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The Institute of Cultural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization concerned with the human factor in world development. At the heart of ICA's work is the belief that long-term, sustainable development happens only when people grasp the significance of their own lives in the larger scheme of things -- when they actively participate in the changes taking place around them instead of merely being targets of that change. Based on its unique Technology of Participation (ToP) methods, the ICA seeks to integrate the methods of human consciousness and organizational transformation to maximize the participation of grassroots people in taking responsibility for their own lives and for their community as a whole. Through town meetings and leadership training programs the ICA helps communities to achieve consensual decision making, team building and long-range planning, making it possible for local residents to implement projects that they have created themselves, rather than the ICA itself becoming the driving force.

Working in partnership with local ICA staff in developing countries, ICA Japan's international effort is focused on the implementation of comprehensive human development projects that emphasize basic human needs and protecting the natural environment. ICA Japan's recent international partnership projects have included the building of basic infrastructure such as schools, health care centers, and water and sanitation systems, the fostering of economic self-sufficiency through small-scale business development and job training for women and youth, appropriate technology transfer through the dispatch of technical advisors and international study tours, and natural resource conservation through reforestation and sustainable agriculture education. In Japan, our main activities focus on development education and the promotion of environmental awareness through slide shows, international conferences, photo exhibitions, videos and publications, and our homepage.

Nationally chartered and registered ICAs in 30 nations around the world are linked through ICA International (ICA:I), the ICA's international secretariat, based in Brussels, Belgium. ICA:I is registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as an NGO with UN advisory status. ICA:I is involved with supplying information to ICA's and individual members, sponsoring international conferences, publishing books and articles and training volunteers. ICA Japan began in Kobe in 1970 and was formalized as a membership organization in 1982.

Besides support for our international projects, our main activities in Japan focus on development education and the promotion of environmental awareness through slide shows, international conferences, photo exhibitions, videos and publications, and our homepage.

In addition to individual donations and membership fees, funding for ICA activities comes from the following Japanese governmental ministries and private organizations:

• Japan International Cooperation Agency
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
• Association for International Cooperation of Agriculture & Forestry
• Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
• Postal Savings for International Voluntary Aid of Japan Post
• National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization
• The World Bank
• Tokyo Union Church
• Japan Washi Arts Association
• Fuji XEROX Co., Ltd. (Hasu Club)
• Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan (ERCA)
• Gifu Zonta Club

Overseas ICAs also receive funding grants from North American and European organizations.

We're glad you asked. There are many ways. Contact us to let us know your interest in any of these.

Volunteer - Many people from all countries and walks of life have graciously donated their time to ICA Japan, helping with forming and nurturing partnership projects, translating, assisting members, helping with newsletters, selling handicrafts from overseas, and receiving training courses. Would one of these activities suit you? Perhaps you have some other ideas?

Join in Events - Our Annual Meeting features reports, slideshows, training, and celebration. You are welcome to participate and help us shape our future. The annual International Cooperation Festival at Hibiya Park in Tokyo is a two-day gathering of NGOs, UN organizations, governmental ministries, and other groups concerned with global development issues. We could use your assistance in designing our booth in the weeks before, and spreading information at this autumn event. We hold parties to send out our staff to project sites and/or welcome them back. These casual get-togethers are a great way to learn more about ICA and you're always invited. Periodically, we also hold events featuring visiting overseas ICA staff. We'd love to see you there.

Study Tours - We hold study tours to our partnership sites, complemented by cultural activities. These tours are a chance to go beyond your usual travel experiences and see a country from the inside, while helping out with ongoing work. These tours are open to individuals and groups alike. One such previous tour brought NTT Union members to Vietnam where we planted 2,000 trees, held a Japanese Sports Day, and interacted with countless local people. Even with little language ability, the efforts of ICA project staff and local organizers make these an experieince to be remembered for life. Oh, and one more thing - they're very inexpensive!

Global Conference 2008 - ICA has been invited to sponsor a huge international conference for which we'll require a lot of help. The 2004 Guatemala conference Weaving a New Society, was co-sponsored by CIVICUS, UNDP Guatemala, OXFAM Great Britain, and Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional. It was an opportunity to hear and interact with some of the world's best development practitioners. Participants from 35 countries took part in creating a worldwide agenda that is affecting public policy in developing and advanced industrialized nations, and sending ripples of positive change through society. August 2008 is our turn. There will site visits to see leading edge activities, as well as the unique participatory conference that ICA is famous for. Come and let's make it happen together.

Donate and Become a Member - Your schedule and abilities may limit your participation but you can always donate and support our ongoing work. With ICA, your money takes a very short path to the partnerships it will nurture. Learn more about donations to ICA.

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Contact to ICA

ICA Japan, Soshigaya 4-1-22 2F, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0072, JAPAN

phone (81-3) 3484-5092, fax (81-3) 3484-1909