Asian Rural Institute
50th Anniversary Celebration
Since ARI’s founding in 1973, we have been supported by many people who have made it possible to reach our 50th year.
Thank you for all of your support thus far!
50th Anniversary Online Streaming
Date: Saturday, September 16, 12:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
Please enjoy the archived video.
・Program：
13:00-13:45 50th Anniversary Worship Service
Preach：Rev Robert Witmer, UC Canada (Formal Director of Theological Seminary for Rural Mission）
14:00-15:45 50th Anniversary Commemorial Service
Keynote Speech：Ardhendu Chatterjee (India、1976 ARI graduate, Founder of DRCSC), Tomoko Arakawa (Current Director of ARI)
50th Anniversary Fundraising Begins!
Target Amount:
50th Anniversary Fundraising Achievement Status:
Focusing on ARI’s unique Rural Leaders Training Program, we would like to share this rich learning opportunity with more people. As it is our 50th anniversary, we would like to take this opportunity to enhance our organization and activities so that we may continue to sow seeds in the future.
Please consider supporting us！
Donations to the Asian Rural Institute are tax deductible
A few words from our Chairman...
Celebrating the Year of Jubilee!
ARI Chairman of the Board, Toshimasa Yamamoto
The Asian Rural Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. As such, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude for Rev. Dr. Toshihiro Takami, who founded ARI, to the many predecessors who laid the foundation, and to all those who have inherited their vision and supported us to this day.
The Old Testament describes the 50th year as the “Year of Jubilee”, a year in which people were freed of various afflictions. Leviticus 25:8-10 reads, “Count off seven sabbath years — seven times seven years — so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of fourty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you”. Jubilee is referring to the ram’s horn that is blown to signal the beginning and end of the sabbath. The Year of Jubilee was a quiet season for farming, and the cultivated land was given rest. All slaves were freed and were able to return to their families. For those who had debts, their debts were witten off.
Currently, there are nearly 8 billion people living in the world. We are facing various challenges such as war, environmental destruction, infectious diseases, poverty, hunger, and human rights violations. Many people need a Year of Jubilee. For the next 50 years, ARI has a vision in five areas to promote peace and create more change: Peace from the Soil, Food-Life, Climate Justice & Climate Action, Education, and Organization. During our Year of Jubilee, we will work under the theme of “Let’s learn together for a rural future”! We ask for your continued cooperation and support for ARI in its new path.
The Asian Rural Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. As such, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude for Rev. Dr. Toshihiro Takami, who founded ARI, to the many predecessors who laid the foundation, and to all those who have inherited their vision and supported us to this day. The Old Testament describes the 50th year as the "Year of Jubilee", a year in which people were freed of various afflictions. Leviticus 25:8-10 reads, "Count off seven sabbath years -- seven times seven years -- so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of fourty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you". Jubilee is referring to the ram's horn that is blown to signal the beginning and end of the sabbath. The Year of Jubilee was a quiet season for farming, and the cultivated land was given rest. All slaves were freed and were able to return to their families. For those who had debts, their debts were witten off. Currently, there are nearly 8 billion people living in the world. We are facing various challenges such as war, environmental destruction, infectious diseases, poverty, hunger, and human rights violations. Many people need a Year of Jubilee. For the next 50 years, ARI has a vision in five areas to promote peace and create more change: Peace from the Soil, Food-Life, Climate Justice & Climate Action, Education, and Organization. During our Year of Jubilee, we will work under the theme of "Let's learn together for a rural future"! We ask for your continued cooperation and support for ARI in its new path.
Established in 1973、
ARI turns 50 this year！
ARI was established in 1973 as a school to develop leaders who will be responsible for solving social issues such as poverty, discrimination, gender disparity, environmental destruction, and conflict in developing countries. It is a small school that is mainly funded by donations from individuals and organizations from Japan and abroad. Every year, we invite 20-30 grassroots leaders from more than 10 countries to participate in 9 months of leadership training within our intentional community.
The number of graduate's home-countries
The number of graduates
This is only the beginning!
