JICA Group Training Program on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetland in the Context of Implementing Ramsar Convention and CBD Conducted

From May 18 (Monday) to June 29 (Monday), 2009, we welcomed four trainees from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Obihiro International Center for a group training course entitled Conservation and Wise Use of Wetland in the Context of Implementing Ramsar Convention and CBD.
The program, held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment, began in the current fiscal year for staff involved in nature conservation in developing nations, such as government officials in charge of natural conservation policies and nature conservation rangers.
The purpose of the training course is to enable trainees to address challenges facing their organizations in regard to promoting the conservation and wise use of wetland areas and to plan/implement specific problem-solving projects within three years.
Those attending the course this time were two employees from the Sabah State Government in Malaysia who are involved in national park administration and two officials from Mongolia's Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism, who are in charge of wetland conservation.
The training was held in four regions - suburban Tokyo, Fujiyoshida City, Okinawa, and Kushiro in Hokkaido. Through lectures, field trips and practical training, the participants gained insights into wetland conservation based on the philosophies of the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity. In particular, they learned about wetland utilization as a means to promote environmental education and tourism, examined institutional development and the operation of awareness-raising facilities in Japan, and studied examples of awareness-raising programs and eco-tour programs implemented in the public and private sectors.
In a report presentation session on the last day of the training program, trainees proposed draft projects based on the knowledge and experience they had gained from the training. The projects included the establishment of a working group by stakeholders involved in wetland conservation and awareness-raising activities for local residents.
During their stay in Kushiro, the trainees also had a number of opportunities to interact with local elementary and high school students and volunteers for international exchange events through practical training, field trips and other events such as a home-visit program. They stated that they were impressed with the high levels of awareness regarding environmental issues among Japanese children and that they were moved by the kindness of the volunteers who helped them.

Participation in the Ecolife Fair 2009 - Blessings of Wetlands: Tourism and Local Goods of Ramsar Sites

On June 6 (Saturday) and 7 (Sunday), 2009, the Ministry of the Environment held the Ecolife Fair 2009 in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park.
At this event, the Meeting of Japanese Municipalities Involved with Wetlands Designated under the Ramsar Convention, the Ramsar Center Japan and Wetlands International Japan jointly ran a booth on the theme of "Blessings of Wetlands: Tourism and Local Goods of Ramsar Sites." At the event, KIWC also publicized the natural environments, tourist appeal and conservation activities of the four Ramsar sites in the Kushiro region (Kushiro-shitsugen, Akkeshi-ko & Bekambeushi-shitsugen, Kiritappu-shitsugen and Akan-ko) by displaying posters and distributing pamphlets, environmental education kits and other resources.
In addition to the three hosting institutions above, 17 related local governments and other organizations from across the nation, including KIWC, participated in the event with exhibitions aimed at introducing wetlands in Japan, and distributed local products as giveaways along with tourist pamphlets. The venue was crowded with visitors on both days.