About us

SHAPLA NEER, a "Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support" have been working as a voluntary international non-governmental organization for 38 years.(go to History)We are one of the oldest NGOs established in Japan. SHAPLA NEER means “House of Waterlilies” in Bengal, the native language of Bangladesh. Shapla (waterlily) is also the national flower of Bangladesh.

Mission

Shaplaneer's　mission is to improve the living conditions of underprivileged communities　in　South Asian countries through domestic and international activities and services that focus on solving current socialeconomic issues.

Organization

The highest decision making body is the General Assembly. The General Assembly meets once a year to elect the members of the board of directors, treasurer, councilors and, decide and approve on the most important issues. Other than the General Assembly, the board members meet once a month to talk about regular management of the organization. Also, council meetings are held twice a year to support and advice board members.

One representative director, ten board members, three treasure, twenty-nine councilors, Forty-one office staff (including 3 part time staffs, 2 internship staffs, 21 local staffs in Bangladesh and Nepal)) and with the help of many many volunteers throughout Japan are working together to manage our daily duty. Also, there are 27 local supporters’ groups run by SHAPLA NEER’s members to run all kinds of events. We are proud of being able to sustain the activities of SHAPLA NEER with the support of many citizens.

Funds

35% of the fund is from membership fee and donations. To maintain the originality of our group as a citizen’s committee, we try not to rely too much on government subsidy or grant from a particular foundation.

Outline

Offitial Title	（Japanese title） 特定非営利活動法人シャプラニール＝市民による海外協力の会 ※Approved Specified Nonprofit CorporationO on September 1st, 2009. （English title） ShaplaNeer=Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support
Location	〒169-8611 Tokyo Shinjuku-ku, Nishi-Waseda 2-3-1 Waseda Houshi Kouen-nai (Map) TEL：03-3202-7863　 FAX：03-3202-4593 E-MAIL：info@shaplaneer.org Closest train stations: Tokyo Metro Tozai Line “Waseda Station”, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line “Nishi-Waseda Station”, JR・Seibu Shinjuku Line “Takadanobaba Station” Operating hours: 10:00～18:00 （Off: Monday, Sunday, Holidays, End-of-year, Beginning-of-year）
Activities	Empowering underprivileged communities Assisting Street Children Assisting young women who work as maids Assisting working children Disaster prevention and structural development in poverty-stricken areas Emergency relief & Reconstruction Selling Fair Trade items Study Tours in Bangladesh & Nepal Seminars & Study Sessions on International Aid Education & Publications on Development Knowledge Sharing Various activities related to those listed above
Chairperson	Toyokazu Nakata
Secretary General	Tetsuo Tsutsui
Staff	Japan: 13 full-time employees, 3 part-time employees Bangladesh: 17 employees (includes 2 resident Japanese employees) Nepal: 6 employees (includes 2 resident Japanese employee)
Established	September 1972
Registered as NPO	August 2001
Headquarters	Tokyo
Membership	2,387 people （as of May 2009） ※Click here for Membership info
Monthly Supporters	858 people （as of May 2009） ※Click here for Monthly Supporter info
Financial Reports	2000年度会計報告(2001年3月期)（PDF） 2001年度会計報告(2002年3月期)（PDF） 2002年度会計報告(2003年3月期)（PDF） 2003年度会計報告(2004年3月期)（PDF） 2004年度会計報告(2005年3月期)（PDF） 2005年度会計報告(2006年3月期)（PDF） 2006年度会計報告(2007年3月期)（PDF） 2007年度会計報告(2008年3月期)（PDF） 2008年度会計報告(2009年3月期)（PDF）
Related Organization	国際協力NGOセンター（JANIC）（理事長） 2008年G8サミットNGOフォーラム（副代表） 日本NPOセンター（副代表理事） 庭野平和財団（南アジアプログラム・アドバイザー） 東京ボランティア・市民活動センター（運営委員） 社会的責任向上のためのNPO/NGOネットワーク（会員） シーズ＝市民活動を支える制度をつくる会（会員） 開発教育協会（会員） 東京都国際交流・協力TOKYO連絡会（委員） JICAバングラデシュPRDP国内支援委員会（委員） NGO-労働組合国際協働フォーラム（委員）
Awards	吉川英治文化賞（1985年） 東京弁護士会人権賞（1989年） 外務大臣特別表彰（1989年） 毎日国際交流賞（1993年） 朝日社会福祉賞（2005年）