Arigatou International News

Arigatou International is deeply saddened by the loss of lives, injuries, displacement, and the profound and long-lasting impact on children and families who are experiencing violence and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip and Israel. We urgently call for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities to avoid further escalation of the humanitarian crisis,

Dear Family of Dr. Agnes Abuom, the Ecumenical Fraternity and the Global Community of Faith, We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Agnes Abuom, a remarkable woman whose dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on the world. We at Arigatou International, extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and the entire ecumenical community during this time of profound

Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, President, Arigatou International, contributed an essay on “The Role of Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Development Programmes in the Prevention of Violence” to the “Safe to Learn” essay collection published by the Safe to Learn initiative and End Violence Partnership. This essay collection was launched at the margins of the Transforming Education Pre-Summit. The

Gravely concerned about the 7.5 million children affected by the escalation of violence and armed conflict in Ukraine, we at Arigatou International call for, and pray for, an immediate cessation of all military aggression, and for the quick provision of aid and assistance to all civilians, especially women and children and their families. We support

Rev. Dr. Fred Nyabera, Director of Arigatou International’s End Child Poverty initiative, has been honored with the “2019 Spirit of the United Nations” award. The award is presented to members of the UN community including ambassadors, UN Staff, NGOs, and youth representatives, and recognizes efforts to uphold the founding spirit of the United Nations.

First of all, on behalf of Arigatou International and as Convener of the GNRC, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the valuable contributions not only of all Forum participants, but also of many other supporters of Arigatou International, to the success of the GNRC 5th Forum held in Panama in May 2017.

Challenged by the global epidemic of violence against children, we, leaders and members of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions, girls and boys, women and men, from 70 countries, together with representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, met in Panama City, Panama for the 5th Forum of the Global Network

Five hundred faith leaders from 70 countries, joined by representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, have made a solemn commitment to greater effort and cooperation in the cause of ending violence against children. The leaders met in Panama City, Panama for the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions

“One out of three girls and one out of five boys will be exploited by the age of 18, 90% are by someone they know,” was one of the imperative statements issued by Dr. Alaa Murabit, one of the keynote speakers at the GNRC 5th Forum. Guided by the Forum’s three subthemes namely: the role

“One billion of the 2.2 billion children from all walks of life around the world endure different forms of physical and sexual violence, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, race, religion or income levels.” This was one of the statements echoed on the first day of the Fifth Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children.

Faith communities in Panama City, Panama have officially announced the upcoming GNRC 5th Forum set to take place in Panama City, Panama. The announcement, which was done at a press conference in Panama on 21st April 2017, was led by Mons. Sidney Fones, Chairman, GNRC 5th Forum International Organizing Committee and Rt. Rev. Julio E.

Arigatou International has been working hard on improving our relations with the international community. In view of such efforts, we have produced a flyer which details Arigatou International as a whole, and introduces our four initiatives (GNRC, Ethics Education, Prayer and Action, and End Child Poverty). We would like to encourage our partners and supporters

Last month, for the International Day of Peace, I wrote about how crucial it is that we build a world where every child can grow up free from violence, safe and sound. But war and armed conflict are not the only forms of violence destroying the precious lives of our children. In fact, it can

Geneva, 2 October 2015. A side event on Monitoring and Accountability of goals and targets related to Violence Against Children in the Post 2015 Global Sustainable Development Agenda took place on 29 September on the occasion of the 30th Session of the Human Rights Council.

　　　Today, on the International Day of Peace, I would like to add my voice to the worldwide chorus of people longing for peace in these troubled times. I thank and honor all those who are facing today’s violence by speaking out for peace and working diligently to make it a reality. I call upon everyone

The entire Arigatou family is mourning the loss of Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, Founder of Arigatou International and Leader of Myochikai, who passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 3:50 am in Tokyo at the age of 97. He will be deeply and dearly missed. A memorial ceremony for the family will take place on

The NGO Working Group on Children and Violence of Child Rights Connect, co-convened by Arigatou International and World Vision International, organized its regular meeting with Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence Against Children on 9 March in Geneva.

We are writing today to thank you for everything you do for children, and for sharing our vision of a world every girl and boy gets to grow up safe and sound. Here at Arigatou international, we are very excited about the start of this new year. We have refined our vision of what we

On Thursday 11 December, the Working Group on Children and Violence of Child Rights Connect launched a campaign titled Act Now – End Violence Against Children. The launch was co-organized with the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations in Geneva and brought together more than 35 participants, including ambassadors and other representatives of

The NGO working group on children and violence of Child Rights Connect, convened by Arigatou International, organized a meeting with Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence Against Children on 24 September in Geneva.

On 23 September 2014 Arigatou International Geneva in collaboration with the Global Initiative to End all Corporal Punishment of Children hosted a side event during the 27th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The event titled, “Ending All Violence Against Children in the Family – Working Together to Accelerate Progress,” aimed to

An article by Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, President of Arigatou International, was published today at the prestigious and widely read World Economic Forum Blog.

From 24 to 30 July, Initiatives of Change in cooperation with Child-to-Child Trust organized in Caux, Switzerland a conference titled Children as Actors for Transforming Society – Making Children’s participation work.  Arigatou International was invited to participate on the panel Safe Environment for Children that addressed how to strengthen children’s participation to ensure a safe

Arigatou International and Child Rights Education for Professionals (CRED-PRO) have jointly initiated a process of developing a child rights education curriculum for faith professionals.

Representatives of about 60 Arigatou International partners and supporters from around the world were invited to Japan to participate in commemorative events on 11 and 12 October for the 60th anniversary of Myochikai, the Buddhist movement that established Arigatou International in 1990. Religious leaders, adult and youth members of the Global Network of Religions for

Arigatou International organized a Round Table on the theme “Potentials and Pitfalls in Interfaith Cooperation for and with Children” to learn from the combined experience of the international guests in Japan for Myochikai’s 60th anniversary.

Arigatou International is celebrating 20 years of dedicated work for children’s rights. The celebrative event will take place in Tokyo, Japan on 11 -12 October, 2010 at the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Buddhist movement Myochikai. The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) will at the same occasion celebrate its 10th anniversary.