For the sustainable development of human society, social systems must be established in harmony with nature and the environment. Human resource development is the key to accomplishing this goal. People with an understanding of the concepts and skills for sociological management, as well as scientific knowledge and monitoring methods of biodiversity, will be able to contribute to sustainable development.
Launched in July 2012, the Educational Programme for Sustainable Development of Regional Society with a focus on Biodiversity project trained experts in sustainable development, with a focus on biodiversity. The project focused on suburban and rural areas, where local people sustain traditional culture based on rich biodiversity and seek social development through the sustainable use of natural resources. The biosphere reserves of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme were chosen as learning sites, thereby incorporating MAB into the project.
Project members and partners:
- Yokohama National University (YNU)- Project leader
- Hokkaido University
- Shinshu University
- Yonsei University
- Japanese Coordinating Committee for MAB
- Domestic biosphere reserves: Shiga Highland, Mt. Hakusan, Mt. Ohmine and Mt. Ohdaigahara, Aya
- Rikkyo University
- University of Tokyo
- Nara University of Education
- Nature Conservation Society of Japan
- Tadami Town
- Katsuyama City
After the Industrial Revolution, social activity grew and traditional lifestyles quickly evolved into a more productive, modern style. While this led to a better standard of living, traditional ways of living with biodiversity were lost in the process. For thousands of years, humans sustained life wisely, using natural resources and keeping a balance with nature, suggesting the viability of building a sustainable society by using biodiversity. This project focused on biodiversity as a key function for sustainable development. However, national or local biodiversity is rapidly lost in developed and developing countries alike. Such loss can be a serious problem in the context of conducting sustainable development.