Activities in Argentina

Third-Country Training Project

Background and Objective

Third-Country Training Project will bolster the capacity of Argentina to provide assistance through South-South cooperation, based on the Partnership Programme for Joint Cooperation between Japan and Argentina signed in May 2001. With the long-term perspective of Argentina progressing from being a recipient of aid to an emerging aid-giving nation, support will be provided toward accumulating knowledge and experience as being a donor nation.

Currently, Argentina provides third country training in the five areas described in the next section.

Project Summary

1. Ranger training

With the object of raising the standard of rangers in agencies that manage natural protection areas in Latin America, classes in theory and practical training are being held in such areas as the legal system governing natural protection, the role of the ranger, ethics and the law, activity planning, the environment and working with residents.

2. Water quality analysis

With the object of transferring the technology necessary to prevent industrial water pollution in the Latin America region, theoretical and practical training are being provided on the chemical analysis of water to look for dangerous substances such as PCBs and heavy metals as well as on pollution evaluation and water pollution treatment. Other topics include an overview of cleaner production technologies applied to the chemical and machinery industries.

3. Remote sensing with ASTER data

Training participants from the Latin America region are learning how to analyze digital images from ASTER* data and to evaluate the results. They are also becoming familiar with applied techniques in evaluating and monitoring geological and environmental issues and with the features of ASTER data.

* ASTER is a satellite-based remote sensory device, producing measurements of Earth, which is a joint project of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and NASA of the US.

4. Comprehensive control of plant viral diseases

With the aim of raising the technical level of researchers and engineers working in the field of plant disease prevention throughout Latin America, theoretical and practical training are being provided to identify plant pathogens, diagnose viral diseases in plants, implement epidemiological studies on plant viral diseases and eliminate plant viral diseases.

5. Planning to ensure food security for the poor

Aiming at raising the intellectual and technical standard of systems to ensure food security for the socially disadvantaged in the Latin America region, lectures and discussions are being held on such topics as the principles of vegetable seed production, health and nutrition, and organic agriculture.