Solution-Driven Co-creative R&D Program for SDGs (SOLVE for SDGs): Preventing Social Isolation & Loneliness and Creating Diversified Social Networks
To achieve SDGs, RISTEX has been promoting creation of immediate solutions to regional issues with complex and wide-ranging themes by utilizing existing technology seeds and to expand the solutions to other regions in the "Solution-Driven Co-creative R&D Program for SDGs (SOLVE for SDGs)" since FY2019.
Since social isolation and loneliness is one of the essential perspectives of the SDGs, RISTEX has established a particular framework (social isolation framework) under the SOLVE for SDGs program, "Preventing Social Isolation & Loneliness and Creating Diversified Social Networks” in FY2021.
Program Supervisor
URA Mitsuhiro
Professor, Otemon Gakuin University / Professor Emeritus, Hiroshima University“Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" ("2030 Agenda" for short) that was adopted by the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets under the basic ideal of "No one will be left behind." Since social isolation and loneliness is one of the essential perspectives of the SDGs, RISTEX has launched the “Solution-Driven Co-creative R&D Program for SDGs (Preventing Social Isolation & Loneliness and Creating Diversified Social Networks” (Social Isolation Framework) in FY2021.
This program promotes R&D including academic research using knowledge from in HSS, such as understanding the causes and mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness and producing a new image of society, as well as the development of visualization and evaluation methods (indicators, etc.) for the risk of social isolation and loneliness, and the development of preventive measures on the issues. These are expected to be conducted in an integrated way up to Proof of Concept (PoC) in collaboration with the actual sites where the measures are implemented such as specific regions, schools, workplaces, or communities, etc. in Japan.
Goals
This program promotes clarification of the mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness based on various changes in the social structure, such as declining population, low birthrate, aging society, economic changes, and the impact of emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, while producing the vision of a society that does not lead to social isolation and loneliness. The program furthermore promotes R&D on visualization and evaluation methods (indicators, etc.) for the risk of social isolation and loneliness in people and groups, as well as social schemes to prevent social isolation and loneliness. The program expects such R&D to be conducted in an integrated way up to Proof of Concept (POC), including the verification of the effectiveness of preventative measures against social isolation and loneliness by using the evaluation methods (indicators, etc.) developed in each project. This program aims for a society that does not lead to social isolation and loneliness by creating diversified social connections and networks among people, organizations, and communities.
Case A: Irrelevant to social isolation and loneliness, but increased the risk of isolation and loneliness after COVID-19
Case B: Gradual increased risk of social isolation and loneliness due to disasters/life events, even worse after COVID-19
Case C: High risk of social isolation and loneliness from an early age due to a given environment or disability
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, The Process of Social Exclusion: An Overview of the Exclusion Process in Case Studies of Youth . Overview ( Documents submitted by the Cabinet Secretariat/Cabinet Office ) (September 28, 2012) Created by RISTEX with reference to special information on the 8th Council of social security How to support people in need
Management Group
Program Supervisor
| URA Mitsuhiro | Professor, Otemon Gakuin University/ Professor Emeritus, Hiroshima University |
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Advisors alphabetically listed
| ARISUE Ken | Professor Emeritus, Keio University |
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| FUJIWARA Yoshinori | Vice-president, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology |
| HIRATA Oriza | President, Professional College of Arts and Tourism |
| INABA Yoji | Former Professor, College of Law, Nihon University |
| ISHII Kota | Writer |
| KISHI Emiko | Dean and Professor, Graduate School of Nursing, Toho University |
| KUDO Kei | Chairperson, Certified Specified Nonprofit Organization Sodateage Net |
| SATO Yoshimichi | Dean and Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Kyoto University of Advanced Science |
| USAGAWA Kuniko | Manager, JOBS Research Center, Recruit Co., Ltd. |
| YUMA Kazuko | Chief Fellow, Research Division, Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies |
Successive Advisors alphabetically listed
| FUJIMORI Katsuhiko (2021.7-2023.3) |
Professor, Faculty of Healthcare Management, Nihon Fukushi University/ Chief Research Associate, Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd. |
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| IWATA Masami (2021.4-2023.3) |
Professor Emeritus, Japan Women's University |
About the Program Supervisor
Professor Ura has been committed to research, education and human resource development for many years as a leading researcher in social psychology, social support and social exclusion studies. He has served as the president of the Japanese Society of Social Psychology and the Japanese Group Dynamics Association, and by stimulating activities in various fields including behavioral science and social neuroscience, he has contributed to academic development and training of future professionals. Meanwhile, he has served as the chairperson of Hiroshima Prefecture's Regional Home Education Promotion Council and Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education's Home Study Program Review Council, while making contributions to the local community through collaborative efforts between academics and local practitioners, such as the engagement in reinforcement of the local crime prevention system by a collaborative project with Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters.
Regarding the management of "Solution-Driven Co-Creative R&D Program for SDGs (SOLVE for SDGs): Preventing Social Isolation & Loneliness and Creating Diversified Social Networks," in addition to having a broad insight into social isolation, it is important to possess a well-balanced standpoint that promotes cooperation/collaboration among various stakeholders including researchers, NPOs, governments, companies and local residents that are knowledgeable about the nature of social isolation and are experienced in the development and application of preventative measures. It is particularly important for the management to include in its mission the support for building the project structure which integrates academic research and on-site practices, before commencing the full-scale R&D. Professor Ura who has expertise which consists of multifaceted perspectives from social psychology, behavioral science and social neuroscience, as well as experiences in cross-disciplinary approaches and the management of projects which aimed to be implemented in society by collaborating with various stakeholders, is anticipated to exert his talent in program management by utilizing his expertise and experiences.
R&D Projects
FY2023
| Strategic Placemaking through Visualization of the Diversity of the Neighborhood Social Environment that Contributes to the Prevention of Isolation and Loneliness UCHIHIRA Takayuki (Professor, School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo) |
2023.10-2027.3 | Development of Network Intervention that Integrates Physical Space and Cyber Space for Preemptively Primary Prevention of Isolation and Loneliness in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer FUJIMORI Maiko (Section Head, Division of Supportive Care, Survivorship and Translational Research, Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center) |
2023.10-2027.3 | A Model for Preventing Social Isolation and Loneliness through Service Mobility and Multiform Community Connections YONEZAWA Takuro (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University) |
2023.10-2027.3 |
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FY2022
FY2021
| Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation Using Crisis Chat and Text Services UEDA Michiko (Visiting Researcher, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN) |
2021.11-2023.3 |
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| Building Community-based "Anywhere Door" -type Hybrid Care Networks KONDO Naoki (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Kyoto University) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
| Clarification of Generation Process of Social Isolation and Developing the Intervention Program for Social Isolation Towards Healthy "Personal Independence" TACHIKAWA Hirokazu (Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
| Analysis of the Process of Loneliness and Isolation in the Workplace: Toward the Development of a Comprehensive Prevention Program MATSUI Yutaka (Investigator, R&D Center for Working Persons' Psychological Support, University of Tsukuba) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
| Prevention of Isolation and Loneliness through Fostering Compassionate Community Using Theatrical Methods MUSHIAKE Hajime (Research Fellow, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
| Loneliness in New Life: Visualization of Risks and Primary Prevention YANAGISAWA Kuniaki (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Humanities, Kobe University) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
| Developing a School-centered System to Prevent Social Isolation, Loneliness and Exclusion of All Children YAMANO Noriko (Professor, Graduate School of Sustainable System Sciences, Osaka Metropolitan University) |
2021.11-2026.3 |
