The JSPS Global COE Program In Search of Sustainable Humanosphere in Asia and Africa

更新日:2014/02/14

1) Project

The JSPS Global COE Program

In Search of Sustainable Humanosphere in Asia and Africa

2) Related Organizations

Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University

Research Institute of Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University

Center for Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University

Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

Institute of Sustainability Science, Kyoto University

Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

Institute for Research in Humanities, Kyoto University

Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

3) Period

Fiscal year 2007 ～2011

4) Outline

The aim of this project is to conduct a wide range of interdisciplinary studies on sustainable development in Asia and Africa from a global, long-term perspective. We put forward a new paradigm, which is specifically designed to activate the dialogue between specialists of Asian and African history and area studies, and scientists working on frontier technology. It is also designed to create a framework under which to assess the impact of global environmental concerns such as global warming upon the local societies of Asia and Africa, and to suggest a sustainable path of local and regional development.

In order to substantiate the aim, we plan to carry out the following four core projects. Project 1 “Long-term dynamics of environment, technology and institutions” studies the impact of the technology and institutions which human society had imposed on the environment in Asia and Africa in historical perspective, in order to determine the directions of technological and institutional changes that are desirable in the next hundred years. It is important for scientists to understand the historical path of development of each region, and its diversity and social capability, and move away from the assumption that each region will follow the path of development similar to the ones pursued by developed countries in the West and East Asia.

Project 2 “The structure of humanosphere” investigates the material and energy flows and conversions of local societies, and relates these observations and concerns for global environmental constraints to the more conventional issues on the interactions between man and nature. Results of measurement of carbon balances will be used for the formulation of local resource management of land, water and animals and plants. This then will be combined with rural sociological and anthropological studies, to arrive at the realistic program of local resource management consistent with both awareness of global constraints and the needs of local development.

Project 3 “The forestry model of sustainable humanosphere” attempts a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of local societies dependent on forestry products to examine the impacts of frontier technologies of molecular biology, wood engineering and forest science on: a) land use, b) commercial forestry, c) commercialization of forest waste, d) the growth of local towns, e) employment generation, f) changes in customary law, g) local administration and h) local politics. It seeks to develop the kinds of frontier science and technology that can draw out the capabilities engrained in local societies by working closely with them.

Project 4 “Knowledge and capabilities of local societies” focuses on the identification of cultural, religious, social and institutional resources that have been accumulated in local societies for sustainable humanosphere and development. Cultures and value systems have been integral part of sustainability-driven path of development, and their significance in directing human behavior have been expressed in terms of diverse perceptions of human health, animals and plants, climate, and natural catastrophe. The study of these perceptions and their intellectual underpinnings offer insights into the relevance of contemporary science and technology to local life and its limits, which in turn should help direct our options for building locally sustainable humanosphere.

For detail, please see;

http://www.humanosphere.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en