Kyoto meeting highlights way forward for Future Earth in Asia

In early February the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature hosted a two-day workshop on Future Earth in Asia together with the Science Council of Japan, Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society.

The meeting brought together over 60 participants from within the scientific community, research funding organizations and NGOs to engage in a dialogue about the possible contributions of Future Earth to transitions to sustainability in Asia, and how Future Earth will deliver science for society.

Over the course of the 2-day workshop participants considered major trends in Asia, including a presentation on Urbanization and Sustainability Transition in Asia given by Future Earth Science Committee member Xuemei Bai, and on Co-design in Future Earth given by interim Engagement Committee member Bob Watson. Frans Berkhout, interim Director, and Science Committee member Tetsuzo Yasunari opened the meeting, setting out the context for discussions on Future Earth.

Closing the meeting, Professor Ohtake Satoru, Senior Executive Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), called for Asian leaders to play an active role in Future Earth, re-affirming the importance of science for resolving common challenges across Asia.

Presentations from the workshop are available for download.

A video of the workshop is available online.

More information on Future Earth in Asia.