The 13th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration
Control of Structures (13WCSI) commemorating JSSI 20th Anniversary , will be held in
Sendai, Japan, during September 24-27, 2013. This conference is aimed at gathering
researchers, engineers and other specialists from around the world, to share the results of
cutting-edge research and development concerning anti-seismic technologies in a free and
open atmosphere. For the conference, we are planning lively presentations and discussions,
a pleasant reception, a visit to seismically isolated buildings and a one-day excursion to the
tsunami affected area by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.
For more information, please visit the official website:
* http://13wcsi-jssi20.com/
Deadline for abstract submission is
* March 31, 2013
We are looking forward to seeing you in Sendai soon.

Taiki SAITO
Chair of the Steering Committee, 13WCSI
Professor, TUT (Toyohashi University of Technology)
Visiting research staff, IISEE

Haiti’s Reconstruction process continues to move forward slowly, without proper planning.
The government is not the main leader:
1) Reconstruction Fund for Haiti (FRH) gives money to the World Bank that transfers it
to another local institution called Office for Program of Development Aid (BMPAD：Bureau
de Monetisation aux Programmes d'Aide au Developpement) whose main responsibility is to
finance local actions. Some NGOs receive the money from the BMPAD and work as
operators: they identify generally actions to lead and ensure the execution by private companies.
Sometimes the Government only supervises them and gives them a certification at the end of the
works.
2) Some people still lives in tents mainly in the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince.
3) We can observe many school constructions across Port-au-Prince.
4) The Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) starts checking
and delivering permit to build important buildings. It’s my new responsibility at MTPTC.
5) Thanks to the training program for masons’, leads by MTPTC, people are starting to
improve the way to build.

Mr. Fritz Auplan (2011-2012 E-course),
Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC), Haiti