THE SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION

Fostering Dialogue to Enhance Mutual Understanding between Central European Countries and Japan

14,000,000 [Self-Operated/Commissioned Project]
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

In an effort to promote mutual understanding between Japan and four Central European countries, the Sasakawa Central Europe Fund has supported multitude of projects such as invitation of individuals, exchange project in the area of civil society building, and initiation of lecture series to foster understanding about contemporary Japan, etc, thereby contributing to a stronger ties between Japan and the Central European nations. More recently, however, the relations is entering a new stage where the four Central European states won membership to the European Union, and an influx of Japanese business enterprises and investment into the region is rapidly increasing. The objective of this project is to select specific areas and individuals that represent strong level of interests in stepping up interactions between Japan and the Central Europe to set up a forum where measures to enhance mutual understanding will be explored. To this end, a task force comprised of local parties concerned and Japanese expatriates shall be established in each country to discuss directions and options for future activities. Separately, past associated projects shall be evaluated, and the outcome of this project shall be proactively made use for drafting Sasakawa Central Europe Fund's guideline for the following year as well as for future projects.

1st Implementer's Meeting (June 2007, Prague)
Operation policy for task force meetings and regional conferences to be held in four Central European countries will be discussed between the Fund's personnel in charge and liaison personnel of each country.
Task Force Meetings (About 4 times, July 2007-February 2008)
In each of four Central European countries, a task force consisting of about 10 members representing Japanese residents, local governments, local businesses and NGOs will be formed. Challenges that await the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the region as well as future directions shall be discussed, which will be captured in reports written by liaison personnel.
2nd Implementer's Meeting (December 2007, Prague)
Based on the discussions at task force meetings in each country, program and participants of regional conference will be discussed.
Regional Conference (March 2008, Prague)
With a view to sharing the outcome of discussion in task force meetings in each of four countries, a regional conference will be held inviting about 80 delegates including members of task force, liaison personnel, Japanese residents and government officials in the region.

(A one-year project)