Vcil Community advocates for a shift towards a regenerative and well-being-oriented society through alternative education and social innovation. During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation connected with Japanese members and learned from local businesses, practitioners, and financial institutions that are putting common-good values into practice. The exchange reflected the shared commitment of both groups to rethinking economic systems in ways that serve people, communities, and the planet.
A key part of the programme focused on Japan’s growing ECOnGOOD network, which began taking shape in April 2024 and now brings together business consultants, entrepreneurs, bankers, and practitioners. The Vietnamese visitors took part in a workshop led by Noriaki Ikeda, translator and founder of the Japanese group, exploring the relationship between Ikigai and the Economy for the Common Good. The discussion also opened up reflections on how the Common GOOD Matrix can be understood and adapted within East Asian contexts.
The delegation also met with Hiroyuki Egami, former banker and co-founder of Japanese Practitioner on Banking Values (JPBV), a community promoting value-based banking. Further visits introduced the group to examples of cooperative and social finance, including Seibu Shinkin, a financial cooperative owned by local businesses and residents, and Japan’s Labour Banks (Rokin), whose social finance model supports community-centred mutual aid and social-impact organisations.
These encounters offered concrete examples of how finance and business can be redesigned to support sustainability, social justice, and strong local relationships. The exchange between the Vietnamese local chapter and the Japanese national association created new opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge sharing, while also highlighting the potential for the ECOnGOOD organisation to continue growing across Asia.
