Video-message from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the Opening Ceremony
“The 8th International Conference for Universal Design in the Cloud 2021” was successfully held on February 26 and 27, marking the first holding online due to the spread of the COVID-19. It received appx.660 participants from 25 countries or regions (UK, Denmark Germany, Jordan, India, Thailand, Mexico, Japan etc.) and ended as a resounding success.
This is the first online international conferences that will be held multiple times as a prelude to the “9th International Conference for Universal Design in Dubai 2021 (tentative)” scheduled to be held in the autumn of 2021.
The theme on this occasion was “Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention” and the outcomes of the research and solutions for it based on scientific evidence that have been carried out thus far were shared through the keynote addresses, lecture sessions, and panel discussions featuring experts from countries worldwide.
Furthermore, we could bring together the knowledge and it was served as a very good opportunity extensively raises awareness regarding UD.
February 26, Friday
On the first day it was held Keynote speeches and Panel discussion by invited speakers from Japan and overseas.
As for ensuring the reliable provision of information during the conference, participants could listen to simultaneous interpretation in English or Japanese, Japanese sign-language interpretation and simultaneous subtitles in Japanese were offered on the screen.
Opening Ceremony
The event was opened with an address by Satoshi Kose (Chairman, Board of Directors, IAUD). This was followed by a host greeting by Mr. Hisafumi Koga (President, Organizing Committee / Honorary Chairman, Kyodo Public Relations Co., Ltd.), and the showing of a video message from Mr. Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister.
Following this, Keiji Kawahara (Executive Director, IAUD) gave an address to close the ceremony.
Open Symposium
Keynote Address 1: Practical use of the engineering control technology for various infection
Masafumi Akiyoshi
(Associate Professor, Radiation research center, Organization for research promotion / Graduate school of engineering division of quantum and radiation engineering, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan）
Keynote Address 2: The Coronavirus Inactivating Effect and Safety of 222nm Ultraviolet Rays
Tatsushi Igarashi
(Executive Technical Advisor, Care 222nm Project, Business Management Head Quarters, Ushio Inc., Japan)
Chikako Nishigori
(Professor, Department of Dermatology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan)
Toshiharu Arai (Professor Emeritus, Kanazawa College of Art, Japan)
Onny Eikhaug (President, EIDD Design for All Europe, Norway)
Valerie Fletcher (Executive Director, Institute of Human Centered Design, USA)
Rama Gheerawo (Director, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art, UK)
Fumikazu Masuda (President, open house inc. / Visiting Professor, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Japan)
*Coordinator: Toshimasa Yamanaka (MC: Professor, University of Tsukuba / Councilor, IAUD, Japan)
Panelists: Mr.Aragall, Mr.Gheerawo, Mr.Arai, Ms.Eikhaug, Ms.Fletcher and Mr.Masuda
Mr.Yamanaka
In regard to the the conference theme“Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention,” a panel of six UD experts from five countries introduced the knowledge and experience of each country in the fight against the pandemic. Also, they discussed what universal design can contribute to society toward “New Normal” or “Post Corona”.
February 27, Saturday
On the second day five lecture sessions on professional and technical knowledge were given and a panel discussion took place by experts from Japan. Furthermore, UD Workshops has started.
Lecture Session
Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention 1
“Efficacy and Precautions for UV Sterilizing Light”
Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention 2
“Characteristics and Productization of 222nm Ultraviolet Rays”
Tomomi Murakami
(Assistant Manager, Sales Department 5, Light Source Business Division, Business Management Headquarters, Ushio Inc., Japan)
Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention 3
“Antimicrobial Effect of Photocatalyst and Application to Products”
Masahiro Miyauchi
(Professor, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan)
Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention 4
“Example of using aphotic catalyst action of the titanium phosphate compound with antibacterial and antiviral effects”
Satoshi Kose (Professor Emeritus, Shizuoka University of Art and Culture / Guest Researcher, Building Research Institute, Japan)
*Coordinator: Keiji Kawahara (Professor, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences / Executive Director, IAUD, Japan)
Panelists: Mr.Arai, Mr.Masuda, Mr.Oshima, Mr.Kubo, Mr.Sagara and Mr.Kose
Mr.Kawahara
In order to summarize the two-day program, five UD experts of Japan served as panelists and provided their opinions and thoughts regarding the conference theme and they discussed what we should do and what we can approach from UD towards the end of the pandemic and the development of a sustainable society. In addition, it was presented guidelines and requests for the UD workshops.
Kick-off of UD Workshops
Facilitators:
Makoto Oshima (Professor, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Japan)
Masayoshi Kubo (Honorary Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Japan)
Facilitators: Mr.Oshima, Mr.Sagara and Mr.Kubo
This workshop is design development workshops through discussion and in line with the theme on this conference and we literally propose a “design to survive” related to “Design for the Coronavirus Infection Prevention”.
The workshop has started with appx.30 participants from 5 countries after the panel discussion and the outcome should be put together in 2 weeks which will be by 12 March.
The two-day conference was officially closed after Mr. Keiji Kawahara, Co-chair, Executive Committee, delivered the closing address.
Going forward, we will thoroughly carry out review work regarding this conference, and will work hard so that UD initiatives continue to significantly contribute to a safe and secure society. As such, we hope to receive your ongoing support and assistance in the future.
