8th Talk Salon event sponsored by JICA Global Plaza and World Bank PIC Tokyo
Hiroyuki Suzuki, Peace Winds Japan
April 3, 2008, Tokyo – The 8th Talk Salon event was held at JICA’s (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Global Plaza, a discussion about how NGO Peace Winds Japan and Zensho Group (the parent company of the popular “Suki-ya” gyudon fast food chain) are teaming up to assist communities in East Timor in the production of coffee. It was co-sponsored by JICA Global and World Bank PIC Tokyo.
Peace Winds Japan is an NGO that has embarked on a mission to support the local production of coffee in East Timor through the independent work of its citizens. “Peace Coffee” is being promoted and produced in East Timor as a fair trade product. As part of the effort, Zensho Group, Ltd., the parent company of Japan’s popular “Suki-ya” gyudon chain of restaurants, has begun selling the “Peace Coffee” brand at its 1,810 stores across Japan, creating an opportunity for the fair trade idea to be embraced by large audiences. (In addition to “Suki-ya,” Zensho also manages COCO’s, Big Boy, and other family-style restaurants across Japan.)
Talk Salon participants at JICA Global Plaza
JICA Global Plaza’s Ms. Haruko Kase gave welcoming remarks at the outset of the Talk Salon, and explained about the series, followed by Mr. Hiromitsu Suzuki of Peace Winds Japan, who spoke on the non-profit status of his organization and the coffee cultivation program in East Timor, which is intended to support improvements in the population’s standard of living.
Zensho Group’s Mr. Sadao Kawagoe, discussed the theme of fair trade and what it means, including distinguishing between 4 types of fair trade such as the merits of fair trade for consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and corporations. Different points of view on fair trade and on Zensho’s initiative were shared in a straightforward, easy to understand manner.
Sadao Kawagoe, Zensho Group
Questions from participants at the Talk Salon focused on what kind of support is being provided in agriculture and what levels of sales were being achieved in the program. After the presentations and Q&A session were closed, Talk Salon participants sampled cups of Peace Coffee and engaged in light conversation about this unique effort being undertaken by the private and public sector.
The JICA Global Plaza and World Bank PIC Tokyo have jointly created a Talk Salon series that brings together NPO/NGOs, government officials, international organizations, private sector participants, researchers and other sector experts to discuss global development issues. The concept involves bringing together the international and domestic, the public and the private interest. At each Talk Salon, two guests are invited to discuss an international or domestic issue, and how the Japanese private sector makes efforts on that particular issue, as well as specific cases of cooperation by NGOs.
The JICA Global Plaza
Located in Hiroo, Tokyo, the JICA Global Plaza is a center that aims to stand in solidarity with developing countries, sharing information on various kinds of international cooperation efforts, including cultural exchanges, training, and communication with civil society. Issues involving development are introduced through exhibitions, displays, presentations, and discussions. Group visits and educational field visits are most welcome.
Regular operating hours are 10:00am – 8:00pm Monday – Friday and 10:00am – 6:00pm Saturday.
World Bank Public Information Center (PIC Tokyo)
PIC Tokyo is located in the Fukoku Seimei Building lobby in Uchisaiwai-cho, Tokyo. Materials and displays related to development issues as well as information about the World Bank Group are located here, and provided free of charge to the public. The center is open from 10:00am – 6:00pm Monday – Friday.
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