Application Deadline: 4.30 p.m., 27 July, 2016
WHAT IS THE HANDS! PROJECT?
Developed by the Japan Foundation Asia Center, the Hope and Dreams (HANDs!) Project serves as a platform for mutual learning, knowledge-sharing and collaboration among young Asian leaders who actively address social issues through their work. The first two editions of the programme saw Fellows observe best practices in tackling disaster education, preparedness and post-disaster recovery in order to apply them in their respective communities.
The 2016-2017 cohort will take on an additional dimension, looking at how environmental protection is vital towards reducing natural disaster impact.
HANDs! aims to get the younger generation more involved in region-wide issues of common interest. To this end, the programme focuses on solutions that utilise the creative arts, such as animation, architecture, dance, drama, design, film, fashion, literature, music and visual arts.
Two Malaysians will join counterparts from seven other countries in research tours throughout Southeast Asia and Japan to survey creative efforts by local organisations, as well as develop project proposals for funding consideration. If approved, they will be given grants to implement the plans.
WHAT HAPPENED AT PAST EDITIONS OF THE HANDS! PROJECT?
Indonesia
Year 1: 2014–2015
? Film screening and discussion with prominent Indonesian director Riri Riza
? Site visits to the Mount Merapi post-eruption area and national broadcaster TVRI
? Dialogue with people displaced by the Mount Merapi eruption
? Disaster simulations and disaster education festivals
Year 2: 2015–2016
? Site visits to areas struck by the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
? Dialogue with survivors of Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
? Lectures on post-disaster recovery by UNICEF and local tourism & culture office
? Community-based activities with rehabilitative arts group Komunitas Tikar Pandan
Philippines
Year 1: 2014–2015
? Lectures on the impact of Typhoon Haiyan
? Community-based activities with Philippines Communitere
? Dialogue with students of San Fernando Elementary School and Leyte Normal University
Year 2: 2015–2016
? Lectures on social entrepreneurship, systems thinking, design thinking, civic engagement and alternative forms of disaster risk reduction
? Discussion with Disaster Education and Experiential Learning (DEEL), a project by first-year HANDs! Fellows
? Workshop on research tools
Thailand
Year 1: 2014–2015
? Discussion with national broadcaster Thai PBS on the role of media during disasters
? Workshop on using gamification for disaster education
? Site visits to areas affected by the Chiang Rai earthquake
? Dialogue with a revered Buddhist monk on religion’s part in post-disaster recovery
Year 2: 2015–2016
? Discussion with Thai PBS on the role of media in DRR
? Dialogue with Save The Children Thailand and Roo Su Flood on creative methods of information dissemination
? Workshop on using gamification for disaster education
? Hands-on management of disaster education festival for two different audiences of children
? Site visits to high-risk villages and dialogue with local leaders
Japan
Year 1: 2014–2015
? Symposium on creative approaches to post-disaster recovery
? Site visits to areas hit by the T?hoku earthquake and tsunami
? Dialogue with local people and disaster-related NGOs
Year 2: 2015–2016
? Site visits to areas hit by the T?hoku earthquake and tsunami
? Dialogue with local people
? Hands-on management of disaster education festival for 300+ local children
WHAT ARE THE ACTION PLANS OF PAST HANDs! PROJECT PARTICIPANTS?
1. DEEL Project by 2014-2015 Philippines and Thai Fellows
2. KIDSASTER EDUAKSI and KIDSASTER Movie Teller by 2014-2015 Indonesian Fellows
3. Safety Travel Tips by 2014-2015 Thai Fellows
4. Children Safety Learning Games by 2014-2015 Indian Fellow
WHAT DOES BEING A HANDs! PROJECT PARTICIPANT ENTAIL?
First phase
1. Research tour #1: 10 days in Philippines and Indonesia (25 September–7 October, 2016)
2. Research tour #2: 10 days in Thailand and Japan (February/March 2017)
Second phase
1. Build a network of contacts pertinent to disaster education and environmental protection issues.
2. Propose a new disaster education and/or environmental protection related project to the Japan Foundation Asia Center.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applicants must fulfil ALL of the following criteria:
1. Applicants must be a young professional (social worker, creative worker, journalist, etc.) with at least one year of work experience.
2. Applicants must be interested in or have experienced community engagement in such fields as disaster risk reduction and environmental protection. Individuals who have worked on other issues of interest are also encouraged to apply.
3. Applicants must be eager to learn from other countries’ experiences with regards to natural disasters and environmental issues.
4. Applicants must exhibit a willingness to utilise the creative arts in their planned disaster education and/or environmental protection related project.
5. Applicants must be aged 35 years and below at the time of application (29 July, 2016).
6. Applicants must have excellent English proficiency and good communication skills.
7. Applicants must be in good physical and mental shape.
8. Applicants must be able to commit to the full length of the programme:
a) 25 September–7 October, 2016
b) February/March 2017 (TBC)
c) April 2017 onwards (for project proposal and implementation)
WHAT MUST I PREPARE AND SUBMIT TO APPLY?
1. HANDs! application form (download here)
2. CV in English (must not exceed 5 pages)
3. Two work samples, e.g. short essays, news articles, journal articles, graphic designs, illustrations, photo essays, videos, etc.
All documents should not exceed a cumulative 10MB. Should you exceed this file size, please upload them to the relevant hosting website (e.g. YouTube for videos, Behance for illustrations) and send us the link.
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW SHOULD I SEND THESE DOCUMENTS?
Attach the documents to an email and send it to press [at] jfkl.org.my with the subject line “HANDs!/Applicant’s Name” by 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 27 July, 2016.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE HANDS! PROJECT AND APPLICATION PROCESS?
Please contact the Malaysia Programme Coordinator, Tristan Toh, via email at press [at] jfkl.org.my or call 03 2284 6228.
This call for applications is for Malaysian citizens only. If you are an overseas national, please contact your local participating Japan Foundation office:
For Japanese applicants
The Japan Foundation Asia Center
TEL: (+81 3) 5369 6025 | WEB: jpf.go.jp | E: handsjapan@jpf.go.jp
For Indonesian applicants
The Japan Foundation, Jakarta
TEL: (+62 21) 520 1266 | WEB: jpf.or.id | E: hands@jpf.or.id
For Philippines applicants
The Japan Foundation, Manila
TEL: (+63 2) 811 6155 to 58 | WEB: jfmo.org.ph | E: mocampo@jfmo.org.ph
For Thai and Myanmar applicants
The Japan Foundation, Bangkok
TEL: (+66 2) 260-8560-4 | WEB: jfbkk.or.th | E: wathana@jfbkk.or.th
For Indian and Nepalese applicants
The Japan Foundation, New Delhi
TEL: (+91 11) 2644 2967/68/71/72 | WEB: jfindia.org.in | E: query@jfindia.org.in
DOWNLOADS
1. Application form (docx/239kb)
2. Application guidelines (pdf/419kb)
3. HANDs! Project 2014-2015 programme booklet (pdf/1.2mb)
4. Flyer (pdf/642kb)
