On 5th June 2017, the Secretary General of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, attended a Director’s meeting at Arigatou International Tokyo, Japan. Arigatou International Tokyo officials and Directors from the four Arigatou initiatives converged to analyze the outcomes of the GNRC 5th Forum held on May 2017 with the theme, Ending Violence Against Children: Faith Communities in Action.

It was noted that great progress was realized through the Fifth Forum including: the generation of the Declaration on Ending Violence Against Children, growth in partnership relations and an increase in GNRC members. Global leaders also got to understand to dynamics of violence through the children’s eyes. The Fifth Forum was attended by more than five hundred faith leaders from 70 countries, joined by 64 children, representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, to solemn commit to ending violence against children.

The directors’ meeting also discussed ways of enhancing the Community Online Platform and Monitoring and Evaluation of the commitments made during the Forum. Ways to encourage child rights and peace education in communities so that everyone can be an instrument of change was also discussed. The meeting also resolved to strengthen and support interfaith initiatives for countering violence against children.

The trip to Tokyo was a period for Arigatou International members and staff to celebrate the life lived by the late Mr. Shozo Fujita. Mr. Fujita in his lifetime worked so hard to promote children’s rights and well-being across the world. His kind and gentle spirit, his complete devotion, and his wonderful example represented the practice and discipline of true workmanship.