JICA Philippines Hosts NGO Seminar to Explore NGO Voice and Foster Citizen Participation

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office held the NGO-JICA Seminar on November 20, providing participants with an opportunity to learn about LOOB (Love Our Own Brethren), a Japanese NGO that has been active in the Philippines for over 25 years. The seminar aims to deepen the participants’ understanding of international cooperation and reflect on how they can contribute through everyday actions. Individuals interested in international cooperation, including students, NGO staff, and professionals were brought together in the seminar.

The seminar featured Ms. KOBAYASHI Yukie, founder and representative of LOOB. Under the theme “From Inspiration to Action: Creating Something from Zero to One,” Ms. Kobayashi shared her journey from her first visit to the Philippines as a university student to establishing LOOB in Iloilo City. She introduced NGO LOOB’s initiatives such as youth empowerment programs, environmental education through upcycling, and community-based projects tackling challenges and sustainability. Ms. Kobayashi also shared upcoming initiatives including the Panay Coffee Project and the upcycling of kimono obi, which aim to create sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Additionally, Ms. IWAWAKI Miharu, a LOOB intern, gave participants a closer look at sustainable practices by explaining how ethical products are made. After the seminar, participants exchanged impressions and networked with warm coffee of Panay Coffee Project organized by LOOB.

Feedback reflected strong engagement, with participants noting how the session inspired them to turn emotions into action and deepened their understanding of the challenges NGOs face on the ground.

NGO Seminars are part of JICA’s ongoing efforts to promote international cooperation and citizen participation. By organizing events like this, JICA continues to foster collaboration and connect people with global challenges to drive meaningful change.