TICO (Tokushima International COoperation) is an NGO made up mainly of doctors from Tokushima Prefecture, founded in Tokushima in 1993. Valuing links between regions, it works mainly in Zambia and Cambodia on health care, rural development and education, with an emphasis on rooting skills and knowledge locally.
In Zambia, it has worked with the national heart hospital to transfer cardiovascular surgery skills. After a major drought struck in 2002, it also began supporting drought-resilient villages together with an agricultural college, and it supports the facilities of community schools in rural areas. In Cambodia, it has worked on emergency medical assistance in a setting where the emergency system is inadequate.
In Japan, it holds the "Global Citizens College" every month to share its experience, and gives talks at schools and workplaces using its own teaching materials as part of its global citizenship education. Back issues of its newsletter "Face to Face," from the first issue in 1994, can be read on its official website.
Key points
- Transfers medical skills and knowledge to local partners, led mainly by doctors from Tokushima
- Activities matched to local needs: health care and rural development in Zambia, emergency medicine in Cambodia
- Shares its work with citizens in Japan through the Global Citizens College and its newsletter
Why this organization's work stands out
It is distinctive that a regional NGO has applied doctors' expertise to health and livelihood challenges overseas for more than 30 years. Its principle of staying aware of how developed countries are involved in these problems is also a useful reference.
It shows a commitment to sharing information widely, for example by publishing newsletter back issues free of charge. It is also reported to hold CAF America certification, which few Japanese NGOs have.
Editor's comment
Its long engagement with health and livelihood issues around the world, while cherishing regional ties, shows the depth of international cooperation.
Details of its activities and announcements of the monthly Global Citizens College are on the official website. Please take a look.