The official invitation-program of the Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Laureates to JapanMarch 2023
The Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize award ceremony was held on the occasion of TICAD8 in Tunis, Tunisia, in August last year, and the invitation program for the laureates took place from 13th to 17th March 2023.
The invitees included Dr. Salim S. Abdool Karim and Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, who were jointly awarded for their global contributions to HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment in the Medical Research Category, which made great contribution, not only to Africa, but also to the whole world, as well as two staff members, Mr. Adam Weiss (Director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program) and Ms. Meagan Martz (Senior Associate Director of the Carter Center), who were representing the Carter Center, being awarded for the Guinea Worm Eradication Program as the organization laureate in the Medical Services Category, which has been recognized for achieving near complete elimination of the disease with the African partnership.
The invitation program aimed to disseminate the achievements of the laureates in Japan and to deepen exchange with the Japanese public at large during their stay in Japan. It was a good opportunity for the public to learn more about their achievements, and also to deepen the understanding about the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize itself.
Specifically, the Welcome Ceremony was held by the Cabinet Office, followed by the courtesy calls to their Majesties Emperor and Empress, and a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida. And there were commemorative lectures and symposiums hosted by organizations related to African development as well as a medical university. Moreover, they visited Fukushima Prefecture and Yokohama City, both of which have strong ties with Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, and grand welcoming events were held there.
In honor of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi who traveled to Africa to conduct research on yellow fever and became infected himself with it and died there, the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize was established by Cabinet decision in July 2006 to award individuals and organizations that made outstanding achievements in combating infectious and other diseases prevalent in Africa. Four award ceremonies have been held on the occasion of TICAD, and the Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Award Ceremony was the first that was held overseas (in Africa).
(Source : Website of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan,
Courtesy Call from the Laureates of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize)
-
March 13
Welcome ceremony hosted
by Cabinet Office -
March 14
Lectures and Dialogue organized
by Africa Society of Japan -
March 15
Events hosted
by Yokohama City
-
March 15
Lecture session organized
by Nippon Medical School -
March 16
Symposium co-organized
by JICA, UNDP
and Cabinet Office -
March 17
Events hosted
by Fukushima Prefecture,
Inawashiro Town,
and Aizu-Wakamatsu City