KUMAMOTO CITY, JAPAN
Program Name
2002 International Urban Environmental Conference
Municipal Profile
Population: 661,060
Budget: US$1.8 billion
Land Area: 267 square kilometers
Economic Activities: wholesale/retail, transport, telecommunications, tourism, health, education
Environmental Expertise: groundwater measures (water conservation and water quality enhancement)
Issue Addressed
Environmental Education
Key Management Concept
Hosting international conferences can inspire citizens and local governments to take action to protect the environment.
Program Goals
The goal of the Urban Environmental Conference was to establish a global partnership at the municipal level and a new local partnership among citizens, businesses, and local government to address sustainable development issues.
Program Abstract
An Urban Environmental Conference was held in Kumamoto City in 2002, a milestone year marking the tenth anniversary of the Earth Summit. The four-day conference assembled a total of 3,086 participants representing 73 cities and organizations from 17 countries to discuss "Protecting the Earth: Citizens Action and Global Partnerships between Cities."
The conference opened on October 27 with keynote speeches from Japan's Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Dr. Steve Halls, director of the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) International Environmental Technology Centre. Princess Takamado spoke about "Thinking about the Global Environment" and Dr. Halls discussed "21st Century Urbanism and Global Partnership."
Local government representatives attended meetings on energy and water where they shared their achievements, identified the factors that contributed to their success, discussed common issues faced by cities, and recognized the need for interurban cooperation.
Citizens played a major role in the event by planning and holding a two-day Citizens' Environmental Conference that focused on "Ecological Cities and Ecological Life-For a Sound Partnership among Citizens, Businesses and the Administration." The conference was attended by 995 citizens and consisted of five meetings, a youth environmental forum, and exchange meetings between local citizens and overseas visitors.
On the final day of the conference, all participants adopted the Kumamoto Appeal. The appeal declared that in order to protect the environment, local governments, businesses, and citizens must assume responsibility for taking action, fostering new partnerships that extend beyond national and regional boundaries, and proceeding with the implementation of projects through mutual cooperation.
In the future, Kumamoto City seeks to foster friendships with countries worldwide by implementing global environmental conservation measures that reach beyond national borders.
Financing
The budget for the conference was US$352,796. Several sources provided financing including grants of $296,610 from Kumamoto City and $4,327 from the Green Promotion Council, a $12,677 subsidy from the Municipalities Promotion Association of Kumamoto, and donations from 23 business co-sponsors totaling $39,237.
Staff
While the core conference team consisted of 8 people, a total of 100 people including Kumamoto City officials and members of community-based organizations were involved in organizing the conference.
Lessons Learned
Collaboration between active citizens' groups and the local government helped strengthen partnership ties. Such conferences can also foster international partnerships.
Key Publications
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2003.
Reference Documents from the Citizens' Environmental Conference at the International Urban Environmental Conference.
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2002.
Report on the Citizens' Environmental Conference at the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference.
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2003.
Report on the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference in Kumamoto.
Contact
Tsutomu Nagata, Technical staff
1-1 Tetorihonchou
Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Japan 860-8601
Tel: +81-96/328-2427
Fax: +81-96/359-9945
Email: kankyoukikaku@city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp
Website
www.city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp
2002 International Urban Environmental Conference
Municipal Profile
Population: 661,060
Budget: US$1.8 billion
Land Area: 267 square kilometers
Economic Activities: wholesale/retail, transport, telecommunications, tourism, health, education
Environmental Expertise: groundwater measures (water conservation and water quality enhancement)
Issue Addressed
Environmental Education
Key Management Concept
Hosting international conferences can inspire citizens and local governments to take action to protect the environment.
Program Goals
The goal of the Urban Environmental Conference was to establish a global partnership at the municipal level and a new local partnership among citizens, businesses, and local government to address sustainable development issues.
Program Abstract
An Urban Environmental Conference was held in Kumamoto City in 2002, a milestone year marking the tenth anniversary of the Earth Summit. The four-day conference assembled a total of 3,086 participants representing 73 cities and organizations from 17 countries to discuss "Protecting the Earth: Citizens Action and Global Partnerships between Cities."
The conference opened on October 27 with keynote speeches from Japan's Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Dr. Steve Halls, director of the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) International Environmental Technology Centre. Princess Takamado spoke about "Thinking about the Global Environment" and Dr. Halls discussed "21st Century Urbanism and Global Partnership."
Local government representatives attended meetings on energy and water where they shared their achievements, identified the factors that contributed to their success, discussed common issues faced by cities, and recognized the need for interurban cooperation.
Citizens played a major role in the event by planning and holding a two-day Citizens' Environmental Conference that focused on "Ecological Cities and Ecological Life-For a Sound Partnership among Citizens, Businesses and the Administration." The conference was attended by 995 citizens and consisted of five meetings, a youth environmental forum, and exchange meetings between local citizens and overseas visitors.
On the final day of the conference, all participants adopted the Kumamoto Appeal. The appeal declared that in order to protect the environment, local governments, businesses, and citizens must assume responsibility for taking action, fostering new partnerships that extend beyond national and regional boundaries, and proceeding with the implementation of projects through mutual cooperation.
In the future, Kumamoto City seeks to foster friendships with countries worldwide by implementing global environmental conservation measures that reach beyond national borders.
Financing
The budget for the conference was US$352,796. Several sources provided financing including grants of $296,610 from Kumamoto City and $4,327 from the Green Promotion Council, a $12,677 subsidy from the Municipalities Promotion Association of Kumamoto, and donations from 23 business co-sponsors totaling $39,237.
Staff
While the core conference team consisted of 8 people, a total of 100 people including Kumamoto City officials and members of community-based organizations were involved in organizing the conference.
Lessons Learned
Collaboration between active citizens' groups and the local government helped strengthen partnership ties. Such conferences can also foster international partnerships.
Key Publications
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2003.
Reference Documents from the Citizens' Environmental Conference at the International Urban Environmental Conference.
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2002.
Report on the Citizens' Environmental Conference at the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference.
Executive Committee of the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference. 2003.
Report on the 2002 International Urban Environmental Conference in Kumamoto.
Contact
Tsutomu Nagata, Technical staff
1-1 Tetorihonchou
Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Japan 860-8601
Tel: +81-96/328-2427
Fax: +81-96/359-9945
Email: kankyoukikaku@city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp
Website
www.city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp
