SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees acting throughout the Financial Period and up to the date of this report are shown below.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
LEGAL STATUS
Sukyo Mahikari Yoko Forum is founded as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. The CIO was granted its status on 24th August 2016
CHARITY NUMBER 1168897
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
136 Highbury Hill, London N5 1AT
TRUSTEES
Koichiro FUJISAKI Dr Sidney CHANG Paul PETTERSEN Stephen Choo Takahisa KARIYA Kochi OKANO (appointed 29 August 2024)
BANKERS
Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA
EXTERNAL EXAMINER
Tang & Co Swindon, Wiltshire SN25 4ES
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees of Sukyo Mahikari Yoko Forum CIO have the pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2024
Objectives of Sukyo Mahikari Yoko Forum CIO
Sukyo Mahikari Yoko Forum CIO is a charity that promotes the advancement of world peace and the happiness of humankind, and for guiding humanity towards the establishment of a universal civilisation based on a synthesis of religion, science and all other aspects of human endeavour based on the teachings of Sukyo Mahikari. The CIO also makes efforts to nurture young people to aspire and achieve, whilst valuing universal virtues such as gratitude, humility, compassion and helping others. The activities are by invitation and are opened to all members of the public.
Activities
2024 marked the tenth anniversary of the Yoko Forum. The year was highlighted by two major events which continue to have a positive impact on our current and proposed future activities.
The first major event took place in January. This was a meeting jointly organised with Brahma Kumaris at the Brahma Kumaris UK HQ (Global Cooperation House) in West London. The theme of this event was “Reconnecting with Mother nature – The Great Green Wall & Yogic Agriculture ”. The event was introduced by His Excellency Shri Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK. A presentation on Yogic Agriculture was given by Sister Jayanti, Additional Head of the Brahma Kumaris and the other, on the Great Green Wall, by Ody-Marc Duclos, Vice-President of the Green Heart Foundation (Ivory Coast). The Great Green Wall project is a pan-African collaborative project that seeks to halt the desertification in the South Saharan desert by planting a belt of trees across the continent from Senegal to Djibouti.
The Great Green Heart Foundation is an active volunteer-based participant in the Great Green Wall project and is a close international partner to the Yoko Forum. Mr. Duclos’ spoke about the importance of cultivating a ‘spirit of service’ among young people and how this practice can have a positive impact on one’s life and attitude. Many of the people involved in this inspiring meeting, including the chair and discussion moderator, were young people representing the Yoko Forum and Brahma Kumaris. The meeting was attended by approximately 300 participants, in-house and on-line, and was regarded as an outstanding success.
Our second major event was the Tenth Anniversary Yoko Forum Celebration that was held at the Swedenborg Hall, Central London. The theme of this meeting was “The Art of Gratitude – Transforming relationships and communities and expanding our sense of belonging ”. The keynote guest speaker was Dr Kerry Howells (Tasmania, Australia), a highly regarded expert, teacher and author on the practice of gratitude and the profound impact that this practice can have on one’s daily life and on the wider community.
In his welcome address at the Tenth Celebration which was held on 21[st] September, the actual tenth anniversary date of the inauguration of the Yoko Forum in 2014, Dr Sidney Chang, trustee, gave a brief review about the activities of the Yoko Forum spanning ten
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
years, and its aim to help professionals from different backgrounds to find common ground and to help nurture people, especially young people, to become positive and selfless leaders in a society that respects all peoples and nature. Dr Kerry’s talk on gratitude was enthusiastically received and was a revelation to some attendees. Her talk was followed by a very lively panel discussion that included young professional people. It was apt that our tenth anniversary event, focused on the subject of gratitude, took place on World Gratitude Day!
Again, this public meeting was highly successful, and provided a wonderful opportunity to welcome new guests, many from the Interfaith community, and to renew old friendships. There were about 90 participants at this event.
