The First Kyoto University – LIPI – Southeast Asian Forum

HIMPUNAN ALUMNI KYOTO UNIVERSITY (HAKU)

THE ASSOCIATION OF KYOTO UNIVERSITY ALUMNI

Report on Proceedings at

The First Kyoto University – LIPI – Southeast Asian Forum:

In Search of New Paradigm on Sustainable Humanosphere in Indonesia

Compiled by Retno Kusumaningtyas

Date : November 26^th – 27^th, 2007

Venue : PDII Building 2^nd floor, LIPI, Jakarta Indonesia

This two day forum can be seen as the first concrete activity of the research collaboration between LIPI and Kyoto University. The forum explored the concept of a “Sustainable Humanosphere” as well as related themes such as “Bio-energy for Community” and the “Forest as Humanosphere”.

Day one (November 26^th, 2007)

Opening ceremony [09.30-10.00]

The forum was opened by 4 delegates from the participating organizations. Three of the addresses were delivered at the Forum by: the vice president of Kyoto University, Mr. Masato Kitani; the president of HAKU (Kyoto University Alumni Association in Indonesia), Prof. Supiandi Sabiham; and the deputy chairman of Life Science, LIPI, Prof. Endang Sukara. The representative of CSEAS, Prof. Yoko Hayami, finally, addressed the forum via a live Internet connection from the CSEAS office in Kyoto.

Keynote speech [10.00-11.30]

The morning session consisted of three keynote speeches.

1. Prof. Kaoru Sugihara from CSEAS Kyoto University addressed the forum on the topic of The humanophere-sustainable path of economic development; A global historical perspective. His speech outlined some of the key ideas behind the Global COE research program on sustainability in Asia and Africa and suggested that one of the key topics for Asian and African area studies today is to combine area studies with frontier science and to create an interdisciplinary framework under which to promote sustainability of the humanosphere in concrete terms.

2. Prof. Endang Sukara (Deputy of Life Science, LIPI) talked on the subject of Mainstreaming forest biological diversity. His speech highlighted that the biodiversity richness in Indonesia is in many cases yet to be documented properly, and as such unexplored. He also outlined the threats to the existence of this biodiversity, such as forest conversion to support short term economy benefit, illegal logging, poaching, fires, etc.

3. Prof. Narifumi Tachimoto from the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature lastly, discussed Futurability of humanosphere; toward global humanics of the Environment. In his speech he sought to approach environmental-humanic global research from a philosophical standpoint. He argued that the global nature of humanity’s relationship to the environment makes it possible to draw up a plan in building future societies’ potential.

Grand session: Towards harmony between environment and economy: In search of sustainable humanosphere in Indonesia [12.30-14.00]

Four panelists delivered presentations on related topics.

1. Prof. Kosuke Mizuno, director of CSEAS, Kyoto University delivered a presentation with the title In search of new direction of development in Indonesia; Possibility of sustainable humanosphere type development in Indonesia. In his presentation he attempted to show a new possible direction for Indonesian development, referring in particular to the concept of sustainable humanosphere that the G-COE research program intends to develop.

2. Prof. Herman Hidayat, from the Research Center for Society and Culture, LIPI, delivered a presentation with the title National park management in local autonomy: From the viewpoint of political ecology (case study of Tanjung Putting, Central Kalimantan). His presentation discussed the conflicts occurring between central and local authorities in managing the national parks of Indonesia. He also looked at the fascinating prospects of “collaborative management”, currently promoted as an alternative concept in managing national parks, as a solution to these conflicts.

3. Prof. Shuichi Kawai from the Research Institute of Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University, delivered a presentation with the title Seeking sustainable society through science and technology. In his presentation he showed the various activities undertaken by RISH in Indonesia (in the field) and Japan (in the laboratory). RISH conducts research in industrial plantation forests of tropical trees in Southeast Asia and organizes inter-disciplinary research projects.

4. Prof. M. Bismark from the Forest and Nature Conservation Research and Development Center held a presentation entitled Improvement of potency and rehabilitation of degraded forest through community forest management. Against the background of community forests in Java, he argued that the function of the community forest is very important as a forest conservation tool, for forest rehabilitation, as well as for improving the economy of the communities involved, especially in agro-forestry located in the buffer zones of conservation areas.

Comments [14.30-15.00]

Prof. Kaoru Sugihara and Dr. Anita Firmanti commented on the presentations given during the mornings’ Grand Session.

Prof. Kaoru Sugihara:

1. Looking at nature from man’s perspective, it is still primarily seen as capital in land and as a means to create labor, thus nature is changed through differing land-use and labor. There remains a need for comprehensive revision of the economical situation in order to create better, and better sustainable development.
2. In the role of small business versus large-scale business, historically this debate has taken the direction where smaller units may perform better in integrating the welfare of the people and the welfare of the environment.
3. In the management of national park management, the approach of political ecology and the interaction of many stakeholders hold interesting possibilities. In general, central and local governments need to institute a “clean” form of government, and to put in place transparent and democratic mechanism to make people agree in issues such as biodiversity. More collaboration efforts are a necessity.
4. The conclusions on community forests are positive, but the question remains as to what extent this solution can actually encounter the massive forest destruction as a whole.

Dr. Anita Firmanti:

1. The most important issue is the need for Indonesia to clarify the direction of the country’s future development, taking into consideration matters of decentralization and democratization. The role of these concepts in further development need to be discussed in greater detail to make possible the drawing up of a grand scenario for a clearer direction of the country’s development.
2. RISH – Kyoto University has made a progressive step in research development and technology. The question remains however, what benefits these activities hold for local communities.
3. In community involvement in forest management, research activities should be transferred more to address practical issues, with a need to emphasize the importance of the people/local communities.
4. This event is to develop better cooperation between LIPI and Kyoto University, to improve capacity building among the Indonesian – Japanese scientist society and to make a better grand scenario for forest development.

