JCI President Meets Japan's Prime Minister

During this historic meeting, they exchanged views on creating better leaders to create better societies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2005

JCI (Junior Chamber International) President Kevin Cullinane from Ireland and Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met in Tokyo on Monday, July 25, to advance JCI’s non-political agenda to create better leaders in order to create better societies. They covered such diverse topics as the recent bombings in London and Egypt, global warming and climate change, economic developments in mainland China, and the challenges facing young leaders and entrepreneurs, the constituency of JCI worldwide.

Cullinane was joined at the summit by JCI Secretary General Edson A. Kodama from Brazil, a distant relative of the Japanese Prime Minister; JCI Japan President Kazuaki Takatake; and JCI Japan Secretary General Shuichi Mizuno. JCI Alumnus Taro Aso, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communication, also took part in the meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s offices in downtown Tokyo.

Global Morality and Ethics

"I raised the important issue of global morality and ethics in light of recent atrocities around the globe, including London, Egypt and Baghdad, which require a pan national response," said JCI President Cullinane referring to recent terrorist attacks. This issue was also in line with the theme of this year's JCI Leadership Academy in Japan, which called for a "Global Standard of Morality."

Having been in London on July 7, the day of the terrorist attacks, Cullinane spoke of the horror and carnage they caused. He cited the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement in 1998 as an example of how democratic means could be used to end conflicts of political, religious and ethnical diversity, an agreement he had also mentioned during his official visits to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka the previous week.

Cullinane added that, as a non governmental, non-profit organization, JCI is also committed to achieving the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals.

Business Globalization

Prime Minister Koizumi, upon learning of Cullinane's professional occupation as International Marketing Manager for Heineken’s Irish beers, Murphy’s Irish Stout and Murphy’s Irish Red Beer, confessed he enjoys a Heineken himself on the rare occasion he has a weekend off. President Cullinane cited this as an excellent example of the growing business globalization, which could be seen as a unique business opportunity or as a threat.

Environment

Commenting on the recent heat wave in his native Ireland, Cullinane expressed JCI’s commitment to environmental concerns. “JCI has been committed to protect the environment long before the environment was politically fashionable and we will continue to be advocates for positive environmental change,” he told the Japanese Prime Minister.

Other Matters

Answering a direct question in relation to mainland China, Cullinane said that JCI has enjoyed long and positive relationships in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and continues to work in partnership with the All China Youth Federation to advance common areas of interest for young business leaders and entrepreneurs in the areas of international affairs, business networking, individual development, and community projects.

Prime Minister Koizumi and President Cullinane discussed ways to create better leaders to create better societies. “Young people today need to look forward to a brighter future,” said Cullinane. “JCI provides a unique network for young business people and entrepreneurs to meet, learn and grow.”

“It was a friendly and cordial meeting," reported Cullinane. "The Prime Minister expressed his admiration for the role JCI has played and is playing in global events, recognizing that JCI is contributing to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young business leaders and entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 40 years, to develop the leadership skills, social entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change."

For photos, please go to

http://www.jci.cc/members/gallery/2060/view_album.php?set_albumName=albun62

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About JCI

JCI (Junior Chamber International) is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs with nearly 200,000 active JCI members and millions of JCI alumni. JCI members contribute to the advancement of the global community by creating positive changes in over 5,000 communities in more than 100 nations worldwide.

JCI members lead projects in the areas of Business, Individual, Community, and International Development. They meet, learn and grow. By participating in various projects, meetings, seminars and events around the globe, JCI members grow personally and professionally, developing the entrepreneurial and leadership skills needed to generate positive changes in their communities, their countries, and the world.

For more information, please visit www.jci.cc.

Contact:

Gladys S. Gist

JCI Senior Communications Director

ggist@jci.cc
http://www.jci.cc
1-954-441-2672