In June, Frank Adams (Luxembourg) returned to the Yoko Forum to run a second workshop dedicated to the concept of the One Pot Garden Practice. The workshop was for young people, especially those with an interest in education. Participants of the workshop included youth from Brahma Kumaris, the Ahmadiyya Moslem Women’s Association, and Sukyo Mahikari. The workshop was followed by a plant-based buffet. The One Pot Gardening Practice is slowly attracting the attention of educators and environmentalists, and the Yoko Forum expects to play a major role in the expansion of this educational activity.
Throughout the year, representatives from the Yoko Forum participated in various meetings and events organized by other organisations including FFTC - Faith For The Climate (their annual Eco Festival at St John’s Church, Waterloo, and a FFTC trustees event), Brahma Kumaris/Interfaith, and the Ahmadiyya Moslem’s Women Association. We also held several closed ‘getting to know you” meetings with representatives from other organisations at the Yoko House.
Achievements
2024 saw a quantum leap in our goal of working with others to help build a more sustainable, bright and positive society where respect for nature, the environment and other people, and a spirit of service, are promoted and re-invigorated. In this respect, we have continued our efforts to nurture a core group of young people, not only those associated with our organisation but also others from other organisations who share our core values and goals.
The year also saw a significant step forward in our efforts to network with others, and we anticipate that this will lead to new collaborations and initiatives. Meanwhile, we continue to build on the cooperation and trust that have slowly been established in recent years.
Financial Review
The Trustees expressed their deep gratitude to their supporters both in the UK and other countries for their continued support.
Income from donations increased to £18,759 compared to the previous year of £13,953. Expenses increased by £5,596 to £18,526 due to higher conference and travel expenses
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 arising from the 10th anniversary actiVTties & COnferenS, and currency exchange losses at year erKI. This resulted in a small Net Surplus of £233 for the year and a Net Surplus of £28,337 carried over to next year. The long-term loan from Sukyo Mahikari Japan remain unchanged at £8,553. It is our intention to ensure sufticient reserves are in Pla to fund our activities for at least three years, to repay back any outstanding loans and to use remaining resources to support more activities compatible to our aims Trustees The charity trustees who served during the year were: Koichiro FUJISAKI Dr Sidney CHANG Stephen CHOO Kochi OKANO (appointed 29 August 2024) Paul PEThERSEN Takahisa KARIYA Signed by Dr Sidney Chang Trustee 25th October 2025
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO members of
On accounts for the year 31/12/24 ended
Charity no 1168897 (if any)
Set out on pages 8 to 1 2
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
We report to the trustees on our examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the CIO”) for the year ended 31/12/2023
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
We report in respect of our examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination, we have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination which gives us cause to believe that in, any material respect,:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 2 5 /10/25 Signed: Tang & Co Name: Tang & Co
Relevant professional Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification(s) or body (if any):
IER
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24 Stadium View Address: Swindon Wiltshire SN25 4ES
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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IER
SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Total | Total | ||
| Notes | |||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||
| Donations | 1 | 18,759 | 13,953 |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCE | 18,759 13,953 | 18,759 13,953 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||
| Legal & Professional | |||
| Administration | 18,526 |
12,930 | |
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 2 | 18,526 | 12,930 |
| NET SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) | 233 | 1,023 | |
| FOR THE PERIOD | |||
| 28,104 | 27,081 | ||
| Fund balances brought forward | |||
| at 1 January 2024 | |||
| Fund balances carried forward | 28,337 | 28,104 | |
| at 31 December 2024 |
The statement of financial activities contains all the gains and losses recognised in the current year, and the result for this period represents the only movement in reserves.
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Notes 2024 2023 FIXED ASSETS Freehold Land & Building 2,750,000 2.750,000 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand 50.012 53.779 Debtors 50,012 53,779 Creditors: amount due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS 13.122 36.890 36,657 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT UABILITIES 2.786,890 2.786,657 FUNDS Endowment Fund 1750.000 2,750,000 General Funds 28,337 28,104 2.778.337 2,778,104 LONG TERM LOAN SUKYO MAHIKARI JAPAN 8.553 TOTAL FUNDS 2,786 890 2 786,657 Approved on betdf of the TnteeS on 25th October 2025 Signed by Signed by Sidney Chang Stephen Choo Trustee TTUStee The notes on pages 10 to 12 forni part rf theso financial statements.
SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1.ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 and applicable accounting standards.
b) Income
Donations are recognised in the year in which they relate, or if the period is not specified by the donor, in the year to which they are received. All income is accounted for on an accrual basis.
c) Direct Charitable Expenditure
Direct charitable expenditure comprises all expenditure incurred which relates directly to the objects of the charity.
d) Administration Expenditure
Costs incurred which relate to the general running of the charity are included under this heading.
e) Funds
The gift of freehold land and building valued at £2.75m from Sukyo Mahikari Japan is treated as an Endowment Fund. All other monetary donations including gift aid are treated as normal donations.
f) Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at 25% per annum with the exception of freehold land and investment properties.
g) Investment Properties
The freehold building that includes the land and building, as stated in the balance sheet, at the valuation of £2.75m is classified as an investment property. This is stated at open market value. There is a commitment to revalue the building periodically and the aggregate surplus or deficit will be transferred to a revaluation reserve. No depreciation is provided on these assets.
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 |
2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ |
£ | |
| 2. TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||
| Total resources expended included the following: | ||
| Legal & Professional Costs | 0 | 0 |
| Utilities | 2,900 | 4,731 |
| Maintenance | 1,777 | 2,273 |
| Council Tax | 3,156 | 2,982 |
| External Examination Fees | 600 | 600 |
| Conferences | 4,327 | 847 |
| Insurance | 1,163 | 1,083 |
| Travel & Correspondence | 2,137 | 494 |
| Bank Charges | 275 | 274 |
| Exchange (gains) / losses | 2,191 | (354) |
The charity does not have any employees
3. FIXED ASSETS
The freehold land and building at 136 Highbury Hill, London N5 1AT was gifted by Sukyo Mahikari Japan and was independently valued at £2.75m on 24[th] April 2017 by Chris Key BSc FRICS, of Warmans Surveying. The property was registered with the Land Registry on 5[th] October 2017. It was confirmed with HMRC that no stamp duty was payable due to the charitable status of the organisation.
The freehold building is classified as an investment property which is not depreciated but is revalued each year at open market value. Any surplus or deficit is transferred to a revaluation reserve. Where a formal independent valuation is not carried out, two of the trustees will carry out this valuation jointly and record their result accordingly in the accounts. As at the balance sheet date, the value of the asset in aggregate was not expected to differ significantly from the 2017 valuation so that no transfer to the revaluation reserve was considered necessary.
Valuation as at 01/01/2024 2,750,000 2,750,000 Revaluation 0 0 Valuation as at 31/12/2024 2,750,000 2,750,000
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SUKYO MAHIKARI YOKO FORUM CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 4. DEBTORS | |||
| Debtors | 0 |
0 | |
| 5. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS DUE WITHIN | 13,122 | 17,122 | |
| ONE YEAR | |||
| 6. CREDITORS : AMOUNTS FALLING DUE MORE | 8,553 | 8,553 | |
| THAN ONE YEAR | |||
| Long Term Loan from Sukyo Mahikari JAPAN | |||
| The long-term loan is for a period of 10 years and is interest | |||
| free. Repayment commences from 5thyear of the loan. Due to | |||
| the current financial situation the Trustees has deferred the | |||
| loan repayment for the time being. |
7. FUNDS
| Endowment | General | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance at 1stJanuary 2024 | 2,750,000 | 28,104 | 2,778,104 |
| Movement in Resources | |||
| Incoming | 18,759 | 18,759 | |
| Outgoing | (18,526) | (18,526) | |
| Balance at 31stDecember 2024 | 2,750,000 | 28,337 | 2,778,337 |
8. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
The trustees did not receive any remuneration and there was no reimbursement of expenses during the year ( £ nil in 2023)
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