Plenary Session

45. The Chair of the Summit, President Komiyama, invited the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Parallel Sessions to report the results of the Sessions to the Plenary. President and Vice-Chancellor Samarasekera, in her summary of Parallel Session A, raised questions for further discussion; to identify both possible obstacles which could hamper the promotion of the network of networks, and concrete tools with which to create feasible and effective NNs. She also highlighted important issues for sustainable development which were not dealt with in the session, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, lifestyle change, agriculture and global health. Rector Profumo then introduced the outcomes of Parallel Session B, drawing attention to the importance of engaging participating universities in a virtual network of information exchange toward the 2009 G8 University Summit and of merging societies of universities and societies of scientific research into a single forum.

46. Rector Konrad Osterwalder of the United Nations University made comments on the overall results of the Sessions. He pointed out that universities should take actions toward global sustainability in co-operation with not only other universities but also with all other entities concerned. He emphasized the responsibility of universities to not only include sustainability in their teaching and research activities, but also to explain the problems and solutions of sustainability to the politicians, the opinion-makers and the general public in their countries and beyond. He stated that UNU feels a strong responsibility to push the discussion of sustainability questions and the taking of measures to prevent disasters at the global level, with the UN and with all the member states.

Adoption of the Declaration

47. The Chair introduced the draft of the Sapporo Sustainability Declaration (tentative name) for participants to discuss and suggest amendments.

48. Participants suggested involving students in the G8 University Summit process, keeping the network of the G8 University Summit open for other universities to join, and asking all Presidents of universities in G8 member nations to deliver the outcome of the Summit to their respective governments, in order to improve understanding before the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

49. Following intensive discussion, the Sapporo Sustainability Declaration, amended as appropriate, was adopted unanimously.

Summary by the Chair

50. President Komiyama congratulated participants on the successful conclusion of the first G8 University Summit and summarized the meeting as follows:

• It is time for us to take action, both in terms of our own initiatives such as sustainable campus projects and co-experiments with society, and by working with society and policy makers on their own initiatives;
• He stated his conviction that universities have a very strong potential for becoming a driving engine for social movements, utilizing their advantage of political neutrality; and
• He proposed that the University of Tokyo serve as a tentative secretariat for the process to establish the NNs. The proposal was welcomed by the participants.

The Presidents unanimously supported the Chair’s proposal to produce a Chair’s Summary document detailing the proceedings of the summit.

2009 G8 University Summit Meeting

51. The Presidents welcomed the proposal by Rector Francesco Profumo on behalf of the Conference of the Rectors of Italian Universities to hold the next G8 University Summit on the occasion of the 2009 G8 Summit to be held in Italy.

Closing

52. The Presidents of G8 member nations expressed their appreciation for the participation and invaluable contributions of the invited universities at the G8 University Summit.

53. The participants acknowledged and expressed their appreciation for the work of the Organising Committee of Japanese universities, in providing a valuable opportunity for the Presidents of leading universities to share their views on sustainability on the occasion of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. They also expressed their high expectations that universities all over the world would endorse the declaration and take actions appropriate to their respective countries and regions.

54. President Saeki of Hokkaido University expressed his gratitude to all participants for visiting Hokkaido and the city of Sapporo, on behalf of the local citizens and institutions.

55. President Komiyama reiterated that the output of the Summit should be an important input into the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit and mentioned that he would hand the Declaration to Prime Minister Fukuda of Japan, who will chair the Toyako Summit Meeting.

Appendices

A. List of the Participants
B. Sapporo Sustainability Declaration