The “Africa Asia NGO Network Workshop in Tokyo”, sponsored by JICA and organized by the TICAD Civil Society Forum, conducted its closing session on October 26, 2007 via videoconference connecting from the TDLC with 6 African countries to share the results of the 2-day workshop.

With the TICAD IV meetings coming up in Yokohama in May 2008, the Tokyo Workshop was held to provide an opportunity for participants to listen to the citizens of Africa and foster greater understanding. It follows up on the Nairobi Workshop held in Kenya in September, attended by 80 persons including representatives from 13 African NGOs.

Building on the “Voices of African Civil Society” adopted by members in Nairobi, participants in the Tokyo Workshop drafted “Voices of African and Japanese Civil Society” reflecting the views of Japanese NGOs as well.

The closing session incorporated videoconference to share these results with counterparts in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cameroon. The session at the TDLC was attended by 30 participatns including representatives of African NGOs. Mr. Charles Abbey presented a summary of the Tokyo Workshop.