Ms. Wendy Barrantes, the president of Morpho, a center for independent living for people with disabilities in Costa Rica, received the JICA International Cooperation Award for her longstanding contributions in the field of advocating the rights of people with disabilities and supporting their self-reliance. The award is given to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the social and economic development of developing countries through JICA’s cooperation.
To commemorate this award, a lecture will be held as follows. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Mr. Barrantes about his activities and international efforts to support independent living for people with disabilities. In addition, Mr. Shunji Yenda, representative of Mainstream Association, a center for independent living for persons with disabilities in Hyogo Prefecture, which hosted Mr. Barrantes during his first JICA issue-specific training in Japan in 2009, will also speak on the history of cooperation between Japan and Costa Rica.
We look forward to your participation.
Outline of the event
Date and Time
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Japan time)
How to hold an event
Hybrid face-to-face (JICA Kojimachi HQ Lounge*) and online (Zoom)
*Nibancho Center Building, 5-25 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Program
10:15 Doors open 10:30 Opening 10:35-10:40 Opening remarks (JICA) 10:40-11:00 Talk from Mr. Shunji Yenda, Mainstream Association
JICA’s Subject-Specific Training and Grassroots Technical Cooperation Programs for Achieving Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities in Costa Rica and Latin America 11:00-11:40 Talk by Ms. Wendy Barrantes
How have you worked to achieve independent living for people with disabilities? (The path we have taken so far)
About the network of independent living in Latin America
Currently, we are focusing on the following issues 11:40-11:55 Q&A 11:55-12:00 Communication and closing of the meeting
information security
Japanese and Spanish consecutive interpretation will be provided.
Sign language interpretation, PC text interpretation, and provision of electronic data in advance will be available. If you wish to use these services, please register your participation in the following registration Forms by January 7 (Wed.).
*Please note that printed materials will not be distributed on the day of the event.
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number)
■Conference Content Inquiries
Social Security Team, Human Development Department: Eriko Kobayashi [email protected]
Application Forms (Deadline: Monday, January 19, 2026, 15:00 (Japan Standard Time))
https://forms.office.com/r/gSN7temsKX
*If you have difficulty applying through the above Forms, please contact us at the e-mail address provided with your name and affiliation.
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