Topics (English)

Established Information Center in the UK

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:38:33 +0900

JACO recently opened an information center in the UK, SCVO office, and started the service on April 16th, 2013. We aim to introduce charitable sector in Japan to the European citizens by providing several resources that we are publishing. Details of JACO information Center in the UK is as follows; Address: Mansfield Traquair Center 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB 　　　　c/o Scottish Council for Voluntary Organizations TEL：01-31-474-6158 Person in charge：Mr. Ruchir Shah (SCVO Policy Manager)

Mr. Tatsuo Ohta introduced an article “A current situation of CSO database system in Japan”

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:23:11 +0900

Tatsuo Ohta, President and CEO of JACO introduced an article entitled “A current situation of CSO database system in Japan” in the first edition of quarterly magazine “Korean NPO” published by GuideStar Korea in January 2013. The article is downloadable from the following links. -Magazine Cover- . -Article written in korean- The article written in English is also available; -Article written in English-

DATA BOOK 2012 "charitable and non-profit organizations in Japan" is now free to download

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:35:45 +0900

DATA BOOK 2012 "charitable and non-profit organizations in Japan" is now free to download from URL as indicated below; Download: PDF File

First Regional Meeting of Asia Development Alliance (ADA) was held in Bangkok

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:44:52 +0900

　　The First Regional Meeting of the Asia Development Alliance (ADA) was held under the theme, “Promote Asian Solidarity for the World We Want: Asian Civil Society Organization (CSO) Strategies on Global Development Challenges” from Jan.31st to Feb. 2nd and Mr. Shiraishi attended this meeting as a speaker. 　　The meeting was aiming to promote international cooperation and solidarity among national and sub-national CSOs to build a global vision and strategy on processes as the post-2015 development agenda, Post-Busan process on aid effectiveness and related sustainable development processes. 　　The agenda was focusing on: sharing of experiences among CSOs on their activities and advocacy work; analysis and reflection on international and regional trends and challenges, with a focus on international processes and meetings; and strategizing and developing and joint action plans.Two parallel sessions were held on: Enabling Environment for CSO Development Effectiveness; and Financing for Development - Beyond the Monterrey Consensus.

JACO published a survey report "Services and tools that national associations provide and its achievement"

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:01:55 +0900

JACO hosted a side meeting entitled “Roles and Responsibilities of National Associations” during the CIVICUS World Assembly on 7 September 2012. This side event aimed at defining the roles and responsibilities of national associations and at analysing the ways in which umbrella organisations try to protect and expand civil space, support civil society organizations, their activities, and protect the legal environment CSOs operate in. Participants created an evaluation methodology to help national associations assess their internal capacity and their position in comparison to others. 23 umbrella organizations responded to the survey. The results of this survey are consolidated in a report produced by JACO in January 2013 and available here<PDF>.

Symposium on the 40th anniversary of JACO “Last four decades of PIC and future prospects” was held in November 31

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:13:24 +0900

　　JACO celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment on October 17, 2012, and held symposium “Last four decades of PIC and future prospects” in November 31, 2012. More than 400 CSO leaders, representatives from profit sectors and government agencies attended. We had two keynote lectures by Morio Ikeda, a chair of PIC Commission, Ikuyo Kaneko, a professor of Keio University, and five speakers discussed about history of PIC and future prospects at the panel session. 　　JACO received congratulatory messages from the following organizations and introduced them during the symposium. We thank all our partners for the message for our 40th anniversary. 1. The Association of NGOs in Norway (Norway) 2. The Association of NGOs of Aotearoa (New Zealand) 3. Caucus of Development NGO Networks (The Philippines) 4. China Association for NGO Cooperation (China) 5. Imagine Canada(Canada) 6. Independent Sector (The United States of America) 7. National Council for Voluntary Organizations (The United Kingdom) 8. NGO Federation of Nepal (Nepal) 9. Nigeria Network of NGOs (Nigeria) 10. Third Sector Foundation of Turkey (Turkey) 11. U.S.-Japan Council (The United States of America) 12. Voluntary Action Network India (India)

2012 Independent Sector Annual Conference was held in San Francisco

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:10:09 +0900

　　2012 Independent Sector Annual Conference was held in San Francisco on November 11 and 12, and 600 CSO leaders, representatives from profit sectors and government were attended. From JACO, Mr. Tatsuo Ohta, President and CEO, and Mr. Yoshiharu Shiraishi, Research Associate, were attended and shared knowledge and experience with other attendees at the Connection sessions, Breakout sessions, CEO tracks and Plenary sessions.

CIVICUS official side meeting for national associations hosted by JACO was held in Montreal

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:42:04 +0900

JACO hosted CIVICUS official side meeting “Roles and Responsibilities of National Associations” during the CIVICUS World Assembly on September 7th, 2012 and created evaluation form for national associations based on provision of services with participants. 　　A mission of this event was to create learning environment among national associations by sharing the evaluation form which each participant have evaluated. It is expected that every participants will be able to evaluate by themselves and recognize what level they are comparing with others. From here onward, each of participants can learn each other by knowing their evaluation results. 　　A report from this meeting and survey is downloadable <PDF>.

JACO attended AGNA Annual General Meeting and CIVICUS World Assembly held in Montreal, Canada

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:36:49 +0900

　　The AGNA General Annual Meeting was held on September 4th and the CIVICUS World Assembly 2012 titled “Defining a new social contract – making the future together” was held for three days starting from September 6th in Montreal, Canada. It was vast, combining plenaries with interactive working sessions. About 1,000 representatives from CSO sector, government, international institutions across the world, including Mr. Shiraishi, Research associate of JACO, attended CIVICUS WA. 　　He also visited JACO’s partners including Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, Urban Institute, Board Source, International Center for Nonprofit Law in Washington DC and had information exchange as well.

