Announcement Special Session of Perspective from Denmark

I beg to inform to all that Special Session of Perspective from Denmark in The 3rd International Conference for Universal design in HAMAMATSU 2010. I am supposed to have a lecture with Danish Journalist, Karin Bendixen, on the 2nd of Nov.

The 3rd International Conference for Universal design in HAMAMATSU 2010
Dates : October 30 (Sat), 2010 — November 3 (Wed), 2010
Venue : ACT CITY Hamamatsu, etc.
Host : International Association for Universal Design (IAUD)

Here is outline of my presentation.

"Danish Self Decision and Receptive Diversity"

We (Japanese) know that Danish Culture is remarkable especially in the field of welfare system and sustainable life. To gain knowledge about Danish way would be great chance to change our strict (inflexible) discipline to innovative way. But, If we just imitate their way, our attempt must fail. Their way comes from the sense of value and can not fit Japanese one.
I have researched several Danish tradition such like Egmont Højskole, Krogerup Højskole and Eco-villadge called Svanholm through living with them. Moreover, I have visited Danish Kindergarden, Primary School, Senior Center, Center for Assistive tools, some exhibitions for assistive tools and so force. I attempt to analyze their essence of the sense of value, then suggest our next target.

Agenda

1, Relation Between Self Decision and the Assistive Tool
2, Approach for diversity community
3, Conclusion for next target of Japanese UD

1, Relation Between Self Decision and the Assistive Tool

1) Scenery How Danish use assistive tools

(1) Egmont Højskole
Students take advantage of many different kinds of assistive tools and take it for granted for that
(2) Town
Many electric carts are being used
(3) Institution and Exhibition
Many different kinds of assistive tools exhibited

-> Why there are so many assistive tools in their daily life ?

2) Assumption

(1) Huge budget of welfare by the high tax
(2) Philosophy of Normalization

And... Respect Self Decision -> It could be the key element.

3) Movement of Self Decision

(1) Scenery How Self Decision is being developed
In Kindergarden …
In Primary School …
In Senior Center …

(2) Essence of Self Decision
-Personal Level
Asked what you want -> Define what I want -> Request the right to choose -> Attitude to take advantage of different tools
-Environment Level
Arrangement various opportunities for citizen -> Development different tools for each scenery

4) Background of Self Decision
(1) Movement of Democracy ...
(2) Most effective social for equal status among Europe ...

5) Comparison Universal Design between Denmark and Japan
(1) Condition of Japanese
- Competitive Market ( Digital camera, Household Electronics... ) -> Develop many different kinds of "functions"
- Discipline Character, Dedicated Sensitivity -> Focus on detail
- Strict Connection to CSR -> Take more effective way -> Focus on daily products in order to attract ordinary (wide market)

-> Focus on narrow market ( only daily use products ) but deep
-> More convenience but stigma design ( Nobody wants use )

(2) Condition of Denmark
- Self Decision -> Take advantage of various tools -> Develop many different kinds of "tools"
- Welfare budget -> Supply various tools

-> Focus on wide market (from daily use products to specialized use products) but NOT deep
-> More practical but NOT stigma design

2, Approach for diversity community

1) Disabilities and Ordinary in Egmont Højskole
(1) Students earn by helping disabilities while studying (Win-Win Relationship) -> Involving ordinary
(2) Living with disabilities -> Make it be unique -> Attract others on the outside -> Involving visitor
(3) Living with disabilities -> Make it be laboratory towards Use Driven Innovation -> Involving researcher, designer...
(4) Living with disabilities -> Make students be open -> Involving GID (Gender Identity Disorder)
(5) Dialog about disabilities -> Share their own disability -> Make students be open -> Make students tell to others -> Involving others

Then, Visitor from the outside -> Make them be more active

-> Be diversity

2) Child to Elderly in Svanholm (eco village)
(1) Sustainable life -> Make it be comfortable -> Attract others on the outside -> Involving visitor
(2) Self sufficiency (food, electricity, heating, water purifier) -> Make it be laboratory -> Involving researcher, designer...
(3) Organic food -> Involving vegetarian, person with food allergy Help each other between young couple with baby -> Involving child
(4) Great nature -> Give them big park for children -> Involving child
(5) Kindergarden -> Give elderly the chance to take care for children (as a small job)-> Make elderly be active and stay longer
(6) Various occasion (artist, scientist, architect, designer, accountant...) -> Attract and stimulate each other -> Make them tell to others -> Involving new resident
(7) Beautiful Castle -> Give them typical symbol of community (Make them be proud) -> Attract others on the outside -> Involving visitor

-> Be diversity

3) Domestic and International in Krogerup Højskole
(1) Speak English -> Involving International Students
(2) International Students -> Attract Danish Students ( Meet different culture ) -> Involving Domestic student and visitor
(3) Open Cultural Event by International students -> Involving visitor

-> Be diversity

4) Pedestrian to Bicycle in the traffic
(1) Road for bicycle -> Road for electric cart -> Involving various personal mobility
(2) Get on train with bicycle -> Enough space for pram and walking frame -> Involving various personal mobility
(3) Various personal mobility -> Give citizen chance to choose eco-friendly mobility

-> Be diversity

3, Conclusion for next target of Japanese UD

We have contributed daily products for UD past decade. But also we have left possibilities to improve the specialized tools in Japan. We have to arrange more choices for all.
Japanese Industry has succeeded after WW2. Fortunately, Our characteristic such like Discipline, Co-operation, Humble and Dedicate Sensitivity have contributed our success for High Quality Products. However, Our Planet are confronting negative climate change. We have to change our attitude instead of Industry Success. Danish way such like Self Definition and HYGGE is the key essence to enjoy our like without more consumption.