ayus is an international cooperation NGO founded in 1993 by Buddhist priests who came together across sectarian lines. Based on Buddhist principles, it tackles issues of peace and human rights, such as poverty, injustice and environmental destruction, starting from where people live.
What it values most is standing alongside people who face particular hardship in society. Its operating principles include working with local NGOs that respect people placed in difficulty by social structures, and sharing what it learns through a network of Buddhists and citizens.
Its work centers on NGO support, such as strengthening NGO organizations, support for peace and human rights, and emergency aid, together with education and exchange activities including seminars and symposia, information outreach at temples, and the development and distribution of educational materials. By making use of temples as community gathering places, ayus aims to link overseas realities with local communities in Japan.
Key points
- An international cooperation NGO founded by Buddhist priests across sects
- Runs support programs for NGOs working abroad, along with support for peace and human rights
- Brings information and lessons from the field to local communities through temples
Why this organization's work stands out
Rather than only running projects in the field itself, ayus broadens international cooperation by supporting partner NGOs. It also puts effort into passing on information from partners to society through members and temples.
When a familiar place like a temple becomes a doorway to international cooperation, more local people get a chance to encounter global issues. The fact that annual reports and financial information are published is also a helpful reference for anyone thinking about how to get involved.
Editor's comment
The pairing of temples and international cooperation made me feel that places connected to the world may be closer to home than we think.
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