Major Activities

To promote the development of cooperation networks transcending national and regional boundaries, the KIWC hosts international conferences, workshops and training programs to provide opportunities to exchange information and skills for wetland conservation and others activities.

The 7th IMCG Field Symposium in Japan
August 25 to September 6, 1996

The International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) is an international NGO consisting of experts from more than 20 countries (primarily European nations), who are interested in wetland conservation. The IMCG Field Symposium is held biennially and the 7th symposium was held in Kushiro. During this symposium, experts participating from around the world presented case examples and research findings in their own countries. They also visited Ramsar sites in eastern Hokkaido to discuss the conservation of wetlands and their ecosystems.

International Workshop on Ramsar Site Management Involving the Local Community March 2 to 5, 1998

This workshop was held as part of the activities of a working group established in response to Recommendation 6.3 of the 6th Meeting of the Ramsar Conference of the Contracting Parties (Brisbane, 1996), which called for the involvement of local and indigenous people in the management of Ramsar sites. During the workshop, case examples of the participation of local communities in wetland management were examined based on actual cases in the Asia-Oceania region. The working group members and specialists discussed a draft of the criteria and guidelines for the participation of local and indigenous people in wetland management － a draft resolution to be presented at the 7th Ramsar Conference. Case examples from Japan were also presented during the “Japan Day” event to be reflected in the draft. The accomplishments were presented to the 7th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties, held in Costa Rica in Central America in May 1999, and was adopted as Resolution VII. 8 “Guidelines for establishing and strengthening local communities’ and indigenous people’s participation in the management of wetlands.”

UNITAR / KIWC Training Workshop for the Asia-Pacific Region on the Implementation of Multilateral Agreements Related to Biological Diversity
September 13 – 19, 1998; August 28 – September 2, 1999, March 23 – 29, 2001

This workshop was organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, UNESCO and other related organizations, to promote the implementation of environmental treaties and international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Heritage Convention and the Ramsar Convention. The primary target of this workshop was government administrators in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in developing nations. This workshop aims to help participants acknowledge the necessity of international laws and clarify specific methods to implement multilateral treaties related to biological diversity in their own countries by closely examining the provisions of these agreements.

JICA Training Course in Wetland Conservation and Protection of Migratory Birds (1994 – 1998)

This training course, organized by the JICA Hokkaido International Centre (Obihiro), targeted experts responsible for wetland conservation and waterfowl protection in developing nationsin Asia. The KIWC and the Wildlife Division of the Nature Conservation Bureau of the Environment Agency of Japan supported this program by accepting participants. This training course aimed at raising awareness of participants on the conservation of wetland resources and the protection of migratory birds in their respective countries and at transferring knowledge and skills for the conservation of wetlands and their ecosystems at local levels as well as for the wise use of natural resources. Another objective of this training was the promotion of international cooperation projects which are in compliance with the objectives of the Ramsar Convention. Some of the participants of this training course attended the Ramsar Conferences and other international meetings as representatives of their countries.

JICA Training Course for Conservation of Wetland Ecosystems and Their Biological Diversity (since 1999)

This training course, organized by the JICA Hokkaido International Centre (Obihiro), targets experts responsible for the conservation of wetlands and their biological diversity in developing nations in Africa, East Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific region. The KIWC and the Wildlife Division of the Nature Environment Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan have supported this program by accepting participants. This training intends to help participants become aware of the necessity of the wise use of natural wetland resources and the conservation of biological diversity based on the Ramsar Convention philosophy. It also encourages the participants to play a leading role in promoting conservation activities at the national / local level.

JICA Training Course in Management / Administration and Wise Use of Natural Parks (Ecotourism) (from 1998)

This training, organized by the JICA Hokkaido International Centre (Obihiro), targets government officials responsible for the management, administration and wise use of natural parks and ecotourism in Asia. The KIWC supports this program by accepting participants. In this training, participants learn about the management / administration and use of natural parks (ecotourism) in eastern Hokkaido (Taisetsuzan, Akan, Kushiro-shitsugen and Shiretoko national parks) and are introduced to their distinctive management / administration systems and related challenges. Practical training of this program aims to transfer to participants ideas, skills and methods regarding the management and use of these parks, various eco-tour programs (horseback hiking, nature hiking, canoeing, river watching, etc.) as well as skills for examining spring water, wetlands and wildlife.