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The Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases was held December 7-8, 2000 in Okinawa, Japan. OISCA participated as a member of the Japanese NGO group and was represented by Ms. Michiko Takahashi. The conference was held as part of the follow-up activities of the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit hosted by the Japanese Government, which took place in July 2000.

    The Kyushu-Okinawa Summit was quite unique in many respects. For example, more than two-thirds of "the G8 Communique Okinawa 2000" (a document produced at the Summit) is occupied by development related issues, and collaboration in that area between governments and the private sector, including companies, research institutions and NGOs, was highlighted more than ever before. The issue of HIV/AIDS problems was a prominent focus during the Summit as well. In July, right before the Summit, the Japanese Government announced the Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative (IDI), thus taking leadership among the other G8 countries.

    Although this conference was basically held for the G8 countries' officials, since one of its most important themes was "partnership," a total of 170 representatives from non-G8 countries, international agencies (such as WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, the Word Bank, etc.), NGOs from different countries, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers gathered there. The importance of partnership between government organizations and NGOs in various areas was highlighted. In the area of health issues, population, reproductive health/rights, and family planning were examined. Regarding community and social development issues, areas including agriculture and environment conservation were discussed. Additionally, the interaction of ministries, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare received critical focus. Japanese NGOs in particular stressed the importance of having linkage between international issues and domestic problems in development work. Ms. Takahashi, representing the Japanese NGO group, spoke up during the conference to emphasize that point.

    OISCA has been working very hard in human resource development, through agriculture and afforestation activities, for the last 40 years. Presently, the international community recognizes health issues, including infectious disease problems, as one of the most serious and critical issues facing the world today. We all need to work together to counter this serious problem. Those of us in the agriculture and afforestation field have been helping people to live healthy lives in some respects. All human beings need pure water and food. They need nutrition for healthy lives and to cure diseases. In other words, "basic human needs" must be met so that people can rise up for the development of their communities. What OISCA has been doing for these past 40 years will have a very important role in the coming century for sure, and partnership with those from various points of view will strengthen our work as development actors.