Japan Asia Cultural Exchanges (JACE NGOs) is headquartered in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, under the motto "Aiming for peace in Japan, Asia and the world." It obtained Special Consultative Status from the UN Economic and Social Council in 2013 and says it attends meetings tied to the UN Commission on the Status of Women every year.
One pillar of its work is the healthy development of children. In Cambodia it has opened a school that teaches Japanese, English and IT, with a focus on nurturing future leaders. It also supports responses to infectious diseases, including AIDS, in cooperation with local NGOs.
On the cultural side, Japanese university students take part in the "JACE Academy" in Cambodia, building mutual understanding through language. For its members, it offers study tours to experience NGO work and tours of the UN Headquarters building, and it runs a forum on promoting the SDGs in local communities.
Key points
- Holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and takes part in UN-related meetings
- Runs a school in Cambodia, developing the next generation through language and IT
- Offers ways for people in Japan to get involved, such as study tours and an SDGs forum
Why this organization's work stands out
Its approach combines education support on the ground with advocacy at the United Nations. It has bases in several countries and is introduced as holding activity permits from each government.
Study tours, tours of the UN Headquarters building and a forum on local SDGs offer chances to engage with international cooperation without leaving Japan.
Editor's comment
It was striking to see an organization active both on the large stage of the United Nations and at the everyday level of a local school.
Details on its activities and how to take part are on the official website. If you are curious, please take a look.