Building an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world.
American Friends of
Asian Rural Institute
(AFARI)
Our mission is to promote sustainable community development practices that inspire people around the world to live in environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful ways. We accomplish this by:
Providing direct support for the Asian Rural Institute (ARI),
Building the capacity of ARI graduates
“We are investing in persons who will dedicate their whole life to sustain life for the future. I think it’s a valid investment, and a lasting investment, in persons who will work as leaders for the people.”
— Rev. Dr. Tom Takami, Founder of ARI
Asian Rural Institute
The mission of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. ARI achieves its goals by inviting trusted local leaders from around the world to study at its campus in Japan. Through community-based learning rooted in agriculture, ARI participants and staff study the best ways for rural people to share and enhance local resources and abilities for the common good.
Community of Learning
ARI runs the Rural Leaders Training Program annually on its campus in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 20 leaders participate each year from many countries globally. Because their talents and home-community needs shift the curriculum each year, ARI refers to them as “participants” in the life of the school, rather than as students.
Foodlife
At the core of the Rural Leaders Training Program is the concept of Foodlife. Encompassing more than just producing food to alleviate hunger, Foodlife emphasizes the value of sharing healthy food sustainably. It stresses the importance of making the best use of locally available resources and leads toward the development of vibrant self-reliant communities. Together, staff, participants and volunteers produce most of the food consumed on the ARI campus.
Servant Leadership
The Asian Rural Institute practices servant leadership, which calls for a life of sharing with people from around the world. Everyone participates equally in all aspects of running the school and farm, approaching daily life, chores and work as part of community life. Servant leadership inspires ARI’s motto, “that we may live together.”
