What is SHIMIN GAIKOU CENTRE(SGC)?
Shimin Gaikou Centre(Citizens' Diplomatic
Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)is
a non-partisan and grass-roots organisation
founded in March, 1982 by a group of citizens
and students who participated in a big wave
of support for the 2nd UN Special Session
for Disarmament held in New York. The Centre
has been concerned with peace, human rights,
environment and development issues internationally.
Especially, from the very start, we have
contacted and supported indigenous peoples
and nations and their human rights, as well
as institutions of indigenous peoples
and NGOs. We have developed good programmes
with the Ainupeople and the small island-nations
in the South Pacific. The Centre would like
to maintain close communication from concerned
people and the NGOs which support them all
over the world.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHIMIN GAIKOU CENTRE
1982 March
SGC is established
1983 May
SGC inquires into the coercive slaughter of animals during World War II (A report is published in 1984)
June Launched the publication of the English
Newsletter, MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE IN JAPAN.
1986 Dec.
PEACE TAX movement initialed.
1987 July
SGC starts to send delegations to the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva with the Ainu people
1988 Jan.
SGC starts to send peace books on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki to libraries and institutions
in the South Pacific.
Feb.
SGC starts to make an annual contribution to the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations
1989 Nov.
PEACE SCHOLARSHIP is established for indigenous South Pacific students
1990
SGC begins participation in "International
Human Rights NGO Network" as one of
founding members.
1990 Aug.
A book, "The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Human Rights Activities of the United Nations", is published
1993 June
SGC participates in the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna
1996
SGC began supporting the participation of
the Okinawa/Ryukyu Peoples in the UN Working
Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva.
1999
SGC becomes the first Japanese grass-roots
NGO to be given the Special Consultative
Status at the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC).
SGC is the ECONOS NGO.
2001
SGC participates as one of core Japanese
NGOs in the World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance in Durban, South Africa.
2002
SGC sents delegates to the first Permanent
Forum which is the new UN organization to
discuss issues related to Indigenous Peoples
in New York.
2002 June
SGC organizes international symposium celebrating
the 20th anniversary of the SGC.
Shimin Gaikou Centre (SGC)
eMAIL:
peacetax@js2.so-net.ne.jp
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