Message from Director

  The Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education (CICE), established in 1997, is soon approaching its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the global discourse on educational development has shifted from a focus on expanding access—“education for all”—to ensuring quality—“quality education for all.” In response to these evolving priorities, CICE has continuously adapted and refined its mission.

  However, as educational development has advanced globally, we now face new and complex challenges. Ironically, progress has sometimes led to an increase in educational disparities. The issue of marginalized populations who still lack access to formal education is becoming an even more urgent concern. Moreover, crises such as the global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine have caused significant learning losses, the long-term effects of which are likely to be profound and lasting.

  In addressing these global-scale issues, CICE has sought to bring together both academic and practical knowledge. We have engaged in a variety of collaborative research projects with scholars from Asia and Africa. Through JICA-sponsored training programs conducted at our center, we have welcomed not only participants from Asian and African nations but also trainees from Ukraine.

  These opportunities foster dialogue among educators, researchers, students, and education policymakers, contributing—albeit modestly—to laying the groundwork for recovery and resilience.

  CICE has also played an important role in shaping global education policy. Professor Kazuhiro Yoshida, former Director of CICE, served as Vice-Chair (currently Co-Chair) of the UNESCO SDG Steering Committee and contributed to the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, particularly SDG 4. In this sense, CICE can be considered a key institution in the birth and advancement of SDG 4.

  Furthermore, CICE has transformed its in-house journal, Journal of International Cooperation in Education, into a globally recognized open-access academic journal in collaboration with the leading academic publisher Emerald. Backed by a first-rate editorial board, the journal continues to promote scholarly debate with a unique approach that incorporates perspectives beyond the Western paradigm.

  Leveraging and expanding the rich human and institutional networks that CICE has established over the years, we remain committed to exploring new frontiers in international educational cooperation. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and guidance.

Tatsuya Kusakabe, CICE Director

April, 2025