The WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) was established in 1995 with strong financial and material support and collaboration from the Kobe Group through a decision of the World Health Organization Executive Board. The Kobe Group includes Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Kobe Steel. Given that it functions as a department of WHO Headquarters but was also established as a result of strong local support, the WKC has both a global and a local mandate. The focus of WKC local engagement is three-fold.

What is our focus?

• To share lessons learned across countries and encourage global collaboration as countries strive to attain their commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Lessons learned from the Kansai community are integrated into our research efforts. As a result, we have established collaborative research programmes with Kansai-based research institutions as an integral part of our research programme. We also hold international meetings and support the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Research Network.

• To communicate and disseminate information about WKC’s research activities in the local community.

To strengthen communication and dissemination of WKC research findings and results, the WKC organizes at least three WKC fora every year in close cooperation with the Kobe Group. We use Twitter and YouTube to disseminate information about WKC research to the community, and have translated the website into the Japanese language. We also work with local media to inform the community about what we do.

• To contribute to the community in Kobe and Hyogo prefecture for health awareness-raising and health advocacy.

As part of our contributions to Kobe and Hyogo prefecture in the health field, the WKC staff participate in many technical committees ranging from emergencies to infectious and non-communicable diseases. We also translated WHO disease outbreak reports (DONs) for dissemination; in 2020, we focused on translation of WHO COVID-19 technical guidances and COVID-19 public information. Please see our COVID webpage here. We also conduct lectures about WHO and WKC work in primary and secondary schools in the Kansai region, and universities. Contact us to request a presentation!

Why is this important?

The WKC staff strive to be a part of and contribute to a thriving healthy local community. 

Read more about our latest activities.