Sustainable science and technology, appropriate technology for creating a better society

“How can we get clean water in a place without running water or electricity?” “How can we charge our cell phones in a place without electricity?” “How can students study in a school without desks or textbooks?” These are real-life problems that low-income countries face.
There are many solutions, but only sustainable solutions that address the problem at low cost and take local circumstances into account can provide real help to people in low-income countries.
This is the appropriate technology approach.


"Appropriate Technology Concert for Teenagers" systematically compiles key topics utilized as appropriate technology in low-income countries, including energy, water, 3D printing, ICT (information and communication technology), health, and education.
The authors are nine scientists and engineers who are actively engaged in appropriate technology activities in low-income countries. They came together to write this book with the hope of introducing appropriate technology to teenagers.
Reading the authors' honest stories, based on their field experience and know-how, will give you a vivid understanding of the various aspects of appropriate technology.
This book is helpful for young people who want to learn more about appropriate technology, those preparing for extracurricular activities such as science classes, free semester programs, STEAM (fusion programs), short essays, and competitions, and those interested in international organizations such as NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and social enterprises.

I set out on a journey with the simple intention of doing good deeds, and that's where I encountered appropriate technology.
Appropriate Technology 1.0, which we encountered along the way, was a noble science and technology that was given without compensation, and it was good science and technology.
However, the appropriate technology 1.0 provided 'for free' had the limitation of being unsustainable.
Accordingly, Appropriate Technology 1.0 has evolved into Appropriate Technology 2.0, which has a business model and is provided for a fee while continuing to do good deeds.
But the problems arising from poverty are not the only challenges facing us.
To create a better society, we must strive to overcome the problems we face in all areas, from politics and economics to society, culture and education.
The science and technology being utilized at this time is appropriate technology 3.0, and we are living in the era of appropriate technology 3.0.

--- From "01 Appropriate Technology 4.0"

With an estimated 2 billion people worldwide lacking access to electricity, simple calculations show that creating 2 million power grids, each capable of powering 1,000 people, would solve the electricity problem.

--- From "02 For Sustainable Energy Self-Reliance"

Appropriate technology is no longer limited to addressing problems thousands of kilometers away in Africa.
It will be used as a technology to solve problems for myself, my family, and my community.
It will also help overcome the health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus and address environmental pollution and climate change issues.

--- From "04 Overcoming the COVID-19 Attack with Appropriate Technology"

KitKit School attracted attention for being developed primarily for students in underprivileged areas and students with disabilities who had never studied in a proper educational environment, and for focusing on developing students' ability to study independently rather than simply learning more knowledge.
It is thoroughly learner-centered and developed through meticulous field research and user observation to best suit users.
And it can be said to be a truly appropriate technology product that ensures that children with disabilities such as color blindness and hearing loss are not excluded from learning.

--- From "06 Technology to Solve Global Education Problems"

Is there any way to prevent hypothermia, a major cause of neonatal mortality in low-income countries? All you need to do is secure enough incubators in each hospital.
But there is another problem.
In general, the price of an incubator at a hospital is very expensive, ranging from 3 million to 20 million won.
Even if incubators exist, they cannot be used in most parts of Africa due to lack of access to electricity.
There are no professional medical staff to manage the incubator, and the cost of medical services is high, making it difficult to afford.
To address these challenges, new incubators are being developed around the world using appropriate technologies.

--- From "08 Appropriate Technology for Creating a Healthy World"

The Appropriate Technology Idea Sketch Contest, which began in 2016, has evolved over the years and serves to promote the value of appropriate technology.
The 2021 competition featured 66 teams from eight countries around the world, with over 20 expert mentors.
What other opportunity would you have to interact with young people from around the world and receive guidance from expert mentors? I encourage you to participate in the competition and gain valuable experience.
I believe that through this, you will discover your life purpose.

--- From the "09 Appropriate Technology Idea Sketch Contest"