Missions: The Aims and Activities of ILCAA as an International Research Center
Aims
The vast land masses of Asia and Africa are home to over 70% of humankind today, who evince great diversity in languages and cultures that are nonetheless intertwined inseparably. The aim of the research activities of ILCAA is to better understand this intricate and complex region, with all its historical background. The study of this area undoubtedly enhances our understanding of the international community. The linguistic and cultural diversity witnessed in this region offers a possible model of the world where such diversity can be maintained even in this century of globalization.
ILCAA’s Missions
ILCAA operates with the following three missions:
- Conducting collaborative research projects
- Processing, editing, and disseminating data on languages and cultures of Asia and Africa
- Training junior scholars through joint research, workshops, and seminars
Activities
In order to accomplish these missions, ILCAA conducts the following research activities:
1. Conducting collaborative research projects
- Field research:
Externally Funded Projects - Development of “field science”:
Field Science Center, Fieldnet - Conducting joint research:
Joint Research Projects, Joint Research Group, Research Fellows, Joint Researchers - Building international collaborative networks:
Overseas Satellite Offices, Visiting professors and scholars, Academic Cooperation Agreements, ILCAA Affiliated Scholars
2. Processing, editing, and disseminating data on the languages and cultures of Asia and Africa
- Collecting research data and information:
Library - Accumulating, processing, and analyzing research data:
Information Resources Center (IRC), Phonetics Laboratory - Making research data and results available:
On-Line Resources, Publications, Public Exhibitions
3. Training junior scholars through joint research, workshops, and seminars
- Conducting workshops and seminars:
Seminars - Accepting junior scholars and students:
Graduate Courses, Research Students, Research Associates, Junior Research Fellows, JSPS Research Fellows - Building networks for junior scholars:
Fieldnet
Core Research Projects
Four projects have been selected as the “Core Research Projects” of the Institute for the next three years (April, 2022—March, 2028).
- Description and Documentation of Language Dynamics in Asia and Africa: Toward a More In-depth Understanding of the Languages and Cultures of People Living in Asia and Africa (DDDLing)
- Anthropological Inquiry of Sociality: Dynamics of Tolerance/Intolerance in Transcultural Contexts
- Field Archiving of Memory: Dynamics of Cooperation in Muslim Society
Functions as a Center
Although there are research institutions in Japan that focus their research on parts of Asia or Africa, ILCAA is the only research center that covers both of these areas and all three disciplines: linguistics, anthropology, and history. As a unique center, ILCAA is committed to conducting fundamental research on the languages and cultures of Asia and Africa. ILCAA has the obligation to function as a center for organizing joint research that transcends particular areas and/or disciplines; collecting, editing, and disseminating research resources; and providing training for future generations of researchers.
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