Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) ONUKI Motoharu Project Associate Professor Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) Division of Environmental Studies Graduate School of Frontier Sciences The University of Tokyo International Conference on Sustainability Science in Asia 2009 November 23-24, 2009, AITCC, Thailand

ICSS-Asia What is GPSS? A new international graduate program in sustainability science established in Division of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences as an educational unit of IR3S In English language Train internationally-minded professionals who can help create a sustainable society Diverse students –Nationality (20 nationalities), cultural background (4/5 are international students) –Academic background Master’s program started in October –“Master of Sustainability Science” degree Ph.D. program will start in October –“Ph.D. in Sustainability Science”

ICSS-Asia What to learn in GPSS Knowledge related with Sustainability –A great variety of subjects related to sustainability in a holistic manner (supported by Division of Environmental Studies and IR3S-TIGS) Practical Skills –for understanding problems holistically –for communication, facilitation and consensus building –for problem solving, envisioning future, leadership Mind-sets / Attitudes –Accepting / acknowledging diversity, de-tatchment, transidiciplinarity, motivation / driving force for change / dynamics

ICSS-Asia Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) Dept. of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies Dept. of International Studies Dept. of Natural Environmental Studies Dept. of Environment Systems Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) Dept. of Socio-Cultural Environmental Studies TIGS IR3S Kyoto U RISS Osaka U SGP Hokkaido U ICAS Ibaraki U The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Sciences KSI Division of Environmental Studies

ICSS-Asia What to learn in GPSS Knowledge related with Sustainability –A great variety of subjects related to sustainability in a holistic manner (supported by Division of Environmental Studies and IR3S-TIGS) Practical Skills –for understanding problems holistically –for communication, facilitation and consensus building –for problem solving, envisioning future, leadership Mind-sets / Attitudes –Accepting / acknowledging diversity, de-tatchment, transidiciplinarity, motivation / driving force for change / dynamics

ICSS-Asia Field Exercise send student outside of the university to see a reality Talk and communicate with local people Propose something to the real society

ICSS-Asia Even in the campus Practical Courses (Interactive courses) dealing with real problems or real cases and full of group works, group discussions and group presentations (team based approach) with diverse colleagues. Students Seminars –All students attend to introduce, discuss and exchange their research progress, which is completely different from others.

ICSS-Asia What to learn in GPSS Knowledge related with Sustainability –A great variety of subjects related to sustainability in a holistic manner (supported by Division of Environmental Studies and IR3S-TIGS) Practical Skills –for understanding problems holistically –for communication, facilitation and consensus building –for problem solving, envisioning future, leadership Mind-sets / Attitudes –Accepting / acknowledging diversity, de-tatchment, transidiciplinarity, motivation / driving force for change / dynamics

ICSS-Asia In Asian Context Trying to solve problems in Asia and to propose a future vision for Asia –Asian sustainability contributes to global sustainability –Kashiwanoha Town, Sustainable Campus –Many field exercise units –Asia is a target Trying to learn from Asia –History of Asian environmental / social problems Specially Japanese experience on Industrial / Environmental Pollution problems –Students diversity itself –Asia is learning material.

ICSS-Asia Asian Contribution to the Global Sustainability Mottainai Influence of Buddhism (e.g. on sufficiency economy and “kyousei 共生 ” harmonizing with nature) Moderate, medium, ma-ma” まあまあ ”, generosity to allow vagueness Generosity with religions? Harmonizing or even mixing different religions Way of thinking in desert area and way of thinking in forests Cooperativeness and Individualism Chinese Medicine, Zen, Yoga Common experiences of sudden westernization and industrialization (and colonization) Non native-English speaker

ICSS-Asia Thank you very much for your attention!

ICSS-Asia