School for Training Rural Leaders in Asia and Africa Still Thriving

The Asian Rural Institute's Rural Leaders Training Center (ARI) is a private, non-profit institution located in Japan that is dedicated to training leaders for rural development in Asia and Africa. Ever since its establishment in 1973, ARI has invited about 30 trainees to attend the school every year to nurture leaders for the improvement and prosperity of rural communities. As of March 2004, a total of 1,009 people from 50 countries graduated from the ARI.

Community leaders recommended by non-governmental organizations working on rural development in developing countries attend the institute, as well as Japanese people with an interest in sustainable agriculture and rural development. Training based on self-sufficiency is provided at its organic farm in Nishinasuno Town, Tochigi Prefecture.

Courses cover practical agricultural techniques such as growing rice and vegetables and raising livestock and fish, as well as agri-environmental management. In addition, training includes visits to Japanese rural villages for hands-on experience, giving an opportunity to learn about rural Japanese communities.

Various people with different religious and cultural backgrounds study together at ARI. In an effort to fully respect all backgrounds, the institute allows individual projects in which the trainees can choose a major field according to their interests from the courses offered, such as rice cropping, fish culture, food processing, or rural community organization. ARI also gives high priority to training in appropriate technologies that match the needs of each rural area.



Posted: 2004/07/01 02:46:42 PM
Japanese version