Sunday, November 9, 2008
1:30 - 4:30pm
Bunkyo Civic Hall
(1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)

Organized by: The Goi Peace Foundation
Supported by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)
Co-sponsored by: SUJAHTA MEIRAKU GROUP, Johnson & Johnson K.K.,
SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION, Pasona Group Inc.,
Coca-Cola (Japan) Company Limited, Ichikawa Kankyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

Philanthropy around the world has entered a period of unprecedented and transformational change. Leading international business entrepreneurs are increasingly focusing their attention on addressing global challenges and improving people’s lives. With the aim of changing the world for the better, they are reinventing philanthropy the way they reinvented business, finding innovative solutions to produce the greatest possible social impact. At the same time, more and more citizens are taking part in grassroots philanthropy through new online systems which connect people with projects worldwide.

In this forum, we will explore the “new culture of giving” which is becoming a major force for creating a New Civilization.

PROGRAM

■Goi Peace Award Ceremony and Commemorative Address / Bill Gates
The Goi Peace Award is presented annually to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world for all life on earth. The 2008 Goi Peace Award will be presented to Bill Gates, founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

[Bill Gates]
Bill Gates was born in 1955 in Seattle, Wash., USA. He founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975 and led the company to become the worldwide leader in business and personal computer software, services, and solutions. In late June 2008, he transitioned out of his day-to-day role at Microsoft to dedicate more of his time to his philanthropic work.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he founded in 2000, works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. The foundation has given $16.5 billion in grants since its inception, has an endowment of $37.3 billion (as of March 31, 2008), and supports work in more than 100 countries.

■Talk Session “Philanthropy and the Future of Mankind”
How can all sectors of society work in partnership to make lasting change in the world? Participants will discuss creative strategies for the advancement of the human family.

Panelists:

Bill Gates (Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Masami Saionji (Chairperson, The Goi Peace Foundation)
Hiroo Saionji (President, The Goi Peace Foundation)

Guest:

William H. Gates Sr. (Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)

■Voice of Youth “My project to create positive change in my environment”
The winners of the 2008 International Essay Contest for Young People chosen from among 4,711 entries from 137 countries will present their innovative ideas and projects to foster sustainable development in their communities.

■Closing Ceremony ”Prayers for All Life on Earth”

*Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation available.