GSAIS hosts 8th International Symposium "Human Survivability Studies and the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia" (7 November 2019)

On 7 November, the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (GSAIS, also known as Shishu-kan) hosted its eighth international symposium on human survivability, focusing on "Human Survivability Studies (HSS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia", at the International Science Innovation Building. Students played key roles in planning and running this event, with Lee Hyorim and Negrao Chuba Thiago, both in their first year at GSAIS, acting as the mistress and master of ceremonies. A total of 11 graduate students participated as oral and poster presenters.

The symposium began with remarks from GSAIS Dean Kaoru Takara, and featured three keynote speeches, delivered by: Dr Benno Boer, chief of natural science at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office Bangkok; Dr Nuki Agya Utama, executive director of the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE); and Dr Nobuko Kayashima, senior vice president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The program also included two student presentation sessions, one themed "Initiatives in HSS", and the other, "Challenges and Solutions for SDGs in Asia".

Toward the end of the event, a panel discussion, entitled "What Can Academia do for SDGs in Asia", took place featuring four experts: Dr Charles Bolico, director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Liaison Office in Japan, Mr Septia Supendi, manager of ACE, Professor Yosuke Yamashiki, vice-dean of GSAIS, and Associate Professor Takashi Kamemura, also of GSAIS.

Finally, Dean Takara wrapped up the event by recapitulating its talking points, concluding on a high note.

Related link

• 8th International Symposium on Human Survivability "Human Survivability Studies (HSS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia"
  http://www.gsais.kyoto-u.ac.jp/symposium2019/