The Satoyama Initiative and the Green Economy (Rio+20 Side Event)

A side event on “The Satoyama Initiative and the Green Economy” was held on 18 June 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This event was co-organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and the Secretariat of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). Kazuhiko Takemoto (Senior Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of the Environment, Japan/Director, IPSI Secretariat) introduced the Satoyama Initiative to the audience in his opening remarks. UNU Vice-Rector Kazuhiko Takeuchi then delivered a keynote address on “Developing a Green Economy: The Role of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes (SEPLs)”. He identified key points needed to move towards a society in harmony with nature, and to transition to a Green Economy. The keynote address was followed by four presentations and a panel discussion, moderated by Professor Takeuchi. 1) Dr. Yannick Glemarec (Executive Coordinator UNDP-GEF/Director of Environment Finance, Energy and Environment Group, Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP) discussed “Investing in Community-Based Resilience of SEPLs”. 2) Mr. Kazuaki Hoshino (Advisor to Environment Minister of Japan) spoke about “Socio-Economic Activities in SEPLs: Japan’s Experience”. 3) Dr. Tony Simons (Director General, World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF) talked about “Tree Landscapes of the Future”. 4) Mr. Makoto Nagasawa (President and CEO, Fruta Fruta, Inc.) discussed “Realization of Green Economy through ‘Agroforestry Marketing’”. In the subsequent question and answer session, emphasis was placed on rights (both in terms of ownership of land and of access to resources) and the critical importance of cultural influences in the sustainable management of certain landscapes. See the Satoyama Initiative website for more information about this Rio+20 side event, including downloadable PDF files of the keynote address and presentations. For personal reflections by Mr. Kazuhiko Takemoto on the side event, please read more here.

Tanabata (七夕－Star Festival) Celebration at UNU-IAS

With the kind donation of bamboo paper by Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd, we celebrated Tanabata, a traditional star festival, by writing our wishes and decorating with origami paper. The pieces of bamboo paper were produced from sustainably managed bamboo forests, and were hanged on bamboo, which was brought by Mr. Wataru Suzuki, IPSI Deputy Director, from satoyama close to his house.

Snapshots from the Rio+20 Satoyama Initiative Side Event

Satoyama Initiative Panel Discussion to be held at ISAP2012

On 24-25 July 2012, the Fourth International Forum on Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP2012) will be held in Yokohama, Japan. The Forum will focus around the four themes of resilience, climate change, green economy and Rio+20 follow-up. Under the resilience theme, the Satoyama Initiative will hold a parallel session titled “The Satoyama Initiative and Resilience - Pathways to a sustainable society”. Registration has begun and all ISAP2012 plenary sessions will be available internationally via a live webcast in English and Japanese.

Latest News Submitted by IPSI Members

Training Programme held by IPSI Member M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation organized a 17-day Vacation Training Programme (VTP-2012) for students who appeared for class X examination in the year 2012 from the State. This programme was organized as part of the nationwide initiative by the Dept of Biotechnology, Government of India for promoting nature awareness in the student community. This programme is intended to attract students to a science led career and equip them to come up with innovative processes and practices that enable an environment for sustainable utilisation of bioresources. For a full report and photos, continue here. IPSI Member to hold Workshop at IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) Dr. Sun-Kee Hong, (Institution for Marine and Island Cultures (MIC), Mokpo National University, Republic of Korea) has submitted a motion to the IUCN titled "Strengthening Biocultural Diversity and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Asia-Pacific Island Regions". Dr. Hong will also hold a related workshop during IUCN World Conservation Congress 2012 (10 Sept. 17:00~18:30, Room 202), including Dr. Luisa Maffi, who will present a paper as the workshop’s keynote speaker.