Prospective participants have a wide range of occupations and social & regional issues they are passionate about. However, all graduates are expected to take the knowledge, skills, attitude, and ambition of a servant leader back to their home-countries. They are expected to use what they learned at ARI to solve problems within their local communities.
Graduates have promoted positive change in their communities
Here are a few
graduate stories for example...
Thaung・Si（2012 Graduate）
Lisu Theological Seminary（Myanmar）
Protecting Food Sovereignty and Creating Seeds for the Community
Thaung Si is a program coordinator at the Lisu Theological Seminary in Myanmar where he and fellow ARI graduate, Samuel Bya, started a program called Sustainable Living Training. Within this program, Thaung Si produced a community seed bank and keeps a seed garden on the campus grounds. Alongside the garden is a small mud house used for seed storage, which incidentally, he built together with the help of a Buddhist monk. Thaung Si regularly conducts training sessions on food sovereignty and seed banking, not only for the seminary, but for the wider community as well.
Renuka・Gunawardana（2004 Graduate）
Thushara・Nilmini（2009 Graduate）
Social Worker（Sri Lanka）
Despite Difficulties, Providing Food for Their Community
After the recent economic collapse in Sri Lanka, people are facing shortages of all kinds, including food. However, in the village where Renuka and Thushara teach community members how to cultivate vegetable gardens, there is enough for everyone to eat. Renuka describes the impact of her leadership training as she says, “Thanks to my time at ARI, I am able to share my knowledge of how to grow and preserve food with people”. She and Thushara will continue to support their local community.
Mambud・Samai（2018 Graduate）
Single Leg Amputee Sports Association（Sierra Leone）
Confidence and Independence for Single Leg Amputees
Pastor Mambud, who supports the independence of amputees, gathered young people who had lost their legs and arms after the civil war and formed a soccer team. He did so because he knew that playing sports would boost their confidence. After graduating from ARI, Pastor Mambud set up a “Soccer Garden” to help amputees develop their ability to be self-sufficient in relation to food while also enjoying time playing the sport. Pastor Mambud connects his current project to ARI as he describes, “This was made possible thanks to my training at ARI”.
However, there are still many challenges to be addressed in the world.
Especially in rural areas of developing countries where support is out of reach, there are still many leaders in need of training at ARI.
We hope to reach as many of those individuals as possible.
The challenges continue.
50th Anniversary Fundraising Begins!
Target Amount:
Focusing on ARI’s unique Rural Leaders Training Program, we would like to share this rich learning opportunity with more people. As it is our 50th anniversary, we would like to take this opportunity to enhance our organization and activities so that we may continue to sow seeds in the future.
Please consider supporting us！
Donations to the Asian Rural Institute are tax deductible
Message of Graduate
A few words from our Director...
A Fruitful 50 years,
We Will Continue to Sow Seeds
ARI Director, Tomoko Arakawa
Over the course of 50 years, ARI has trained approximately 1,400 “rural leaders” dispatched from more than 800 grassroots organizations in 62 countries around the world. Many of our graduates are active in multiple fields such as sustainable agriculture, health, environmental protection, support for the vulnerable, education, disaster recovery, and human rights advocacy. They work tirelessly to meet the various needs of people facing challenges in their communities. As a result, their work has changed people’s lives, changed communities, and produced much “fruit” that can be passed on to the next generation.
As we think about the next 50 years, we hope to further improve the quality of the ARI campus, farm, and educational materials — which are the foundation of our Rural Leaders Training Program. We also hope that more people who need this training can experience it. In addition, ARI is now growing as a place of learning not only for rural leaders from around the world, but also for many ordinary people regardless of nationality or age. Please support the ARI 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, so that we may continue to sow seeds as a robust learning center where individuals can pursue and practice ways to “live together” with people, nature, and God.
