News
“Peace from Food” Cooking for Peace Vol. 1
“Food can make you happy just by looking at it.”This is what Peace from Food means to Thi Thi, a member of the ARI team from Myanmar, working in FEAST (Food Education and Sustainable Table). Thi Thi’s drawings of vegetables and flowers reflect her hometown’s rich food culture and her heartfelt appreciation for the beauty of cuisine. “The cook’s feelings reflect directly in the taste of the food.”Her message connects you, your food, and your loved ones. “First, it’s important that you, yourself, feel it’s delicious. Because that connects to … Read more
【A Day of Healing in Nature 】
Recently, we held a community event at the ARI, visiting a river and waterfall together.It was a beautiful day to refresh our minds and bodies in the embrace of nature, surrounded by friends and shared moments. In the midst of our busy daily lives, we are grateful for the opportunity to slow down and connect—with nature and with each other. As the hot days continue, we hope you’re staying well and taking good care of yourselves.
“Peace from Food” from the tables of ARI’s graduates Vol. 5
For the future of children Nilani is a pioneering social worker in Sri Lanka. Born and raised in a poor family, she received a scholarship and studied at Sri Lanka’s first social welfare school. After teaching at her school and other educational institutions, she worked with Save the Children, where she interacted with a wide range of people. On December 26, 2004, an event occurred that would dramatically change her life. While on a business trip with her family to the coastal region, she encountered the massive tsunami caused by … Read more
“Peace from Food” from the tables of ARI’s graduates -Spin off-
This August 12, one of our graduates deeply involved in global peace-building visited the campus to speak about this important work. Thomas Mathew, a graduate from India, travels to Japan almost every year to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6th and the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9th. Peace activities are a critical pillar of his work. His passionate commitment to peace activities was sparked by his training at ARI in 1988. During the Western Japan Study Tour, he visited Hiroshima, where he encountered the history … Read more
【Visiting a Graduate】Hidamari Farm × ARI
Participants visited Hidamari Farm, a local organic farm and experiential learning NGO. Hidamari Farm grows just enough produce to support the 100 members of its CSA (teikei) group, ensuring their soil will be usable for generations. Chickens live free-range without stress, eating weeds and pests under the fruit trees, and lay their eggs at a sustainable rate. Through connecting with students across Japan, the farm provides a first chance for many urban youth to touch soil and experience nature. Managed by a 2013 graduate (2014 GI), Yohei Hamanaka, he shared … Read more
📢 Announcement | Radio Appearance: Tomoko Arakawa, Managing Director, appeared on a Japanese radio program
Part 1: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 21:30–22:00
Part 2: Sunday, August 24, 2025, 21:30–22:00
“Peace from Food” Special – “Food is … What Does Food Mean to You?” #2: Ryosuke Taniguchi, DUARI (Doshisha University Asian Rural Institute)
“Peace from Food” Donation Campaign Starting Friday, August 1, 2025!▶ Campaign website: ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025 From August 1, the Asian Rural Institute is running the “Peace from Food” Donation Campaign.Throughout the month of August, we are sharing voices from our community members and supporters on Instagram and Facebook Stories, centered around the theme “What does food mean to you?”All past stories can also be viewed on our Instagram Highlights. Once a week, as a special feature, we will also share messages from supporters of ARI. Week 2: DUARI (Doshisha University Asian Rural … Read more
