The 1995 Global Youth Exchange (GYE) Program
1. General theme :
"Creating Valuable Future-Global Environment Issues and Role of the Rising Generation"
2. Date :
26 February-11 March 1995 (14 days)
3. Venues :
Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima
4. Participants :
54 persons from 30 countries, including Japan
Note: The figure inside the parentheses shows the number of participants from that country. No figure indicates one participant.
Indonesia (2), Malaysia (2), Philippines (2), Singapore (2), Thailand (2), China (2), Republic of Korea (2), Vietnam (2), USA (5), Canada (3), Mexico (2), France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Malta, Japan (10)
5. Content of Program
(1) Discussions and public symposium
This year's program focused on the theme, "Creating Valuable Future-Global Environment Issues and Role of the Rising Generation." First, three group discussions were held in the Waseda University International Conference Center. Then, a public symposium was held on 3 March at the United Nations University. The symposium enjoyed the participation of Dr. Mamoru Mori, Astronaut, National Space Development Agency, as keynote speaker.
A) Discussions in Tokyo (28 February-2 March)
The participants listened to lecturers speak on the theme of each session and then broke up into groups for discussions. Opening the session was Mr. C.H. Strohmann of UNEP-IETC Osaka, who delivered a keynote address on environmental problems facing humankind from the standpoints of population, consumption and technology.
(i)Session 1: "Trade and Environment"
Lecturer: Mr. Takaaki Moroto, Manager, Corporate Security and Environment Division, Itochu Corp.
Mr. Moroto described cases of environmental issues both limiting and contributing to trade. He also offered specific examples of environmental measures being taken by Itochu Corp., including the production of chairs made from rubber trees (Thailand-Japan).
(ii) Session 2: "Environmental Issues in Japan"
Lecturer: Dr. Michio Hashimoto, President, Overseas Environment Cooperation Center
Dr. Hashimoto spoke in detail about the history of environmental issues in Japan, using specific examples.
During the lecture, questions on specific examples of pollution countermeasures in Japan, the role of local communities in pollution prevention in Japan, Minamata Disease and other topics were asked.
(iii) Session 3: "Global Partnership in Environmental Preservation"
Lecturer: Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi, Ph.D., International Legal Studies, Faculty of Law, Sophia University
Dr. Inoguchi spoke about the importance of forming an "epistemic community," in which specialists create global networks to participate in international decision-making. Her lecture provoked lively questions on topics such as whether such a network might become isolated from the discussions of specialist groups, what sort of role politics should play regarding the environment, etc.
(iv) Session 4: "Environment and Society"
Lecturer: Mr. Saburo Kato, President, Research Institute for the Environment and Society
Mr. Kato emphasized the necessity of institutional, technological and philosophical change toward resolving environmental problems. Questions on environment taxes and other issues were expressed.
B) Public Symposium (3 March, at the United Nations University)
Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mamoru Mori, delivered a keynote address titled, "The Global Environment Viewed from Outer Space." In it, Dr. Mori used slides while talking about his experience in the Space Shuttle and other impressions.
The ensuing panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Nariyuki Okajima, Deputy Editor of the News Analysis and Commentary Dept., Yomiuri Shimbun Newspaper, and centered around four participants selected as panelists (from Mexico, Canada (two) and Japan). The panel discussion focused on environmental problems from the standpoint of the wealth gap between the North and the South and the role of Japan. Upon the discussion's conclusion, the GYE Tokyo Declaration was announced.
(2) Local visits and Exchanges
(A) Homestays (Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama)
Each participant lived with a different Japanese family in the Kanto area for three days and experienced everyday Japanese life.
(B) Local visits (Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima
(i) Kyoto: Sanjusangendo, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden) Temple
(ii) Nara: Research Institute for Innovative Technology for the Earth
(R.I.T.E.), Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Park, Todaiji Temple (Great Buddha).
(iii) Hiroshima, first day: Peace Memorial Museum, Memorial Cenotaph, Atomic Bomb Dome. Second day: Motor plant.
(C) Exchange reception (Hiroshima)
This reception was held with the cooperation of the Hiroshima Prefectural International Exchange Association. The participants were divided into 10 groups and exchanged views with young people from Hiroshima.
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