The International Society of Volunteer Studies in Japan (ISVS) was established in 1999 as a place for researchers and practitioners involved in volunteering to exchange ideas. Against the background of the spread of public understanding of volunteering after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, it aims to link interdisciplinary research with practice in the field.
Its main members are researchers at universities and research institutions, practitioners belonging to NGOs, NPOs and social welfare corporations, students and organizations. Its activities include an annual conference, publication of the journal "Volunteer Studies Research," selection of the Sumiya Mikio Prize and the Murai Yoshinori Prize, and symposia. Applications for the 2026 prizes are accepted from October 5 to December 20, 2026.
For younger generations, it also holds "Next-Generation Moai Salon +," an online event where students and early-career practitioners interested in international volunteering can talk casually. The next conference, the 28th, is planned for March 6 and 7, 2027 at Fukuyama City University under the theme "Host Communities Taking On the Challenge of Multicultural Coexistence."
Key points
- A society where researchers, practitioners and students exchange ideas across roles and connect field practice with research
- Besides its journal and annual conference, it offers the Murai Yoshinori Prize, which recognizes practical activities
- Open to students, including high school students, with online exchange events such as the Next-Generation Moai Salon +
Why this organization's work stands out
A distinctive feature is its effort to view volunteering from many fields, including psychology, education, medicine and cultural anthropology, and to link practice in the field with theory. It can serve as a useful place for people working in international cooperation to reflect on their activities and learn from others in different fields.
Its public symposium is open to non-members, and conference fees are waived for junior high, high school, university and graduate students. Having entry points open to people who are not familiar with research is also encouraging for readers from citizens' organizations.
Editor's comment
I felt reassured to learn that there is a place where researchers and people in the field keep asking together what volunteering really means.
Information on the conference and how to join is on the official website. If you are interested, please take a look.