Presentations, Discussion and Results of the Summit

Parallel Session A: "New scientific knowledge and international network to support global sustainability"

15.The Chair of Session A, President Saeki, opened the session and invited the Presidents of the five universities participating in the session to present their views on the issues of “new scientific knowledge on global sustainability” and the “network of networks (NNs).”

16. President Takehiko Sugiyama of Hitotsubashi University explained that the university, which has been playing a prominent role in conducting social-scientific research on environmental issues, is currently promoting interdisciplinary and international research projects on the basis of a long-term strategy and a mid-term plan, particularly focusing on East Asia. He proposed supporting joint research into environmental problems from a social science perspective, and establishing programs to strengthen multifaceted and multi-layered networks among institutions.

17. Vice-Rector Guido Chelazzi of the Università degli Studi di Firenze mentioned that his university is very active in the building of a European “knowledge-based” society through, for example, joining international research networks within the European Framework Programmes. He also called for a stronger national policy for scientific research and higher education in order to improve the capacity of the university to trigger innovation in the regional production system toward sustainable development.

18. Professor Peter Guthrie, Director of the Centre of Engineering for Sustainable Development of the University of Cambridge pointed out that universities are faced with unprecedented levels of concern at the highest political levels about the urgency for action to tackle climate change, and that a key challenge for science and technology is the shortening of the period between discovery and implementation, which may bring about unintended but in many cases adverse consequences. He mentioned that the University of Cambridge understands these challenges and seeks to play a role through, for example, close co-operation with academic institutions domestically as well as internationally. He also referred to his university’s close working links with industry and policy makers.

19. Mr. Donald Filer, Director of the Office of International Affairs of Yale University, explained that his university has embarked on a wide array of initiatives to advance the science and model the practice of sustainability under President Richard C. Levin’s leadership. These initiatives include establishing its goal of emissions reductions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and an Office of Sustainability, as well as co-operating with other universities worldwide in sharing best practices and setting reduction targets of GHGs. He emphasized that the process of achieving these emission reduction goals by the universities demonstrates that any organization can achieve significant reductions with manageable costs.

20. Executive Vice-President and Provost Jianhua Lin of Peking University introduced China’s Challenges of sustainable development and roles and activities of his university, including Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and the Surrounding Region (CAREBEIJING) to formulate policy suggestions for air quality attainment during the 2008 Olympic Games, long–term research on endangered species and landscape conservation in Western China not only to conserve biodiversity but also to encourage sustainable lifestyles, building a sustainable campus as a model for society, and enhancing domestic and global cooperation. He emphasized that his university is eager to cooperate with international partners in relevant studies for the benefit of all entities involved. 

21. Following these presentations, President Akihisa Inoue of Tohoku University, President Kenichi Iga of Tokyo Institute of Technology, and President Kiyofumi Kawaguchi of Ritsumeikan University introduced relevant activities from their universities, and emphasized the importance of approaching global environmental issues not only from the natural sciences but also from the social sciences.

22. Participants engaged in discussions based on the presentations made in the first part of the session, highlighting several key conclusions:

• Regarding undergraduate study, the advantage of a case-based teaching approach compared to a discipline-based approach is that it can provide room for creativity in the curriculum. One possibility is to give teaching programs more depth and breadth, for example by extending the length of degree programmes by one year.
• To develop interaction between scholars and policymakers, there is an important role to be played by independent scientific advisors to governments, who have an academic base and are encouraged to challenge policy.
• In order to inform and promote public debate, public lectures and symposiums should be promoted.

23. The Vice-Chair of Session A, President and Vice-Chancellor Samarasekera, invited the Presidents of the five universities participating in the second part of the session to make their presentations.

24.President Jun-ichi Nishizawa of Tokyo Metropolitan University warned that it is necessary for us to show the superiority of our intellect and that we must evade the global crisis caused by climate change. He re-emphasized the risks of not reducing our heavy reliance on fossil fuels in the current industrial system.

25. Professor Kripa Shanker, Deputy Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, emphasized that education is a key instrument for bringing about changes in knowledge, values, behaviours and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability. He also mentioned that scientific knowledge should be translated to provide implementable solutions which are understandable by all. He further noted that interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral approaches should be promoted by means of collaborative scientific efforts; national, regional and international networking, systems analysis tools and telecommunication technologies will play a very important role.

26.President Jang-Moo Lee of Seoul National University reiterated that the creation of a sustainable society signifies the pursuit of development that simultaneously satisfies the need and want for the development of human abilities, economic vitality, social equality and environmental conservation. He introduced the approach of his university, which includes specialized student selection processes, developing technologies and integrated research for sustainability. He expressed his hope that these efforts will be shared by the universities attending the Summit, and will lead to further international co-operation.

27. Vice Chancellor and Principal Ihron L. Rensburg of the University of Johannesburg expressed his concern that Africa has been marginalized from the expansion in scientific knowledge induced by globalization. He emphasized that integrating Africa into the global body of scientific knowledge is important for the world and his country, and that universities have a critical responsibility in this regard. He introduced several activities undertaken by South African universities and pointed out that mutually beneficial strategic partnerships and knowledge networks between Africa and international partners, in which the University of Johannesburg will become a hub, are pivotal for the successful implementation of their initiatives and for integration of the continent into the global academy.

28.Rector Burkhard Rauhut of RWTH Aachen University described his university’s approach to today’s global challenges, as well as the close network of the members of the IDEA League in Europe. He then introduced several examples of initiatives undertaken towards a sustainable campus, including the designation of a new campus area to facilitate closer contacts between the industrial and academic worlds.

29. The Presidents of Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Ritsumeikan University again made their comments on the issues presented, highlighting the efforts of their universities toward achieving energy efficiency, the importance of networks and joint degree programs for the exchange of researchers. Regarding the Network of Networks, questions were raised as to the concrete tools with which feasible and effective networks can be created.

30. The participants discussed the issues comprehensively and provided comments to be used by the Chair and Vice-Chair in their report to the Plenary Session on the next day. The participants warned against networking “for the sake of networking”, and noted that for the Network of Networks to be effective, it must be carefully designed, with links between institutions that share similarities as well as differences. Networks must involve the exchange of students at undergraduate level, and practical co-operation between researchers.