Discussing Challenges in Reconstruction Projects: The 3rd "Michinoku Creative Camp" Held

The third workshop for businesses and organizations in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, "Michinoku Creative Camp" (hosted by NPO Etic and Michinoku Reconstruction Project Partners), was held on July 11 and 12 in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, with approximately 40 participants.

Participants discussed challenges for each project in group work

 

This workshop was conducted as part of the "Michinoku Reconstruction Business Partners" (Note) initiative, a platform where companies collaborate to support local businesses and organizations engaged in reconstruction efforts. Seven organizations from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures, which are beneficiaries of Etic's "Right-Hand Man Dispatch Program," participated. Masahiro Makiguchi, Director of Dentsu Inc.'s 1CR Planning Bureau, served as facilitator.

Through group work, participants discussed challenges and solutions for each organization's projects. The four organizations that participated in the previous workshop at the end of January reported on the implementation of solutions proposed six months prior and discussed new challenges and solutions with participating corporate representatives.

Tetsu Kojima from Namie Town Office in Fukushima Prefecture, participating for the first time, commented on the workshop's outcomes: "By incorporating perspectives from companies and other organizations, our team was able to share ideas on how to leverage adversity for effective information dissemination." Haruo Miyagi, Representative Director of Etic., emphasized the workshop's significance: "For the people of Tohoku who have been running nonstop since the disaster, having an opportunity to re-examine the value of their activities is extremely important for evolving their work."

(Note) Michinoku Reconstruction Project Partners is

A framework where companies collaborate to support leaders working on reconstruction in disaster-affected areas. As of July 2014, participating companies include Ajinomoto, Isuzu Motors, Kao, Sompo Japan Insurance, Dentsu Inc., Toshiba, and Benesse Holdings.