Fumihiko SAITO is a professor at the Department of Global Studies, Faculty of International Studies, Ryukoku University, Kyoto. Before he joined Ryukoku University, he worked for UN Development Programm (UNDP) in Bangladesh (1988-1990) and Uganda (1990-1993). He long served for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as an advisor on various topics. His book, Decentralization and Development Partnership: Lessons from Uganda, (published in 2003, Tokyo, Springer), received the 2004 Award for Excellent Publication by the Japan Society for International Development. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he has been researching on possible pathways toward more sustainable future in Japan and in the world, particularly with a focus on social and solidarity economy.