) It would advise the local maritime authorities or govt. agencies on important maritime matters or policy decisions;
h) It would be in regular contact with the students from the country currently studying at WMU and render assistance to them for successful completion of their studies;
i) A local network would discuss ways to further strengthen professional activities, education and research in maritime affairs, and assess the changing need for support from the world community including the Japanese mentors;
j) It would devise ways to ensure best possible use of WMU-related programmes and activities undertaken by the Japanese organizations towards the professional development of the local maritime professionals;
k) It would encourage and advance personal exchanges of ideas and views between local Fellows and Japanese maritime professionals and experts;
l) It should maintain regular contact with the headquarters of the central Network and provide information about its activities and achievements;
m) A local network should develop its homepage on the Web which will be linked to the central Network's homepage;
n) A local network would publish a yearly newsletter and make its electronic copies available at the network's homepage;
o) Local networks would attempt to organize regional or sub-regional conferences at least once in every two years.