Over the course of 50 years, ARI has trained approximately 1,400 "rural leaders" dispatched from more than 800 grassroots organizations in 62 countries around the world. Many of our graduates are active in multiple fields such as sustainable agriculture, health, environmental protection, support for the vulnerable, education, disaster recovery, and human rights advocacy. They work tirelessly to meet the various needs of people facing challenges in their communities. As a result, their work has changed people's lives, changed communities, and produced much "fruit" that can be passed on to the next generation. As we think about the next 50 years, we hope to further improve the quality of the ARI campus, farm, and educational materials -- which are the foundation of our Rural Leaders Training Program. We also hope that more people who need this training can experience it. In addition, ARI is now growing as a place of learning not only for rural leaders from around the world, but also for many ordinary people regardless of nationality or age. Please support the ARI 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, so that we may continue to sow seeds as a robust learning center where individuals can pursue and practice ways to "live together" with people, nature, and God.
"Learning Together for a Rural Future"
"Let's learn together for a rural future"
On the occasion of our 50th anniversary,
We have established a new vision.
“Peace From the Soil”
“Food Life”
“Climate Justice and Climate Action”
“Education”
“Organization”
We have established five growth areas,
with five further areas in each of them,
creating a total of 25 themes of future improvement.
And this is...
A Map of ARI's Future Course!
We remember that our school was built on the prayer of atonement for the war of aggression on Asia, and hope that our organization will continue to have an existence that cherishes and supports life. To that end, we will love the “soil” (nature) that nurtures life, and create peace by living together in harmony with everything that God has created.
In the spirit of valuing the life that circulates in nature and its diversity, we will grow, cook, and share healthy food and practice gratitude for all we are blessed with. While loving God, people, and nature, we will work together to cultivate the soil and learn together. Through practicing self-sufficiency, we will gain an understanding of topics such as food sovereignty, climate justice, and disaster-resistant farming.
We will make full use of campus resources and implement climate change measures while keeping in line with the principles of climate justice. Specifically, we aim to reduce waste, switch to alternative energy sources such as sunlight, and decarbonize using charcoal. We will also explore technologies that can be applied to the rural communities to which participants belong.
Climate Justice: A concept that protects the rights of the poor and marginalized by sharing the impacts, burdens, and benefits of climate change fairly and equitably.
We will value cultural practices and learn from differences while maintaining diversity within our organization. Further, we will connect and learn from alumni not only within our school’s community, but also with local people and alumni from all over the world. We will create a place for experiential learning that will be open for many people to visit.
We will enhance the sustainability and resilience of ARI as an organization, which is the infrastructure that supports all of our programs. In addition to strengthening our financial base and fine-tuning safety protocols, we will also enhance our ability and skills to steward human and intellectual resources through coaching and knowledge management.
The future we are aiming for is one in which people and soil are highly valued and the work that makes life (and food) possible is highly respected. We would like to expand our principles and learning community around the world for this purpose. At the root of this hope is ARI’s eternal motto, “That We May Live Together”.
Working for the comprehensive achievement, the mission of ARI in the five priority areas is not for the distant future, but for the present. Our actions today will surely lead to the future.
The future is created by the choices we make and actions we take today.
Towards this new vision,
Various projects
Are starting to move.
In order to realize this future,
We need your help.
50th Anniversary Fundraising Begins!
Target Amount:
Focusing on ARI’s unique Rural Leaders Training Program, we would like to share this rich learning opportunity with more people. As it is our 50th anniversary, we would like to take this opportunity to enhance our organization and activities so that we may continue to sow seeds in the future.
Please consider supporting us！
Donations to the Asian Rural Institute are tax deductible
Looking Back!
50 Years of ARI
ARI’s predecessor was the “Southeast Asia Department” established at the Rural Mission Seminary (Machida, Tokyo) in the 1960s. It began with the purpose of assisting rural development in Southeast Asian countries as atonement for the Japanese churches’ complicity in the war effort during World War II.
1973
Asian Rural Institute (“ARI”) opens its School
The Southeast Asia Christian Rural Leaders’ Training Course became independent from the Theological Seminary for Rural Mission and “Asian Rural Institute” was opened.
The first class consisted of 10 participants from 6 countries (including 6 Japanese).
Through the dedicated efforts of local people, a 6-hectare plot of land was acquired in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. ARI started with a prefabricated school building and began there as a pioneer of Japanese NGOs.
Training local leaders in Japan rather than sending Japanese agricultural technicians overseas, through practicing organic farming based on communal living, were innovative and unique even by global standards.
