How it started
In 2008, the G8 Summit will take place in Japan. In order to strengthen our collective voice, Japanese NGOs striving towards a sustainable society and working to address as diverse issues as the environment, peace, human rights, global poverty and development, have come together under the broad banner of "2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum".The causes and effects of such issues are global and, as such, require global solutions. The G8 Summit must produce effective solutions, incorporating the responsibilities that correspond to their influence in global politics and economy. Through our cross-national collaboration towards social equity and civic participation, NGOs have nurtured perspectives independent from those of the government. It is with those perspectives and knowledge that we make policy recommendations.
Organizational structure
The organizer committee members, selected from the member NGOs, manage the NGO Forum by coordinating three issue-based units ("Environment", "Poverty and Development" and "Peace and Human Rights") as well as the project teams.Organizer Committee;
Chair; Masako Hoshino, Japan International Volunteer Center
Vice Chair; Yurika Ayukawa, KIKO Network
Vice Chair; Masaaki Ohashi, Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation
Poverty and Development Unit Leader; Sumie Ishii, JOICFP
Environment Unit Leader, Civil G8 Dialogue; Mika Ohbayashi, Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
Peace and Human Rights Unit Leader; Akira Kawasaki, Peaceboat
Campaign Team Leader; Yuka Iwatsuki, ACE (Action against Child Exploitation)
Auditor
Tatsuya Hata, Shanti Volunteer Association / Kinki University
Yuichi Kaido, Lawyer
Michiya Kumaoka, Visiting Professor of Tokyo University
Adviser
Tadashi Yamamoto, President of Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)
Activities - NGO Forum activities
□ Advocacy activities involve analyzing problems and lobbying decision-makers to adopt policy alternatives that are formulated through collaborative discussions with international civil society. Specific activities include the production of "Position Papers" (outlining our policy recommendations); lobby meetings with relevant governmental agencies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, etc.) and the Members of the Diet; issuing of public evaluation of the outcomes of respective G8 ministers' meetings; and organizing of various public events aimed to disseminate information. In addition, "Civil G8 Dialogue" (international conference of international civil society representatives and a dialogue with the sherpas) will be organized.□ Our campaign activities aim to mobilize public understanding on the issues and support for the changes we call for. The "Tanzaku Action - One Million Wishes" will provide interested and active citizens with the tool with which to express their support.
□ The alternative summit will take place around the time of the official G8 Summit. Co-hosted by "Hokkaido Peoples' Forum on G8 Summit", this summit functions as "another summit by citizens" and will include various workshops and symposiums in which many citizens and NGOs can participate.
Activities - Issue-based activities
□ The Environment Unit consists of NGOs that deal with various environmental issues, mainly focusing on climate change, biodiversity and 3R initiatives. Many organizations work collaboratively for advocacy to push the G8 Leaders to take more active steps to work on these problems.□ The Poverty and Development Unit is made up of NGOs that implement and advocate in the various fields of poverty reduction and development. This unit advocates on the issues of ODA, global health, basic education and child labor, trade and investment, innovative financing mechanisms, gender, and climate change and poverty.
□ The Peace and Human Rights Unit calls for a world order based on the principles of non-violence and human rights. The unit works on issues such as nuclear weapons abolition, disarmament and arms control, global economics, conflict prevention, peace building, "counter-terrorism" measures, gender, indigenous peoples' rights, immigration, regional security issues and promotion of civic activities.
□ For more details, please refer to the pamphlet below.
(For updated list of Member organizations, please go to "Member Organization" page.)
Pamphlet
Here is the activity report on NGO Forum from 31 January 2007 - 18 September 2007. Please click below to view the report.
1st Term Activity Report
Please refer the documents below for the second period of NGO Forum. (Oct.2007-Sept.2008)
1. 2008 G8 Summit NGO Forum Prospects
2. Rules of the operation
3. Organization Chart
Our Donors
2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum is supported by the following organizations.Action Aid International Asia
Arigatou Foundation
Ayus: a Network of Buddhist Volunteers on International Cooperation
Hottokenai Sekai no Mazushisa (Don't let it be-World Poverty)
Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)
KODOSAN BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP
Nichiren-shu International Cooperation Fund
NIWANO PEACE FOUNDATION
Rissho Kosei-kai Donate-a-Meal Fund for Peace
Shinnyo-en
Also, we have many supporters. Thank you for your donation.
Secretariat contact
2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum SecretariatJapan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC)
5th Floor Avaco Building, 2-3-18, Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051 Japan
Tel 91-3-5292-2911 Fax:81-3-5292-2912
E-mail:forum○janic.org (Please change ○ to @ when you send e-mail.)
http://www.janic.org/
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