Panel Discussion [15.30-17.00]

Moderated by Prof. Bambang Subiyanto (LIPI) and Prof. Kenichi Abe (Center for Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University).

Two questions/comments were raised by CSEAS participants from Kyoto (via a live internet connection).

1. Prof. Ikrar Nusa Bhakti asked why the research activities of RISH conducted in Acacia forests is. Why do they not extent to other areas such as natural forests and swamp forests? Indonesia has many other types of landscape that are believed to have sufficient potential for exploration.
2. Dr. Dewi S Sitepu furthermore remarked that poverty problems caused the environemental problems.

Day two (November 27^th, 2007)

Scientific session 1: Bio-energy for community [09.30-12.00]

Moderated by Ms. Nuengnam Navaboonniyo (Kyoto University Alumni from Thailand) and Prof. Bambang Prasetya (Research Center for Biotechnology, LIPI).

Four panelists delivered a presentation:

1. Prof. Supiandi Sabiham (Bogor Agricultural University) held a presentation entitled Prospect of bio-energy development in rural area. In his presentation he argued that the development of bio-energy for rural communities is in part solving the problem of energy scarcity, and that the development of bio-energy is expected to have multiple effects in enhancing rural economic activities.
2. Prof. Takashi Watanabe (RISH, Kyoto University) delivered presentation entitled Lignocellulosic bio-refinery for sustainable society in Southeast Asia. He discussed the potential of lignocellulosic bio-refinery to replace oil refinery. It has a great potential to accelerate regional economic growth and to generate biomass-based societies in Southeast Asia.
3. Prof. Gede Wibawa (Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute) delivered a presentation entitled Current status of research and development on bio-fuels in Indonesia. He presented the achievements to date of research and development of oil palm and sugar cane based bio-ethanol industries in Indonesia.
4. Prof. Taro Sonobe (RISH, Kyoto University) held a presentation entitled Novel thermal conversion process for bio-energy by microwave heating at Research Institute for Sustainable Humanisphere, Kyoto University. He presented his research on microwave heating as a pretreatment of the enzyme saccharification of woody biomass for bio-ethanol production.

Comments [12.00-12.30]

Prof. Kosuke Mizuno commented on the presentations held during scientific session 1.

1. Within the development of bio-energy, a number of issues should be given further consideration, such as:

• The global environment, national energy security, and the continuation of economic development;
• The enhancement of rural economies;
• The relationship between the high potential of biomass resources and the increase of (fossil) oil prices;
• The energy crop monocultures consistent with the sustainable humanosphere.

2. Local supply of rural energy. Bio-diesel and bio-gas are conventional technologies for generating energy locally. However we should not forget to look at the economic feasibility of these technologies in the setting of the local economy.

3. Who actually needs these alternative energy-sources? It is quite necessary to consider the point.

Scientific Session 2: Forest as Humanosphere [13.00-16.00]

Moderated by Prof. Kono Yasusuki (CSEAS, Kyoto University) and Dr. Dorothea Agnes Rampisela (Hasanudin University).

Four panelists held a presentation:

1. Prof. Toshiaki Umezawa (RISH, Kyoto University) gave a presentation entitled Biotechnology of tropical Acacia.

2. Prof. Parikesit (Padjajaran University) delivered a presentation entitled Man made forest as humanosphere component. He illustrated many of the important roles that man-made forests can play and the challenges that man-made forests face through a case-study conducted at the Citarum Watershed, West Java, Indonesia.

3. Prof. Kenichi Abe (CIAS, Kyoto University) held a presentation entitled Human security in Peat Swamp Forest. He argued the importance of “vernacularism” for the principally immigrant community of the peat swamp forests.

4. Mr. Keron A. Petrus (University of Indonesia) and Ms, Motoko Shimagami (CIAS, Kyoto University) gave a presentation entitled Empowering local institution for sustainable forest management: Lesson from “facilitated research” on community forestry in Sumber Agung Village, Lampung Province. They presented the participatory research experiences at Sumber Agung Village and found that in order to make local institutions function effectively in managing the forest, it is crucially important that the state officially recognizes local community’s rights to the forest.

Wrap up session: Resolutions and future perspectives [16.00-17.00]

Moderated by Dr. Masaaki Okamoto (CSEAS, Kyoto University).

In this session, Prof. Kono Yasusuki (CSEAS, Kyoto University), Prof. Takashi Watanabe (RISH, Kyoto University), and Dr. Wahyu Dwianto (Research and Development Unit for Biomaterials, LIPI) report on the findings from the scientific sessions.

The objectives defined from the forum were listed as follows:

1. To seek a new Indonesia;

2. To define what is national development;

3. To explore the concept of a sustainable humanosphere;

4. To anticipate global warming, climate change and MDG’s;

5. To develop a forest model for a sustainable humanosphere;

6. To intensify the number of studies on biodiversity of flora and fauna.

What is understood to comprise a “humanosphere” was identified as follows:

1. Human activities and how they interact with their surrounding environments.

2. A humanosphere is not only a term to refer to the scientific study of material, energy flows and conversions, but should also include all interactions between man and nature, including human and social responses to the environment.

3. Kyoto University’s Global COE Project (2007-2012) is to create an interdisciplinary framework under which to promote sustainability of the humanosphere in concrete terms.

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