On Saturday, December 17, “20th-Anniversary Celebration of University of Hyogo, Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment　Climate Change and the United Nations - Future Through SDGs -” was hosted at Arcrea Himeji to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the School of Human Science and Environment Graduate School at the University of Hyogo.

Since January of 2022, the University of Hyogo has been participating in United Nations Academic Impact, which connects the world’s universities with the United Nations.
In order to fulfill the educational philosophy of the School of Human Science and Environment and Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment, we promote various programs and research activities in the United Nations Academic Impact in cooperation with the United Nations and universities inside and outside Japan.
We published “University of Hyogo’s Declaration Concerning SDGs” in March of 2022, and the entire university is working towards initiatives such as realizing dignity for humanity and conservation of the global environment.

This event, which welcomed approximately 430 participants, was hosted as an opportunity for sharing the knowledge needed for solving issues at a global scale between professors at our university, the children who are our future, and local residents.
The hosting of this event was backed by Hyogo Prefecture and Himeji City and a total of 10 public, industry, and governmental organizations such as Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of the Environment Kinki Regional Environment Office; NIKKEI Osaka Head Office; and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.

Part 1
The event began with opening remarks by Professor Hayato Uchida, Head of the School of Human Science and Environment and Head of the Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment.

Next, congratulatory remarks were given by President Isao Ota and Chancellor Makoto Iokibe. During the congratulatory remarks, President Ota said, “We humans must have love for each other and for humanity, and cherish education. Also, I think that it is extremely important to foster students who embrace the same sentiment.” He went on to say, “It is said that ‘control divides’, so the world does not become one. There are various barriers such as race, religion, and tyrants, and the key for overcoming these is, without a doubt, education.
The entire world will have a deep love of humanity. If it becomes that way, I think we will become ‘one world, one earth’.

Going forward, the School of Human Science and Environment and Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment. will inherit the path we have been taking and, with a major global perspective with the keys of how humans live and anthropology, will make efforts through education and research over the next one or two decades in the direction that as many of the people of the world could imagine.”

Also, during the congratulatory remarks, Chancellor Makoto Iokibe brought up the fact that, over two major wars in the 20th century, scientific advancements have created larger destructive forces. “The weaponry that we have acquired through our scientific technologies, the extremely shallow things that we have constructed, and our misapplication of our capabilities beyond our control have a risk of destruction.” He went on to say, “We don’t truly notice that our scientific technologies and the activities and capabilities of humans on this planet since the industrial revolution have caused major changes to the global environment.

Major changes to the environment, such as the destruction of glaciers in Greenland and the Alps will lead to destruction, to the extent of the extinction of the dinosaurs after an asteroid collided with earth, surrounding the earth in fog and blocking out the sun.

We are in a situation in which we have run out of time. Today, Kaoru Nemoto, Japan Director of United Nations Information Center, will speak about the necessity of supporting the global environment and about SDGs, based on her activities and international experience at the United Nations.
I would like you to listen to the end and apply what you have learned into your life going forward. I would like this to create a new start for the School of Human Science and Environment and the Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment.”

Following the congratulatory remarks, Professor Hayato Uchida, Head of the School of Human Science and Environment and Head of the Graduate School, School of Human Science and Environment, introduced the progress over 20 years at the school and the history of the Himeji School of Human Science and Environment Campus.
In his talk about the progress, Professor Uchida mentioned that, “We will make even more progress in education, research, and other activities, with the aim to deal with recent climate change, achievement of SDGs, and realize a carbon-free society.

Based on the history and traditions of the former Himeji High School and former Himeji College of Hyogo and with an importance on the seven perspectives of human science/culture, public policy, construction/cities, nature/environment, dietary environments & nutrition, environmental symbiosis, and cutting-edge medical technology, I would like to implement education and research that connects the environment and people.

Part 2
Kaoru Nemoto, Japan Director of United Nations Information Center was invited to give the memorial address on the topic of “Climate Change and the United Nations - Future Through SDGs -”, and spoke about the effects of climate change.

During her lecture, Nemoto mentioned that SDGs, which currently have been incorporated into education curriculum, were not noticed by people at first. The response of the Japanese government has been ahead of other countries in the world. There are historical turning points due to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and major conflicts such as the invasion of Ukraine. The key to solving these problems is for us to come together and work on initiatives together.

Nemoto urged participants to recognize that, “SDGs and climate change countermeasures should not be simply treated as the circle marks of SDGs, which are branding tools, or as the icons that represent each goal. Rather, they are a way of creating a new social common sense by greatly changing social frameworks and systems.
I implore all of you who are here today to think beyond the explanatory methods and frameworks of which actions apply to which of the SDGs goals or targets, and to greatly change the present situation and make improvements for creating actions and movements that can create a new social common sense.”

Following the lecture, students asked questions.

Following the memorial address, Professor Ayako Takahashi of the School of Human Science and Environment gave an introduction of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), and introduced the initiatives of the United Nations Academic Impact and a video message from Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Professor Takahashi, addressing students, said, “As a member of Academic Impact, I implore you to learn from other members and to come together to transmit our new actions for local and global problems based on the education and research activities of the university.

I would be delighted if you thought of the SDGs Promotion Office as your platform and would take action together.”