May 2010

Buddhist NGO Network of Japan's 18th Seminar Focuses on World Poverty

The Buddhist NGO Network of Japan (BNN) held its 18th seminar on May 24 in Tokyo in the Meisho Kaikan (auditorium) of Zojo-ji temple, the chief temple of the Jodo Sect of Japanese Buddhism. The purpose of the seminar was to study closely the problem of poverty in developing countries and offer proposals to Buddhist organizations and temples for helping to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Thirteen people from BNN member organizations, including Rissho Kosei-kai and the Niwano Peace Foundation, took part in the seminar.

At a workshop during the seminar, Mr. Masashi Yamaguchi, secretary-general of the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation, made a speech in which he introduced the eight MDGs, including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and achieving universal primary education. He encouraged the participants to keep up their efforts in helping to achieve the MDGs.

After that workshop, Mr. Yoshinori Shinohara, secretary-general of the Youth Committee of the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, explained the Arms Down! Campaign for Shared Security, a global interfaith youth campaign for disarmament launched by the Global Youth Network of Religions for Peace.

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