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The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Advocate Jacob F.N. Mudenda, delivered remarks at a lecture on 8 October 2024, welcoming Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Mudenda’s speech was nothing short of a tribute to JICA’s monumental impact on Zimbabwe’s development. He passionately highlighted how, since the early 1990s, JICA has been the backbone of progress in critical sectors like infrastructure development, agriculture, health, and education.
“This partnership has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for transformation,” Mudenda declared, underscoring the indispensable role JICA has played in shaping Zimbabwe’s future.
Drawing parallels between Zimbabwe’s current economic trajectory and Japan’s post-World War II resurgence, Mudenda expressed hope that Dr. Kitaoka’s lecture would offer insights into Japan’s success, which he believes could serve as a template for Zimbabwe and other developing countries. He highlighted Japan’s “technological excellence” and “unparalleled automobile metrics,” citing the nation as a “remarkable example of how a nation can rise from the ashes of war to become a beacon of development.”
Mudenda urged the audience to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, quoting futurist Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” He emphasized the need to transform challenges into opportunities for economic growth and to utilize resources efficiently.
The Speaker concluded by expressing his anticipation that Dr. Kitaoka’s lecture would inspire Parliament to strengthen its role in driving Zimbabwe’s development through its oversight, legislative, and representative functions.
Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka is a distinguished academic and diplomat who currently serves as the Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He previously held the position of President of JICA from October 2015 to March 2022. Dr. Kitaoka is also a Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo.
During his tenure as President of JICA, he was instrumental in promoting international cooperation and development, particularly through the JICA Chair Program, which aims to share Japan’s experiences with developing countries. He has delivered numerous lectures worldwide, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and the historical and modern developments of Japan.