1983
Dining hall building burned down, the new dining hall “Koinonia” built
The dining hall building was completely destroyed by fire of unknown cause. The cafeteria of the farmshop was temporarily used, and a new dining hall, Koinonia, was completed in 1984.
Despite the fire and other disasters, the 1980s was a period of remarkable growth, with the construction of the new dining hall and seminar house, and the start of the Training Assistant program (an advanced course for the Graduates) and study tours.
In the 1990s, attempts were made to expand activities overseas in order to meet domestic and international expectations.
1995
Santa Rita Training Center Completed
ARI’s training center was completed in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Collaborative projects with overseas local organizations were initiated. (Projects completed in 2003)
1996
Magsaysay Award for International Understanding
The Magsaysay Award for International Understanding was presented to Toshihiro Takami (the founding director) by the Philippine government for his distinguished service in the field of peace and human development at ARI.
ARI’s efforts have been recognized by society, and it has received several prestigious awards.
ARI Awards
1988 Minister of Foreign Affairs Award
1989 5th Japan Foundation Regional Exchange Award
1996 Magsaysay Award for International Understanding
1998 Special Award for Social Contribution Activities,
Tochigi Association of Corporate Executives
2001 13th Mainichi International Exchange Award
2006 5th Iue Asia Pacific Culture Prize
2009 Asahi Social Welfare Award
2019 Texas Christian University Global Innovator Award
2019 12th Kamenori Prize for Human Resource Development
The basic concept of the training program was revised and evolved into a more participant-driven curriculum.
Commemorative symposiums and peace symposiums were actively held in celebration of the 30th anniversary. ARI continues to take a leadership role both at home and abroad as a promoter of international understanding and the peace movement.
2007
Peace Symposium
The Peace Symposium “Peace from the Soil” was held at ARI as part of the UNESCO Asian Cultural Centre’s International Exchange and Mutual Understanding Project.
Just as the total number of graduates exceeded 1,000 and ARI was growing steadily, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. ARI faced an unprecedented crisis.
2011
The Great East Japan Earthquake
The intensity of the earthquake in Nasushiobara City was just under 6. Extensive damage occurred to the main building, Koinonia House, the women’s dormitory, and the men’s dormitory. Radiation leakage occurred due to the explosion at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Amidst the devastation, the training program was continued by borrowing part of the facilities of the Theological Seminary for Rural Mission in Machida City, Tokyo.
The ARI Becquerel Center was established in the adjacent Nasu Seminar House. The center was established to measure the radioactivity of ARI’s agricultural products as well as other local foods.
2012
Rebuilding Facilities with Donations
ARI’s Disaster Reconstruction Project was ongoing through 2015. Donations for disaster recovery amounted to 827 million yen over 5 years. This enabled us to construct eight new school buildings including the farm shop and administration building, the men’s dormitory, Koinonia (classrooms, dining hall, library, and conference room), as well as four staff housing buildings, chapel, and renovation of the women’s dormitory.
It was a decade in which ARI grew stronger as we reaffirmed our ties with our supporters and overcame our greatest challenges.
And in the 2020s, with the 50th anniversary year coming up, ARI was hit by another severe challenge.
2020
The Pandemic - Enrollment Plummets Due to Closed Border
A global pandemic occurs. Borders were closed around the world, including Japan, and participants were unable to enter or leave the country.
As a result, enrollment in FY2020 was reduced to 10 participants (including 2 Japanese) and 1 Graduate Intern, and down to 4 participants (including 3 Japanese) in FY2021. Even so, we were able to continue the intensive training program with a small number of participants.
For ARI, which is based on communal living, dealing with the avoidance of the “3Cs” (closed spaces, crowded places, close contact) was a major challenge. Financially, it was also a very difficult time due to the decrease in scholarship funds.
2022
The Pandemic Ends, Enrollment Recovers
With the gradual easing of the border restriction caused by the Covid pandemic, we were able to welcome a record number of participants to ARI: 31 participants and 5 Graduate Interns, for a total of 36 in the training program.
The total number of graduates reached 1399.
Staff and volunteers pooled their wisdom and continued to flexibly and creatively explore the best ways to make use of online and community connections. During this time, we also received a large number of donations from our supporters, and together we were able to overcome the difficulties.
