What's New

■2003 JICA Training Course on Conservation of Wetland Ecosystems and Their Biological Diversity held

From May 26 to July 2, 2003, a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) group training course on the "Conservation of Wetland Ecosystems and Their Biological Diversity," was held with the JICA Hokkaido International Centre (Obihiro) as the administrative institution and the Nature Conservation Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment and the Kushiro International Wetland Centre (KIWC) as the hosting institutions.
In the 2003 course, which is the fifth and final session for this particular course, a curriculum with a wide variety of contents, including an introduction to Japan's administrative practices for nature conservation, practical methods for research and monitoring, as well as experiences in environmental education and eco-tourism, was provided for the eight participants from six countries in South America and Africa who are involved in research and educational institutes related to environmental conservation / nature conservation or mid-level experts working for administrative bodies.
This training course featured opportunities to learn about the diversity of natural environments and methods to conserve them while traveling the length of Japan, from the Okinawa Islands to Hokkaido. Moreover, in the Kushiro area, the generous cooperation received from local people allowed participants to take part in international exchanges through the home visit program set up by local volunteers and the environmental education and global understanding program led by Kushiro Municipal Musa Elementary School.

■Project for participation in the Kushiro Wetland Nature Restoration Congress - Holding of the Kushiro Wetland Eco-Tour

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Ramsar Conference in Kushiro, the Kushiro Marsh Nature Restoration Congress (hosted by the Organizing Committee of the Kushiro Wetland Nature Restoration Congress) was held in Kushiro from June 20 to 22, 2003. KIWC also conducted the Kushiro Wetland Eco-Tour for local citizens on June 15 as a project for participation in the congress. Twenty-five participants, including elementary school students and the elderly, visited forests and wetlands around Lake Shirarutoro on the east side of Kushiro Wetland to enjoy the nature of early summer to the fullest. The programs, in which participants experienced brilliant, lush green leaves, cool and pleasant winds, and the choruses of birds and cicadas through their five senses under the clear blue sky as well as observed the Kushiro River while canoeing, were accepted very favorably by participants who stated "I'm glad I came and would like to participate in this project again."

■Project to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Ramsar Kushiro Conference - Holding of a round-table discussion open to the public: Talk-Talk Kushiro Conference and Party

To commemorate the 5th Ramsar Conference in Kushiro held in 1993, an open round-table discussion aimed at reflecting on the conference and considering how to conserve wetlands in the future was held on July 22, 2003, at the Kushiro Tourism & International Relations Center. Participants exchanged opinions with the two invited speakers: Mr. Lawrence Mason (U.S.), the then vice chairperson of the conference, and Ms. Christine Prietto, the Chair of The Wetlands Centre Australia, which is addressing conservation of the Kooragang Wetland in Australia, a sister wetland of the Ramsar sites in Eastern Hokkaido; and with Dr. Tatsuichi Tsujii, the Chair of the KIWC Technical Committee, as the host.
During the round-table discussion, it was stated that all aspects of citizen participation and cooperation, which greatly helped to make the conference a success, have spread around the world since the conference and are regarded as being important for future Ramsar Conferences.
The discussion attracted approximately 90 participants. At the Party held immediately after the discussion, the video footage that was recorded at the 1993 conference was shown to the public, and nostalgic scenes brought cheers from the audience.

■Holding of the International Workshop on the "Wise Use of Ramsar Wetlands - Focusing on Lagoon Wetlands"

On July 23, 2003, an international workshop for introducing case study examples of how Japan and other countries are endeavoring for wise use of lagoon (brackish-water lake) wetlands and considering future challenges was held at the Kushiro Tourism & International Relations Center. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Ramsar Conference in Kushiro, this workshop was sponsored by the Organizing Committee of the International Workshop on Wise Use of Ramsar Wetlands. KIWC took part in the workshop as an organizing member.
At the workshop with 110 participants from 13 countries primarily in Asia, many case study examples, including the project for wetland restoration at Chilika Lake in India, which received the Ramsar Wetlands Award at the 8th Ramsar Conference, were reported, opinions on conservation and restoration of lagoons and solutions for wise use of natural resources were exchanged, and the results were adopted as the official statement of the workshop.