East Asia Civil Society Forum was held in Beijing, China

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:08:04 +0900

　　From August 22 to 23, 3rd East Asia Civil Society Forum hosted by CANGO (China Association for NGO Cooperation) was held in Beijing, China and more than 100 representatives from China, Korea and Japan were participated. Fist day of the meeting, three speakers introduced a current situation of civil society in three countries. In the afternoon session of workshop, participants shared knowledge, experiences and skills for managing CSOs and a role of CSOs during the relief period. On August 22nd, Participants visited two local organizations and listened to their presentations on their activities.

Peer Learning Exchange was held in London, UK

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:22:09 +0900

A peer learning event hosted by NCVO was held in London on July 2nd and 3rd, 2012 and 21 representatives from all over the world participated in this meeting. Participants including Mr. Shiraishi from JACO reported improvements in their skills for managing national associations and initiating advocacy campaigns, and shared knowledge and analysis of LTA. Themes of the event were as follows; 1. Legal Environment and Government Relations 2. Advocacy Strategies 3. CIVICUS Consultation with Civil Society in London

Peer Learning Event “Advancing Accountability and self-regulation of the civil society sector” was held from 27 to 29 March 2012.

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:16:54 +0900

March 28 and 29, 2012: A group of charitable and non-profit delegates from across the globe gathered in Lagos, Nigeria to discuss about Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability (LTA), self-regulation and governance of civil society organizations (CSOs)．The consultations and peer learning event was facilitated by the Nigerian Network of NGOs based in Lagos, Nigeria. Mr. Shiraishi, a research associate of JACO, made two presentations, 30 minutes each, titled “Creating a self regulatory environment to promote legitimacy, transparency and accountability” and “Experience of self regulation and accountability of the civil society sector in Japan”.

A workshop “Strengthening the Accountability of the Civil Society Sector” was held in mid December

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:45:24 +0900

A workshop “Strengthening the Accountability of the Civil Society Sector” hosted by The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation was held in mid December in Quezon City, the Philippines. 36 representatives from national umbrella organizations, other CSO sectors across the world and government agencies participated and discussed about accountability and governance issues within the civil society sector. Fore more information, please see the CODE-NGO website; http://code-ngo.org/home/component/content/article/43-front/266-strengthening-the-accountability-of-the-civil-society-sector.html

Workshop “A recent situation of CSOs in the US and Japan and its issues” was held on December 1, 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:02:02 +0900

Workshop organized by JACO, took place at Japan Foundation in Tokyo on December 1, 2011 and shared information with participants from the US and Japan about the recent situation of CSOs in the US and Japan. Ms Diana Aviv from Independent Sector from the US and 10 representatives from CSO sector in Japan have participated in this workshop. The agenda is indicated below; 10:00 Opening remarks and facilitation JACO president and CEO – Tatsuo Ohta 10:05 Keynote Lecture 1: “A recent situation of CSOs in the US and its issues” Independent Sector President & CEO– Diana Aviv 10:20 Keynote Lecture 2: “The CSO legal & taxation environment in Japan” JACO Senior Director – Katsuji Suzuki 10:35 Keynote Lecture 3: “Public service delivery and the issues CSOs face” The Japan Association of Chief Executive of Voluntary Organizations Executive board member- Kimiko Fujioka 10:50 Keynote Lecture 4: “A recent situation of giving in Japan” Japan Fundraising Association Managing Director – Masataka Uo 11:05 A question and answer session 11:50 Wrap up JACO president and CEO – Tatsuo Ohta

Symposium “Natural disaster and the role of CSOs - from experience of East Japan Earthquake” was held on November 30, 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:01 +0900

JACO organized a symposium titled “Natural disaster and the role of CSOs - from experience of East Japan Earthquake” on November 30th, 2011 at Toshi-Center Hotel, Tokyo. More than 200 people from CSO sectors, profit sectors and government participated. We had welcome remarks from Minister of State for Special Missions, Ms Renho Murata, keynote lecture titled “Expectations for the Japanese CSOs – Toward the Recovery and building of disaster site” from President and CEO of Independent Sector, Ms Diana Aviv and keynote lecture titled “The East Japan Great Earthquake and Corporation Social Responsibility” from president of Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., Mr. Kigawa Makoto. After the keynote lectures, we had several reports from representatives from the area stricken by the earthquake and tsunami and panel discussion titled “Natural disaster and the role of CSOs and issues”. The agenda is indicated below; 13:00 Opening Remarks JACO president and CEO – Tatsuo Ohta 13:10 Remarks by honored guest Minister of State for Special Missions – Renho Murata 13:20 Keynote Lecture 1: “Expectations for the Japanese CSOs – Toward the Recovery and building of disaster site” Independent Sector President & CEO– Diana Aviv 14:10 Keynote Lecture 2: “The East Japan Great Earthquake and Corporation Social Responsibility” Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. President- Kigawa Makoto 14:40 Break 14:55 Session 1: Disaster site situation report by key commentators “The current situation of disaster sites and request for CSOs” 15:55 Session 2: Panel session “Natural disaster and the role of CSOs and issues” 17:25 Closing Remarks Director of JACO (Kanagawa University Emeritus professor) - Norio Matsuoka