22 June 2018 Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) Karez Health and Educational Services (KHES) Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) We are Japanese NGO engaged in the support of Afghanistan together with the people of Afghanistan. Welcoming the first ceasefire between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, and as people were able to feel the hope for peace that the ceasefire brought about, we will continue seeking peace in Afghanistan and we request for the following: About extension of ceasefire We welcome the ceasefire which was realized for the first time between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban.…
A conference for annual plans and the “Marshmallow Challenge” are now completed!
[Original by Mariko OMURA, Cambodia Project (March 6, 2018); Translated by Y. Hirono] Each JVC local office had been reflecting on their 2017 activities and operations, and having conferences for annual plans for 2018 during this spring (the blog about the conference for annual plans in South Africa can also be read here.) In Cambodia, all the staff members also gathered together and held the conference during the period of 12-16 February and 26-28 February. We rented accommodation for the second round of the conference and lodged together for two nights. JVC in Cambodia has conducted food-processing trainings for farmers and afforestation at some schools. We discussed how these operations…
PEACE WORKSHOP HELD BY CITIZENS IN AFGHANISTAN: EXPERIENCE-EXCHANGE WITH RESIDENTS OF CONFLICT AREAS
[Original by Ryo ONOYAMA, Afghanistan Project (April 19, 2018); Translated by E. Nagatomi] In Afghanistan, we have conducted Peace Actions in which residents in JVC project areas learn from each other about methods of solving disputes among family and/or in the region, as a countermeasure against the current situation of violence and guns being common in their daily lives. On 14th March, an Experience Exchange workshop was held by inviting residents from 5 regions (non JVC project areas) of heavy combat situations, as a new approach to extending our activities. About 50 people participated in this workshop. In these regions, three parties, which are the governmental and American forces, the…
Messages from 4 Palestinians Out of 5.9 million
– Discovering the reality of the Palestinians, who make up the largest refugee group in the world, from their real voices – Photo Exhibition of Palestine (May 19 – June 6, 2018) Workshop and talk event (May 26): The Palestinian embroidery inherited by Palestinian refugees Palestinian refugees have not been able to go back to their own home for 70 years since the foundation of Israel in 1948. The number of refugees at first was around 0.7 million, but it has increased to approximately 5.9 million people through generations. Nowadays, Palestinian refugees make up the largest group of refugees in the world. Peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine have become…
Film Screening of “Zan”
About the film In Henoko, Okinawa, there lives the Dugong, an endangered species. Zan is a documentary that documents these creatures and the people yearning to protect them from the construction of a new U.S. military base. Through this film, we meet nature conservation groups, researchers, citizens who participate in protests, and local residents; we experience the sheer beauty of the natural environment in Henoko; we are made to consider the vital importance of living in peace with the sea that houses the Dugong. Title: Zan Director: Richard Grehan Released: 2017 Country: Japan Duration: 73 min Language: Japanese with English subtitles DATE AND TIME Thursday May 31 2018, 7pm-9pm PLACE…
International Festival CHIBA
At the Kanda University of International Studies in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, there will be an “International Festival CHIBA” event featuring organizations that engage in international exchange and international cooperation and JVC will also be having an exhibit there! At the festival, the participating organizations will be introducing their activities and selling goods including fair trade products. Since the festival is co-held with an event called “Makuchari ✕ Sorabito” featuring students at the Kanda University of International Studies, you can get to enjoy that event’s charity market too. JVC is planning to talk about our on-site activities around the world and to have various global items on sale. The craft goods…
THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE CHARITY BAZAAR @ CAMBODIA
[Original by Mariko OMURA, Cambodia Project (March 15, 2018); Translated by M. Tang/J. Hills] Good afternoon! This is Mariko Omura from Cambodia. On March 11th 2018, a charity bazaar in aid of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This bazaar was organized by the famous Cambodia pepper maker, KURATA PEPPER, and sponsored by many well-known stores in Phnom Penh. This time, we took the chance to donate the proceeds of this charity bazaar to JVC’s Kesennuma and Minamisoma Projects. On that day, I was in charge of a large panel exhibition booth, which was prepared by KURATA PEPPER. The bazaar started at…
Promoting Peace Building through ‘Peace Yard’ Activities
[Original by Ghamra Rifai, Volunteer of the Iraq Project Team and Emi Nakano, Assistant of the Iraq Project Team (6 March 2018); Translated by M. Kanai/R. Florea] Here is the report on the activities of ‘Peace Yard’implemented jointly by INSAN (Iraqi Society for Relief and Development) and JVC from August to October 2017. 1. Selection of participants In five districts including Rapareen in Kirkuk City, we approached the parents of children who were not attending school and called for participation in our Social Art Workshop. We had a meeting with the parents, explained our activities, and tried to obtain detailed information about the participating children. In cooperation with the INSAN…
The Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake Comes Again
[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, President (12 March 2018); Translated by J. Hills] Thank you ever so much for your continued support for the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC). Seven years have now passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami shocked the world in March 2011. I express my deepest condolences to those that have lost loved ones as a result of this heart-breaking disaster. And now, with the process of reconstruction still ongoing, I express my immense admiration for those that continue to devote themselves to the enormous task of rebuilding the lives that had been all but destroyed. With the deepest wish that the victims will once…
Film screening “Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives”
About the film The serious health problems caused by genetically modified (GM) foods are now occurring in the US population. In this film, facts are clarified by the testimonies and scientific evidence from medical scientists, researchers involved in government’s food safety supervision, parents of children suffering from autism and allergies, veterinarians dealing with livestock health disorders and so on. Produced and directed by Jeffrey M. Smith, the internationally renowned expert on GM issues, this film questions the concerned genetically modified organisms (GMO) safety issue, initiates discussions, and contributes greatly to the non-GMO movement in the US. As a major GMO importer from the US, Japan is closely connected to this…