Links Japan
Links
Japan was established six years ago with the
primary objective of promoting non-profit sector links between the United Kingdom
and Japan. Communication between voluntary organisations in this country, and
non-profit organisations in Japan is limited although both governments, in their
Action Agenda 21, recognise the benefits to be gained, bilaterally, and in the
wider Asia Europe context, from improvements in this area beyond the valuable
exchanges which exist between Britain and Japan in the governmental, official,
academic and cultural arenas.
Links Japan aims to encourage understanding of, and communication on, how ordinary people respond to the needs of their societies in the new millennium, and how they can best contribute to their communities in areas which are beyond the reach, or outside the interest, of the government, the corporate sector, or the family. The challenge for Japan is particularly immediate as it has the world’s lowest birthrate and the highest rate of ageing and is experiencing social upheaval, brought about by economic uncertainty. Important steps have been taken in Japan over the last few years which have had positive significance for the development of non-governmental activity, such as the establishment of the NPO law, which for the first time makes it possible for a non-profit organisation to have legal status without the control of central government. Britain has much to offer, and a great deal to learn, as Japan builds up a structure for civil society. Aid-giving and the role of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the delivery of aid is another, related, field where current bilateral exchange and partnership bears no relationship to the reality of Japan’s position as the world’s biggest aid donor and the UK’s being the home of many of the world’s most important aid agencies. Here, too, the potential benefits of links is both mutual and great. Links Japan, against this background, works to:
| - | promote and support communication and exchange between those on both sides involved with the structure and direction of the voluntary sectors |
| - | plan and arrange individual or group visits from the Japanese non-profit sector to the UK for the purpose of studying the voluntary sector |
| - | organise work placements, or volunteering opportunities, in British voluntary organisations for those working, or seeking a career, in the non-profit sector in Japan |
| - | help identify suitable counterpart NPOs or NGOs, support their exchanges and encourage their linking, where it is of mutual benefit |
| - | assist, on request, with the provision of information, contacts, interpretation etc. with independently organised exchanges between voluntary organisations |
| - | encourage governments, academics and funders to give more emphasis and greater support to links in this field |
Please contact Phillida Purvis at Links Japan for any further information or explanation.
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Address:
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19 Norland Square, London W11 4PU, UK |
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Tel:
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+44 (0)20 7221 6985 |
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Fax:
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+44 (0)20 7792 1757 |
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Email:
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phillida@linksjapan.org |