[Online Event] Connect-Shiga “Regional Design and Anthropology in Shiga” ~Guest Talk & Shiga Seminar 2020 Presentation~

Hello, this is Nakayama from the general incorporated association Shiga-jin.
(Please see this article for more about Shiga-jin.)

This time, I would like to introduce an event scheduled to be held online on Saturday, February 20, 2021.
If you would like to participate, please apply via this application form.

Now, here is the introduction to the event.

■ About this event

This event, “Connect-Shiga: Regional Design and Anthropology in Shiga”, consists of two main parts: a guest talk and a presentation for the “Shiga Seminar 2020”, which has been active in the Shiga region.

In the first part, the guest talk, we will welcome Ko Hayakawa of Osaka International University, who researches and practices community development from the perspective of cultural anthropology, and Hideyuki Funakoshi, who has been involved in numerous regional startup support projects at the Shiga Industrial Support Plaza, as our guests to share their insights.

If you are wondering what Mr. Hayakawa’s specialty, “community development and cultural anthropology,” actually means, please be sure to read these articles. I found it very interesting to learn that there is such a way of thinking. (What particularly caught my attention, Nakayama, was the part about
“conversely new”.)

Our other guest, Mr. Funakoshi, has been involved in startup support in Shiga for a long time. In 2016, he was certified as an “Industry Creator,” a title awarded to only four people in the entire country. For more on his activities, please see this article. He often receives startup consultations from people who wish to return to their hometowns or relocate, and he plans to talk about examples of interesting activities currently happening in Shiga.

In the second part, with Hironori Iwasaki of Hakuhodo, a native of Nagahama City, as moderator, we will hold the final presentation for “Shiga Seminar 2020,” where members with ties to Shiga living outside the prefecture use design thinking to attempt to solve regional issues in Shiga.

Shiga Seminar 2020 is conducted with Mr. Iwasaki as the instructor, focusing on design thinking, particularly the aspect of “how can new opportunities be discovered?”. In the process, we have applied anthropological ways of thinking, such as fieldwork and interviews.

On the day of the event, seminar participants who have actually visited the local area will give presentations and engage in discussions with local residents and guests.

(Scenes from fieldwork)

Personally, I would like to hear through guest talks and discussions about what it means for people who are not locals but stand in the intermediate area of “insider and outsider” due to being from or having ties to Shiga to think about the region and create ideas. I also hope to hear about introductions to new activities started in Shiga by people who have returned or relocated, and the key points behind them.

We look forward to the participation of various people, including those interested in activities in Shiga, those exploring how to connect with their hometowns, and those interested in practicing design in a regional context!

■ Event Overview

・Date and Time: Saturday, February 20, 2021, 14:00-17:00
・Location: Online streaming
　*The viewing URL will be shared with those who apply.
　　There will be a catch-up viewing option available for those who cannot attend on the day.
・Participation Fee: Free
・Content
◯ Part 1 | Guest Talk “Regional Design and Anthropology in Shiga”
　Guests: Ko Hayakawa (Osaka International University)
　　　　　Hideyuki Funakoshi (Shiga Industrial Support Plaza)
◯ Part 2 | Shiga Seminar 2020 Presentation
　Moderator: Hironori Iwasaki (Hakuhodo)
◯ Online Networking Session
*Details are currently being considered, but we are planning an online networking session for those who wish to participate.

■ Please apply for participation via the Google Form!

◯Click here for the Shiga Seminar 2020 overview page↓

◯There is also a LINE OpenChat for the “Connect-Shiga” community to connect with Shiga. It is a community where you can think a little about “Shiga” whenever you open LINE, featuring introductions to events and activities related to Shiga, information sharing by participants, and more. Join here↓

◯Organizer: Shiga Prefecture
◯Planning and Management: Shiga-jin General Incorporated Association
◯Inquiries: info@shiga-jin.org (Contact: Nakayama)