Emergency Response

We at JPRI are saddened by the tragic consequences of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the northern coast of Japan on March 11th, but also heartened to see that the Japanese people are responding with great courage, dignity, and resilience.

To help fund the emergency response and the long-term recovery efforts that will be needed to rebuild damaged communities, JPRI announces the creation of the JPRI Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Donations to the Fund from JPRI's friends will go to organizations in Japan supporting the relief and recovery efforts that are now being identified by our partners at Give2Asia. Go to the Fund page.

Pacific Rim Service Learning Initiative

JPRI and the Center for the Pacific Rim have launched a Pacific Rim Service Learning Initiative , starting with the appointment of Heather Heistand as inaugural JPRI Fellow in International Service Learning & Development. Heistand directs Panango, a non-profit organization that "strives to facilitate development in Papua New Guinea through education and cultural exchange."

This summer Heistand is leading a service-learning mission to PNG, during which she will provide updates via her blog " Teaching in Papua New Guinea: Notes from the Field ." The blog can be accessed at http://panango2009.blogspot.com/.

Upon her return to the Bay Area she will write a Pacific Rim Report for JPRI and the USF Center for the Pacific Rim, based on her work with Panango. She will also lead efforts to recruit students from University of San Francisco for future service-learning missions to PNG.

We look forward to expanding the Initiative to other parts of the Pacific Rim in the coming months.