Last Updated: 2006.11.01
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Keiko KIYAMA, the secretary general of JEN
Why and how did you start partnership with UNIQLO?
I hear that since September 11, UNIQLO, a company that has been taking an active role in social activities, following the request from its customers asking the company to support Afghan refugees who were in critical conditions. UNIQLO quickly responded by contacting us and donating Warmlite jackets.
Warmlite jacket was popular in Japan because of its lightness and warmth. We believed it would be welcomed in Afghanistan. But in order to avoid “undesired supports” of giving culturally inappropriate goods, UNIQLO proposed to verify the facts with the people in Afghanistan. When we showed the samples to the beneficiaries, we had many positive feedbacks. Hence, we asked UNIQLO to go ahead with the contribution.
Why is JEN supporting Afghan refugees?
For more than 20 years, Afghanistan has been neglected by the international community despite its severe conditions caused by civil war and drought. The internal conflicts have finally been settled, and Afghanistan is currently working towards its reconstruction. To support the country now means not only providing direct and immediate assistance, but more importantly, providing aids so that the country can become self-sufficient in the future.
What do you expect from UNIQLO in the future?
The reason Afghanistan's problems intensified is because the nation has been neglected from the international world. We would like UNIQLO, as an honorable corporate citizen, to provide continuous support so that the nation in order for it to secure social and economical independence. We believe this includes not only economical support, but also mental adherence of coping through the rough times together.
Sadly, there are many more who need support all over the world. But by making Afghanistan support the first step, we wish that UNIQLO will set an example to other organizations. We would like to contemplate together about how NGOs and corporations can join efforts, and actually work collectively towards supporting people in need.
Let's bring about smiling faces to Afghan people and to everybody in this world!
Profile: Keiko Kiyama, Secretary General, NPO "JEN"
In May 1992, Kiyama completed the Master's course in Sociology at the State University of New York, University at Buffalo.
In May 1994, she served as regional representative in the former Yugoslavia for JEN (Japan Emergency NGOs) and managed that organization's refugee assistance program. In July 2000, she became Secretary General of JEN.
Her motto is, "Care for people's hearts and help them to become independent." She is still actively involved in providing assistance for refugees, not only in the former Yugoslavia, but also in places such as Afghanistan. In 2006 she was named "Woman of the Year" by Nikkei Woman magazine.