Africa NOW #108

Issued on 31st May, 2017 by Africa Japan Forum (AJF)«Contents»pp.2-7
Special Topic: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Civil Society Organizations in Japan)
The Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs, or the SDGs Japan, was established in April 2016 and was incorporated in February 2017. It has taken over the initiatives of Ugoku/Ugokasu, a Japanese civil society network focused on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), and aims to widen support for the SDGs through advocacy and cooperation with various partners in Japanese and international society. Following its continued engagement in building civil society network for Africa’sdevelopment, the AJF will commit to activities of the SDGs Japan, and will try to broaden its networks with NGOs/NPOs,
including those organizations focusing on problems in Japanese society..

“AJF in the SDGs era” by HOSHINO Tomoko
p.2-3
In her article, HOSHINO, AJF board member and environmental activist, briefly explains what the SDGs are, andexplores why it is important, and even inevitable, for the AJF to participate in the process. She reflects how the AJF has
engaged in civil society advocacy campaigns at various international meetings such as TICAD, G8 Summits, and UN
conferences.

“From Ugoku Ugokasu to Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs” by SEKIZAWA Haruka
pp.4-5SEKIZAWA was a staff member of Ugoku/Ugokasu and currently works as communication coordinator of SDGs Japan.
She looks back various advocacy and enlightenment campaigns of Ugoku/Ugokasu and explores the implications of its
legacy for the SDGs Japan“Findings through the activities of Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs” by NAGASHIMA Mikip.6
Based on her experiences in the field of public relations of NPOs and civil society organizations, NAGASHIMA points
out what is most important in public relations for civil society campaigns, either in the forms of mass campaigns or lobbying, is to make sure that stakeholders share the clear image of ultimate goals.
p.7“Taking down the wall between NPOs and NGOs in the SDGs era” by NITTA Eriko
NITTA works for the Japan NPO Center and is seconded to SDGs Japan. She expresses her expectations that the SDGs
will make NPOs working on domestic issues and NGOs working on international development closer to each other.
pp.8-11“Trends and Challenges of Long-term Care System in Sub-Saharan Africa” by MASUDA Ken
MASUDA has been interested in public health and social security in Ethiopia and has conducted field research for manyyears. Having attended the second Africa region conference of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics inNairobi, Kenya in December 2016, he felt there was much room for Japan to contribute toward designing appropriate policy
responses to ageing in Africa.

“Tackling African issues with a different perspective” by NAKANO Satoshi
pp.12-13
NAKANO is a former JOCV volunteer in Ethiopia and used to be an active member of the AJF in its early period. Last year
he resumed his involvement in the AJF’s activities, after he learned about difficulties that Congolese refugees were facing inJapan, and about activities of the Japan Association for Refugees.
AKC relay essay 3; “Living as a mixed Nigerian and Japanese” by Irene EVBADE-DAN
pp.14-15
EVBADE-DAN grew up in an environment where she had few chances to meet other kids of mixed origins. Followingadvice from her high school teacher, she decided to go to Tokyo and entered Sophia University, where she met many friends
who had similar experiences like hers. Through the AJF Kids Club (AKC), she meets many kids and families who often remind her of her own experiences and childhood memories. She hopes more people would participate in the AKC activities..
Back coverAttachment

Postscript (‘Hitotsu no musubime to shite’ in Japanese) and record of activities
Africa NOW 1081