UNU Global Seminar |
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Water, Environment and The Economy |
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Objectives
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The United Nations University (UNU) Global Seminars are aimed at deepening understanding among students and young professionals of pressing issues that are the concern of the United Nations, its peoples and member states. Annual seminars are held at seven locations throughout Japan. The Hokkaido Session, organized under the theme "Water, Environment and The Economy," will be held at Hokkaido University in Sapporo. In recent times, environmental issues involving water, the environment and the economy are recognized as being fundamentally important. Despite this awareness, water-related problems include the fact that about one third of the world's population does not have access to safe drinking water. Another issue on the international agenda is the need to lower infant mortality rates in developing countries; doing so is related to expanded provision of water and sewer services. Problems also include wetlands protection as well as the pollution of oceans, rivers, lakes and marshes. Likewise, balancing water resources development and dam construction with environmental conservation is a serious challenge. Finally, bottled water is a major import in developed countries in response to feelings of insecurity over the quality of local water supplies. Overall, it is crucial that such problems be addressed. Under the general theme of "Water, Environment, and The Economy," topics to be addressed in this seminar include: water-related problems in developing countries; land and sea pollution; the development and conservation of ocean resources; the safety of the water environment and watershed management; water use issues in Hokkaido; effective use of water resources by industry; and challenges facing communities over water resources management and attempts at consensus building. With lectures and discussions incorporating an integrative perspective, participants will be able to develop a comprehensive approach towards water-related issues. The seminar brings together UNU officials as well as distinguished scholars and practitioners from countries such as Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. In addition to giving lectures, these specialists will engage in an active exchange with the participants throughout the four-day seminar. As is the case with the other UNU Global Seminars, lectures will be given in either English or Japanese. Interested members of the public are cordially invited to attend the keynote speeches. We welcome applications from those interested in issues of global concern or planning to pursue an international career. This seminar will provide an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge and to sharpen your analytical and discourse skills through an active dialogue with the lecturers and participants.
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Advisory Committee
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| Prof. Mutsuo Nakamura | President, Hokkaido University |
| Prof. Noriaki Murayama | President, Hokkaido University of Education |
| Prof. Yoshiaki Akiyama | President, Otaru University of Commerce |
| Prof. Nobuo Kumamoto | President, Hokkai Gakuen University |
| Prof. Hiroshi Ohtomo | President, Hokusei Gakuen University |
| Mr. Seiji Izumi | Chairman, Hokkaido Economic Federation |
| Mr. Nagamitsu Nishio | President, The Federation of Hokkaido Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| Mr. Yoshihiro Ohmori | Co-chairman, Hokkaido Committee for Economic Development |
| Mr. Masanao Takei | President, Hokkaido Employers Association |
| Hokkaido Government | |
| City of Sapporo | |
| Prof. Yoichi Kaya | President, International EMECS Center |
| Prof. Akiko Yamanaka | Visiting Professor, United Nations University |
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Programme Committee
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| Prof. Shoichi HORI | Hokkai Gakuen University (Chairperson) |
| Mr. Masashi BABA | Hokkaido Economic Federation |
| Prof. Hiroshi KAWAI | Kobe University Research Center for Inland Seas |
| Mr. Yoshiaki NAKABAYASHI | Director of Administration, Hokkai-Gakuen University |
| Prof. Keisuke NOMOTO | Hokusei Gakuen University |
| Prof. Kazuko OTSU | Hokkaido University of Education |
| Prof. Hiroki YAGI | Otaru University of Commerce |
| Prof. Fumikazu YOSHIDA | Hokkaido University |
| Prof. Akiko YAMANAKA | United Nations University |
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Seminar Programme
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| 8/27 Wed |
Opening Keynote lectures (Public lectures) Lecture 1 "The Global Environment and Preventing Global Warming" Motoyuki SUZUKI Lecture 2 "Water Quality Management and Resource Conservation in the World’s Major Seas" Bengt-Owe JANSSON Orientation Reception |
| 8/28 Thu |
((AM)) Session A "Safe Water and International Cooperation:The Problem of Water in Developing Countries" Lecture 1 : Srikantha HERATH
((PM))
Guidance for those wishing to work in the United Nations system |
| 8/29 Fri |
((AM)) Session C: Panel Discussion "Local Water, Economy and Business: Fostering Water Entrepreneurship" - Panel: Masahiro SASAKI Panel: Kinsaku HASHI Panel: Erdal OZHAN
((PM)) Group discussion |
| 8/30 Sat |
((AM)) Group Presentations Closing Ceremony Farewell Lunch |
| (Programme contents may differ slightly depending on circumstances.) |
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Lecturers (in order of presentations)
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| Prof. Motoyuki SUZUKI Former Vice-Rector, Special Programme Advisor, UNU |
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| Prof. Bengt-Owe JANSSON Professor Emeritus, Stockholm University |
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| Dr. Srikantha HERATH Senior Academic Programme Officer, Environment and Sustainable Development, UNU |
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| Prof. Wayne H. BELL Director, Environment and Society, Washington College |
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| Dr. Saburo HIGASHI Leader, Private Studio of Silviculture |
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| Ms. Ayako FUJII Exective Director, Environmental Co-op Union Shiga |
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| Dr. Tatsuichi TSUJII President, Hokkaido Environment Foundation |
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Panelists
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| Mr. Masahiro SASAKI President, Office Nord Elan |
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| Mr. Kinsaku HASHI President, ECONIXE Co., Ltd |
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| Prof. Erdal ÖZHAN Chairman, MEDCOAST, Middle East Technical University |
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