2023
We Celebrate ARI's 50th Anniversary!!
We celebrate our 50th anniversary.
This year, we welcomed 26 participants from 14 countries and 3 Graduate Interns.
(Please take a look at 2023 Opening Ceremonies video)
ARI’s 50-year journey has not been a smooth one. However, miraculously, we have always had the help of many people during the difficult times. This is because there are people all over the world who believe that ARI is, and will always be, needed as a place of learning. So, with gratitude and a new vision, ARI will continue to move forward.
50th Anniversary Fundraising Begins!
Target Amount:
Focusing on ARI’s unique Rural Leaders Training Program, we would like to share this rich learning opportunity with more people. As it is our 50th anniversary, we would like to take this opportunity to enhance our organization and activities so that we may continue to sow seeds in the future.
Please consider supporting us！
Donations to the Asian Rural Institute are tax deductible
Messages of Support
Thank you for a full 50 years.
And thank you for your continued support!
Message Board
We look forward to receiving your messages.
13 thoughts on “50th Anniversary Commemorative Site”
I will be happy to join the event and want to be a part of celebration.
Warmest congratulations on the momentous 50th anniversary, to be celebrated on September 16, 2023! This remarkable milestone is a testament of unwavering commitment to training and nurturing rural leaders from 63 diverse countries. The impact, having touched the lives of 1399 leaders in rural livelihood and leadership, is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The Asian Rural Institute has been a beacon of hope and education for countless individuals, including myself, who have had the privilege of being part of this transformative journey. The dedication to equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to promote positive change in their communities has truly made the world a better place to live.
As a proud graduate, I am deeply grateful for the invaluable experiences and insights that have shaped my life and allowed me to become an agent of change in our world. ARI legacy of empowerment and sustainable development continues to inspire us all.
Here’s to the Asian Rural Institute’s extraordinary achievements and the bright future it continues to create for rural leaders worldwide. May the next 50 years be even more impactful and filled with
success.
Warm regards,
Ricky Renthlei
Director (Livelihood)
Bethany Society
Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Congratulations everyone! To God be the Glory, in His Name we Glorify and Praise u Lord! And we join our heart in grateful thanksgiving for the 50 life years of Asian Rural Institute!
I am Prokhen ARI name Khen, congratulations does God has faithful up to 50 years of celebration. May God bless you all ARI families.
My congratulation 50th Anniversary. I was try to come. But I will come onther programme. Thanks to participates our srilanka n team. And other all of them. Good bless ARI community.
I am Prokhen Phangcho ARI name Khen 2018 participant from India, congratution,does Gad has brought upto 50th year of celebration. May God bless you all.
Congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of ARI works. Wishing you the very best on this important day. We are unable to be there physically but we are with you in spirit. God bless you all for your hard work.
I am very glad that the time has come to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ARI foundation. This is such a wonderful journey and tremendous blessings that we all have received from the Lord.
To God be the Glory!
Dear Asian Rural Institute
Congratulation for your anniversary.
50 years, it’s not a short time, but it’s a long process to create rural leaders.
The spirit of ARI to create participants to be a leader thatjust thinking about their community, spread whole over the world.
I am so blessed to be part of ARI family.
God bless ARI.
All the best ARI you always give people home you are the best I love this school so much
I am very glad to see ARI’s 50th anniversary. ARI had many difficulties in the past but now everything was going well by the grace of God. I hope you all the best for the future. Happy ARI’s 50th anniversary. to you all and more.
Wishing ARI’s 50th Anniversary God’s blessings and guidance. Thank you for trai ning Rural Leaders over the past 50 years.
May they be blessed and guided in the future too.
Thanks,
Lakshman and Nelum 1977 group.
Rural is a mind set! It is an individual perception and not necessarily a place. All cities have been built by rural people, fed with rural food, build with rural materials. This what London is, having been built but materials from Africa. Japan having been built by resources from rural Asian countries giving Japan the status it holds currently. Let’s adopt the African concept of OBUNTU that you are because we are. Your survival in the city high depend on the rural. Yes it is rural where true life exists!