May 22, 2014
The International Association for Universal Design (IAUD, Patron Her Imperial Highness Princess Yohko) will hold "The 5th International Conference for Universal Design in Fukushima & Tokyo 2014" in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo Metropolitan in November 2014.
Universal design (UD) is to design, from the start, equipment, a building, or living space so that it will be utilized by as many people as possible.
Established in November 2003, IAUD in its founding objectives refers to "universal design" as the creation of a social environment where the humanity of each and every individual is respected, and advocates the rapid establishment of a human-oriented social framework applicable to all aspects of society where the relationship of user and producer are redefined.
However, the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster suffered by Japan three years ago reminded us that we must first deal with threats to the basic safety of human beings before we can ensure respect for human life and human rights. At The 5th International Conference for Universal Design in Fukushima & Tokyo 2014 where our theme was “Safety and Security – Thinking about the Foundations of Universal Design,” we engaged in various exchanges of opinions.
Indeed, in Japan today, this is one of the most pressing issues that cannot be ignored. Even in Tokyo, which experienced the Great Kanto Earthquake, where various countermeasures are currently being put in place in anticipation of a vertical earthquake predicted for the metropolitan area in the next several years, and in Fukushima Prefecture and other prefectures in the Tohoku area, which are still trying to recover and to rebuild their communities in the aftermath of the recent earthquake disaster, there is a need to continue to bring together the wisdom of many minds and deepen our examination of ways to ensure safety and security.
Moreover, Tokyo, as the host of the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012, has a responsibility to develop and upgrade urban infrastructure that will be both safe and easily accessible to a variety of people including the aged, people with disabilities, children and expectant women, and foreign visitors with different languages and lifestyles. To achieve this, Tokyo must thoroughly adopt designs that take into consideration human dignity and diversity from every aspect of society so that people will not be unfairly excluded, even in a disaster or other emergency crisis, due to their age, gender, nationality, and difference in abilities. At this time, we believe that what is needed as the first step is a spirit of “wa” (harmony) and “tolerance,” values that have developed in the context of Japan’s unique culture and history and which have nurtured qualities such as “consideration for others” and “hospitality.” This is exactly what is meant by the spirit of UD, which is founded on the fundamental principle of “Diversity & Inclusion.”
In this way, the very values that Japanese people take for granted are surprising and refreshingly stimulating to people of other countries. These values are also viewed as a beacon for saving the world from chaos. The practice of UD is not only beneficial to all people in Japan. On the contrary, the establishment of UD as a global model and its deployment on a global scale will contribute significantly to the earth’s environment and a sustainable future for the mankind.
This fifth international conference will have for its theme “Glocalized Development for Universal Design —Towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Through the constructive and active exchange of ideas and the experience of participants from far and near we will aim at realizing a better UD society with spontaneous and sustainable individual contributions. We hope that you will endorse our initiative, support it by enlisting like-minded individuals and organizations of every background and by personally joining us.