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■■■TCSF English Newsletter No.3■■■　

◆ 2006.July　◆

Viva! Africa: People’s Network across the Continents
Published by TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
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Dear colleagues,
Our English newsletter contains information about TCSF’s activities
and Japanese aid supports toward Africa. We hope to
strengthen our network with you by sharing information about our
activities.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Thank you.
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■　1, Activities of Working Groups
-TCSF White Paper Working Group
-Partnership Seminar Working Group
-Alert Working Group
■　2,Feature Stories
-Botswana Week
-Summary on the Symposium, “Can Japan’s ODA Save the World’sPoverty?
■　3,Topics of Japan-Africa Relation and Japan’s Aid supports

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【1】Activities of Working Groups
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■TCSF White Paper Working Group■

We have been working on the second issue of TCSF White Paper. As we did
for the first issue of the White Paper, we invite African NGOs to
study Japan's ODA if it is actually contributing to improve grassroot
people in Africa particularly vulnerable groups. We also look into the
roles and the contributions of the civil societies in the African
development. We have already started to contact with some African NGOs
as well as Japanese NGOs.

The English version of the White Paper 2005 can be downloaded at
http://ticad-csf.net/eng/e-index.htm
We look forward to your comments, which will be useful for compiling
the second issueof the White Paper.

■Partnership Seminar Working Group■

The Partnership Seminar Working Group of TCSF organizes seminars in
Africa with local NGOs. Its goals are to build cooperative partnership
with African civil society and to share information about Japanese
foreign aid policy toward Africa. In 2006, we are planning to hold
seminars in both Malawi and Ethiopia between September and October.

In Malawi, we will organize a seminar with the Malawi Economic Justice
Network (MEJN), which is the umbrella network for over 100 member-
organizations to advocate for policy change on various development
issues, and Actionaid International Malawi, which is the organization
to fight against poverty through projects and campaigns. In Ethiopia, a
seminar will be held by TCSF and the Christian Relief & Development
Assiociation (CDRA), which is the umbrella NGO for more than 200 NGOs
in Ethiopia.

■Alert Working Group■

The Alert Working Group has begun preparing for the next issue of our
quarterly magazine, “Africa Alert News: vol.5” which is scheduled to
be publishe at the end of July. We are planning to deal with a variety
of issues, such as the situation in Darfur, the review of the symposium
“Can Japanese ODA save the World’s Poverty?”, and voices from African
CSOs on debt relief and food insecurity in East Africa.
The English version of the latest issue(vol.4) will be ready and
available on our English website soon.

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【2】Feature Stories
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■Botswana Week■

"Botswana Week", a series of events to make Botswana better known in
Japan and strengthen friendship and ties between the people of Japan
and Botswana, was held from June 2 (Fri) to 9 (Fri) under the auspices
of the Botswanian Embassy in Japan. These events were held in
commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the independence of Botswana,
the center of the southern part of Africa, and the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries. During “Botswana
Week”, the Botswanian traditional cultures were introduced to Japan,
especially the arts and handiworks, representing wild animals and a
row of houses and streets in Botswana and handmade baskets, which is
one of the African famous arts because of theirpracticality and
originality. Also, the diamond was exhibited, which is mostyexported in
the world by Botswana. In the area of the sightseeing, the fascination
of travels in Botswana was introduced, too. Along with them, Botswanian
It was performed 6 times in 3 days. This dance expressed traditional
folk tales and wild animals powerfully, together with singing and
handclaps.
Japanese people had few chances to appreciate Botswanian traditional
cultures so they enjoyed fascinating Botswanian cultures very much.
Yoko Ishida, vice president of TCSF, and Miki Nagashima, Secretary
General of TCSF were introduced, by H.E. Mr. Oscar MOTSWAGAE,
Ambassador of Botswana to Japan, to the opening ceremony of the
Botswana Week at Roppongi Hills on 2nd of June. It was notable, during
the Botswana Week, that the government of Botswana had been active to
introduce their culture, products and tourism etc. and to work with
Japanese private companies and NGOs. It was a good opportunity for
TCSF to improve our relationship with the Embassy of Botswana to
strengthen our advocacy activities.

■Summary on the symposium, "Can Japan's ODA save the world's Poverty?”■

Summary on the international symposium, “Can Japan’s ODA save the
world’s Poverty?” was completed. The symposium was held by TCSF and
five other NGOs in Tokyo, Japan on 27th May. It was attended by more
than 170 participants consisted of NGOs/CSOs, diplomats, government
officials, academics and devel opment professionals including Mr.
Manning, the Chair of OECD/DAC and Mr. Kodama, former Deputy Foreign
Minister of Japan, as the panelists.
The report can be downloaded at
http://ticad-csf.net/eng/e-index.htm

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【3】Topics of Japan-Africa Relation and Japan’s Aid support
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June.2
Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Co-operation of the Republic of Djibouti visits Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/6/0602.html
June.7
Japan and UN decided to extend assistance for Liberia through the Trust
Fund for Human Security
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/6/0607.html
June.9
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and two Other
Ministers
of State of the Republic of Rwanda visited Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/6/0609.html
June.12
Japan and UN decided to extend assistance for Sudan through the Trust
Fund for Human Security
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/6/0612.html
June.15
Repatriations for Dispatching Electoral Observer Mission to the
Democratic
Republic of Congo
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/6/0615.html
June.22
Japan decided to extend a grant aid contributionto improvie the
humanitarian situation in the Darfur region, Sudan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/6/0622.html
June.27
Japan sendt Observers the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Assembly of
the African Union
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/6/0627.html
July.9
Mr. Abdelwaheb Abdallah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of
Tunisia, visits Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2006/7/0707.html#3

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