What is the Shimanami Collective?
The Shimanami Collective is a series of capacity-building and training programmes for the Asia Pacific organised by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Division for Prosperity. It aims to build resilience against disasters and to enhance sea and human security by empowering youth and women in the Asia Pacific region. With financial support from the Government and the People of Japan, the Shimanami Collective consists of specialised training in three areas: Sea and Human Security Early Warning Systems, and Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Shimanami, also known as the Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道, Shimanami Kaidō), is a scenic route in Japan that connects the main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, linking six small islands along the way. Shimanami symbolizes connectivity and integration of diverse cultures, ideas, and people. Through the Shimanami Collective, we aim to equip youth and women with the knowledge, skills, and network they need to build local resilience and foster regional collaboration in our changing world.
What are the programmes under Shimanami Collective?
From 2016 to present, UNITAR initiated the first cycle of the Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme (DRR) in 2016 with a focus on empowerment and capacity building of people living in the disaster-prone areas. Building on the success of the DRR programme, the UNITAR Division for Prosperity is expanding its contributions by incorporating two distinct, yet interrelated programmes in 2024: Sea and Human Security and Early Warning Systems. These programmes aim to further strengthen collaboration and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.
The 2024 cycle of the Shimanami Collective consists of three training programmes:
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1. Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security Training (FOIP)
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2. Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems Training (EWS)
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3. Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training (DRR)
Programme Information
About UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the principal training arm of the United Nations. We work in every region of the world to provide innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action to shape a better future. UNITAR’s strategic framework harmonizes with the four key pillars of 2030 Agenda – Peace, People, Planet and Prosperity – and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2022, UNITAR trained over 395,000 learners around the world through faceto-face seminars, workshops, e-learning platforms and other training-related events.
Our trainings are highly interactive and skill-oriented, grounded in adult learning principles and tailored to meet the unique requirements of our participants. By immersing our learners in practical scenarios, fostering peer-to-peer collaboration and providing mentorship, we empower individuals to apply their new knowledge and skills to catalyze real change in their lives and in their communities.
About Division for Prosperity
The Division for Prosperity is one of UNITAR’s seven programme divisions. Based on our commitment to “leave no one behind”, our creative, cutting-edge, practical learning and knowledge-sharing services promote sustainable, inclusive and just economic development and catalyse the creation of decent employment opportunities for all. UNITAR Division for Prosperity works with present and future change-makers from around the world. We support youth and women in particular to address growing inequalities and collaborate with diverse partners at the local, regional and global levels – all to propel the 2030 Agenda and SDGs and achieve an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world.
900+
Participants
Participants
20
countries
countries
51%+
Women Participants
Women Participants
Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security (FOIP)
200+
Participants
Participants
10+
Pacific Island Countries
Pacific Island Countries
Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems
500+
Participants
Participants
70%+
Women Participants
Women Participants
Women's Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme
