What are SGC's projects?
A. PEACE SCHOLARSHIP FOR INDIGENOUS SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDERS
In the South Pacific area, there are small countries populated by as few as 200,000 people, most of which have joined the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty adopted in 1985. Some non-member countries present a more radical policy for a Nuclear-Free Zone and enforce it. Furthermore, some countries in this area do not possess any military forces at all. In relation to global environmental isues, they demand conservation of environment and oppose pollution, that is, rising sea level due to global warming, deforestation of tropical rain forest, nuclear tests, ocean dumping of various wastes from the advanced nations. We set a high value on the policies of these nations and support sustainable development in their traditional way. We hope that these policies will be transmitted to the younger generation. Therefore, we provide secondary school students of these nations with our PEACE SCHOLARSHIP.
B. SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' PARTICIPATION IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMMES
The UN WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS
was established to draft the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION
ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES and to
monitor the promotion of human rights of
indigenous peoples in 1982. We have supported
the sending of the Ainu people's delegation
to UN meetings in Geneva and New York since
1987 and more recentry of Okinawa/Ryukyu
peoples. We contribute every year to UN VOLUNTARY
FUND FOR INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS so that indigenous
organizations without sufficient funds can
send their delegation to the sessions held
in Geneva, Switzerland. This project serves
as the training ground for young indigenous
peoples to take part in the international
activities.
C. ASSISTANCE FOR DISEMINATING HUMAN RIGHTS
IDEAS AND INDIGENOUS CULTURES
The years from 1995 to 2004 are designated
as the UN Decade of Human Rights Education.
SGC provides financial asscestance for translating
international human rights documents into
the languages of the indigenous peoples in
Latin America and Asia. These documents may
be used by indigenous peoples to fight against
violation of human rights.
D. TEMPORAL SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS BY NGOS
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND SPECIAL REKIEF
ASSISTANCE FOR NATURAL DIASTERS
We support ad hoc projects, for example,
demarcation of the Kuna people (Panama),
human rights programme of the Cordillera
people (Philippines), non-nuclear activity
of the Belau people (Belau), and a tropical
forest sanctuary of the Maya people (Belize).
SGC also provides special relief assistance
for natural diasters in the areas where the
indigenous peoples reside, because the assistance
to these areas are often delayed.
E. PEACE GOODS FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES' ACTIVITIES
We present small-sized equipment and devices to NGOs, for example, cameras to environmental protection groups (PNG, Solomon Islands), and battery chargers to human rights groups (Philippines).
F. EXCHANGE OF INFOMATION WITH BOTH DOMESTIC
AND INTERNATIONAL NGOs
In addition to dose cooperation with
NGOs
which deal with the issues related
to indigenous
peoples and human rights, we exchange
information
with NGOs which specialize in development
assistance and environmental protections.
G. PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC MEETING
1) Annual Report in Japanese with the statement
of account (once a year)
2) Japanese Newsletter, PEACE TAX NEWS (2
or 3 issues a year)
3) Japanese publications of UN materiales
about the rights of indigenous peples (booklets
and CD's)
4) Study groups and meetings whitch report
the results of international conventions.
H. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Although NGOs are fully recognized
as an
essential element of the Japanese society,
to conduct activities of the NGOs completely
independent of the government has become
increasingly difficult. SGC has been
involved
with other NGOs in researching the
warp to
continue activities independent of
the government.
Shimin Gaikou Centre(SGC)
eMAIL:
peacetax@js2.so-net.ne.jp
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