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From: William Chambers [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, June 19, 1997 8:59 PM Subject: Announcement United Nations University Electronic Forum/Discussion
Announcement of UNU/IAS Electronic Forum:
Title: Sustainable Development : From Concept to Practice Date: 23th June - 8 July
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URL: http://chcd-0005.ias.unu.edu:8888/sd/
Organized by: The Research Associates and Ph.D. Fellows, at Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS), The United Nations University, Tokyo
SUMMARY
The Institute of Advanced Studies (http://www.unu.edu/ias/) - an advanced research and training center of the United Nations University, Tokyo - recognizes the importance of the UN General Assembly Special Session to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 (New York, 23-27 June1997).
In the spirit of this review, a group of Ph.D. Fellows and young researchers at UNU/IAS have begun the process of stimulating debate on the practical aspects of implementing Agenda 21 as well as the role of UNU/IAS in this activity.
We would like to invite you to join us in a discussion of the following questions: 1) How do participants in the sustainable development process use Agenda 21 to move from concept to implementation? 2) What can be the role of research institutions in achieving sustainable development through the implementation of Agenda 21 ? 3) What do the practitioners in the field see as the most important steps/factors required for the effective implementation of SD and how do they see the relationship of these steps/factors to the implementation of Agenda 21 ? 4) What issues are actually constraining the practical implementation of SD and can these constraints be overcome by the implementation of Agenda 21 ? 5) With regards to the above, what are the key research areas that have not been adequately covered ?
An outcome of this forum will be a set of recommendations for implementation of sustainable development from concept to action. (This may take the form of a document or publication)
We also hope this discussion will enable UNU/IAS to refine its research priorities for achieving effective approaches to sustainable development.
Established in December 1995, the UNU/IAS conducts in-house research and postgraduate education in a flexible, multi-thematic programme, primarily focused on research related to the interactions of societal and natural systems. For the first few years the initial research activities at UNU/IAS will be closely linked to the actions proposed in Agenda 21, especially in the promotion of global sustainability. With an extensive network of higher education institutions in many countries, UNU/IAS is seeking to establish collaborative links with other academic institutions and international organizations which will promote advanced research aimed at finding effective solutions to pressing global problems.
The effective transformation to a sustainable global society is closely tied to structural changes in growth and development and it is necessary to ensure environmental protection and to resolve a wide range of social problems (including restructuring towards sustainable production, making adjustments in consumption patterns, and reducing inter and intra-generational inequity and promoting transfrontier responsibility for environmental damage). UNU/IAS is determined to meet these challenges by bridging the gap between research and action to ensure that tools are available to aid in the establishment and implementation of better policies to facilitate sustainable development at all levels.
The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies 53-67 Jingumae 5-chome Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150, Japan Tel: 03-5467-2323 Fax: 03-5467-2324 Email: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.unu.edu/ias/
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