2018/4/2, Hakusan
Report on the International Workshop Shiramine 2018: “University Education for Mountain UNESCO Eco-Parks Created with Diverse Stakeholders”
Date: March 31, 2018 (Saturday) 14:00 – 16:30
Location: “Yohei” – a traditional farmhouse built in the Edo period (NPO Shiramine Nature School)
Co-Organizers:
- United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Ishikawa-Kanazawa Operating Unit (UNU-IAS OUIK)
- NPO Shiramine Nature School
- Hakusan UNESCO Eco-Park Council
- Kanazawa University International Institute
Cooperation: Ishikawa Prefectural Hakusan Nature Conservation Center
The International Workshop Shiramine 2018 was held with a total of 24 participants, featuring Scottish mountain researcher Martin Price (who visited Japan from March to April 2018 as a Short-Term Foreign Research Fellow from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, hosted by the Tsukuba University Mountain Science Center).
14:00-14:10 Introduction (Venue Explanation)
At the beginning of the workshop, the coordinator, Yoshihiko Iida from the UNU-IAS OUIK, provided an introduction to the workshop’s purpose. He raised the question of how to develop human resources activities (especially university education), which is one of the three functions of UNESCO Eco Parks, in collaboration with various stakeholders. Following this, Mr. Takashi Yamaguchi from the co-hosting organization, the Shiramine Nature School, introduced the venue, “Yohei,” a traditional house built in the Edo period, along with the activities of the nature school.
14:10-14:50 Mini Lecture: “Introduction to Scotland’s UNESCO Eco-Parks and Activities of the University of the Highlands and Islands”
Martin Price (Professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands) presented examples of Scotland’s UNESCO Eco-Parks, including the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, which supports branding for livestock and fishery products using local logos, and the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, designated for its integrated mountain and coastal landscapes.
Additionally, there was an introduction to the University of the Highlands and Islands, which is a unique institution in the UK. It operates as a partnership of 13 institutions, including nine vocational training colleges and three specialist training schools in fisheries, Celtic culture, and theology, as well as a marine science research center. The university primarily conducts online distance education programs, with most students coming from Scotland, including many working professionals aged 30 and over. Research is also being conducted focusing on the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere. From 2017 to 2020, with support from the EU, a project promoting sustainable ecotourism was implemented in collaboration with sites in Scotland, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland.
14:50 – 15:50: Case Presentations
To provide insights from the Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, Ms. Erika Takasaki (Secretary of the Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark Council) introduced its characteristics, history of registration, and operational structure, as well as network activities with UNESCO Eco-Parks and affiliated entities domestically and internationally.
Next, Mr. Norimasa Toga, presented on the initiatives of the Ishikawa Prefectural Hakusan Nature Conservation Center, explaining the overview of alpine zone monitoring conducted as part of the Ministry of the Environment’s Monitoring Site 1000. He also highlighted wildlife monitoring activities conducted at the Bunao Mountain Observation Building since 1981, as well as volunteer collaboration efforts for invasive plant removal and monitoring changes since 2004. Mr. Koji Ogawa then shared the long-term monitoring activities of the snowfield at Senjagaike on the summit of Mount Hakusan, ongoing since 1981, showcasing changes over the years.
Ms. Aida Mamadova (Kanazawa University International Institute) introduced Kanazawa University’s regional learning initiatives conducted at the International Center since 2015, discussing the significance of education from the perspective of biocultural diversity and the outcomes of student education in a camp format within local communities. She noted that while international students show significant interest, Japanese students tend to show less engagement, presenting this as a challenge. Additionally, the status of four UNESCO Eco-Parks in Russia was introduced, along with future plans for student exchange programs with Russia.
15:50 – 16:30: Discussion
In the discussion session, participants aimed to deepen interaction. Representatives from the Ministry of the Environment’s Hakusan Conservation Office, NPO Kan Hakusan Protection and Management Association, Tsukuba University Mountain Degree Program, Kanazawa University Noto Campus (Noto Satoyama Satoumi Meister Training Program), Mie University Future Earth program, Hakusan Tedori River Geopark Promotion Council, and Aeon Environmental Foundation shared brief overviews of their activities and comments related to university education, the theme of the workshop.
Participants expressed that university education plays a significant role as an entry point for understanding nature conservation efforts and local realities, along with expectations for universities as research institutions. The presence of university representatives from Tsukuba, Kanazawa, and Mie universities underscored the importance of grassroots connections between universities across regions.
Finally, Mr. Hiromasa Yamashita (Secretary General of the Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark / Secretary General of the Hakusan Tedori River Geopark Promotion Council) delivered closing remarks as a co-organizer.
We would like to extend special thanks to Mr. Daniel Heliot (Coordinator for International Relations, City of Hakusan) for his exceptional assistance with interpreting for Martin Price throughout the event.
Report by: Yoshihiko Iida (Research Associate, UNU-IAS OUIK / Advisor to the Hakusan UNESCO Eco-Park Council)
