In D.R.Congo, which has fertile soil and abundant natural resources such as rare metals (coltan and tantalum), conflicts over these resources have continued. People are also not meeting their basic human needs such as clothing (also medicine), food and shelter, and especially vulnerable people have no means of earning income. Terra Renaissance helps local residents to cope with various risks and become self-reliant by helping them to secure their own food and raise their income through vocational training.

In February 2018, we opened a vocational training center in Pagirinya Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda and launched a self-reliance project for South Sudanese refugees and host communities receiving refugees to support people in extreme poverty. Currently, we offer vocational training in four areas (wood carpentry, tailoring, brick piling, and knitting). Towards the end of the vocational training program, we also offer business classes once a week to help students acquire knowledge and methods of business that are necessary for them to make more income. After eight months of vocational training, they will set up shop outside the center and start their own business.

We provide primary processing technology and small business support for beekeeping, pig farming, and agricultural products to vulnerable groups such as single mothers, conflict victims, and people in extreme poverty in Muramvya, Burundi, so that they can make their own lives. We also provide business training to returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in poverty in Makamba in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In order to prevent new mine and unexploded weapons incidents, we support the removal of explosive war remnants by providing MAG with the operating costs of metal detectors, excavators, and shrubbery removal machines necessary for removal. In addition, in order to enable people living in the area after the removal to achieve independent living, we diversify sources of income, such as home gardening and livestock raising, to create a balance between income and expenditure for each household. At the same time, support for basic education will ensure that children have educational opportunities and that they will be able to move out of the cycle of poverty in the future.

In Laos, Terra Renaissance, Sakanotochu Inc., Kobe University's Sasayama Field Station, and the local agriculture and forestry bureau collaborate with industry, academia, and government to provide technical support for beekeeping, commercialization, construction of a production system, and environmental education for residents living in unexploded weapons-contaminated areas. By developing the traditional beekeeping skills of local villagers, we are working to protect the rich forests and traditional culture while avoiding the danger of unexploded weapons and creating an environment in which they can live in peace.

Terra Renaissance is engaged in policy advocacy activities related to "small arms", which is one of the issues to be addressed. In Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) issued in 2014, we have contributed to the conclusion of the treaty by participating in the Japan Small Arms Action Network (now disbanded) and the Control Arms Japan Campaign (now disbanded), lobbying for the conclusion of the treaty in Japan and participating in negotiation meetings.

We provide a "place" to communicate the facts about conflict and think about what we can do to make the world a conflict-free society. We have given lectures at various places such as educational institutions, public administration training for international understanding, and corporate employee training. Through issues such as landmines and child soldiers, we hope to stimulate the hearts and minds of individuals and give them opportunities to remember their original "wishes" by uncovering them. The world will eventually become a peaceful place.

We have managed the Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We make and sell traditional Japanese handwork "Sashiko" products. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the aim was to secure a source of income for those affected, especially elderly women, and to reduce psychosocial anxiety (psychological care). Now, along with the reconstruction of the town, we continue our activities with the aim of contributing to the town as a small industry.