Reflections

One evening during a recent visit to the Philippines, I found myself sitting at a table having supper with two ARI graduates, both Episcopal priests, and a former ARI staff member.  As expected, the conversation was packed with memories of ARI. Sentence after sentence began with the words, “When I was at ARI….”  I never get tired of these stories.  Each one holds its individuality, but when you put them together, a pattern emerges that depicts the whole of ARI through the eyes of its Participants.  They also show how … Read more

With the name “Asian Rural Institute” and a program dedicated to training rural leaders, there can be no mistake about ARI’s commitment to reaching the rural regions of the world and the people that live there. But interestingly, one conversation that frequently arises at ARI is, “What is rural?” During the annual Rural Community Study Tour, participants spend two weeks traveling through northern Japan meeting organic farmers, staying in their homes, and working together with them on their farms. They experience how these farmers and farming communities lead simple, respectful, … Read more