By Luk VanLangenhoveIn our globalizedworld, societies areaffected more andmore extensively anddeeply by events ofother societies. Debateson globalization raisequestions regarding theappropriate politicalresponse for dealingwith both its negativeand positive effects.One of the fundamentalquestions is at whatlevel action should besituated. National andlocal authorities cantake actions, but – as isoften the case – these authorities are limited in their abilityto tackle global and, thus, transnational problems. On theother hand, there are global worldwide institutions, such asthe United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions. And,in between, there are regional institutions as well, such asthe European Union, Mercosur and NAFTA; it is, perhaps,exactly at this level that globalization is best dealt with.

This may seem surprising, as at first sight it could onlybe the United Nations who, as a global institution, offers apolitical answer to globalization. After all, the UnitedNations was founded in 1945 in an attempt to create amultilateral world forum where sovereign states can clear updiffering opinions, and where common actions about peaceand development can be stimulated. Today, however, theworld is dramatically different from that of the post-WorldWar II period in which the United Nations was founded.First of all, the geopolitical stability of that systemdisappeared with the end of the cold war. Secondly, a lotmore countries are now members of the United Nations thanused to be the case (from the original 51 members, the

number has risennowadays to 191Member States), whichmeans that thefunctioning of theGeneral Assembly isnot getting easier.Thirdly, states nowhave to share theirhegemony ongovernance and theircapacity to regulateeconomictransformation moreand more with localgovernments, supra-national groupings andnon-governmentalactors. And, finally, asshown in the recent

Iraqi crisis, not all states seem to accept multilateralism asthe dominant principle on which the world order has to bebased.

So, how should the United Nations deal withglobalization? Should we stick to the old model of a club ofnations? Or should we search for alternative models inwhich other actors, such as regional organizations, can playa role? The fact is that regional integration is becoming amajor geopolitical process. After the Second World War, afirst wave of regionalization focused on trade and paymentsliberalization between neighbouring countries in order tospur inter-country transactions. The current wave ofregionalism is different, as it is increasingly no longer abouttrade only, but also about security and regional public goods(such as managing water basins, infrastructure, energy andthe environment).

In addition, Europe has managed to develop a model ofintegration that incorporates political elements in a deepeconomic integration. Indeed, what is happening in the

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A UNU Public Affairs newsletter providing connexionsto the work of the University

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Regional integration and global governance

UNUnexionsAugust 2003

The “Point of View” essay series reflects the UNU’s mandate to provide scholarship that clarifies pressing global issues. Thisissue’s “Point of View” was contributed by Professor Luk Van Langenhove, Director of UNU’s Comparative RegionalIntegration Studies Programme (UNU/CRIS) in Bruges, Belgium. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarilyreflect the views or policy of the UNU.

(Continued on page 4)

The meeting of the European Council was held in Copenhagen on 12–13 December 2002.The agenda concentrated on two key topics: the enlargement of the EU and functionalprocedures of the Council in the light of the enlargement.(Photo: Audiovisual Library of the European Commission)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

(1989) provides aninternational legalframework for the care andprotection of children andtheir participation in society.This convention defining thefundamental rights ofchildren encapsulates anextraordinary consensus bygovernments on this subject.A special session of the UNGeneral Assembly in 2002on the status of children,however, highlighted the reality thatthe young remain vulnerable topoverty, greed, crime, disease andexploitation.

On Thursday, 16 January 2003,UNU and the Delegation of theEuropean Commission in Japan – incooperation with UNICEF and theJapan Committee for UNICEF, andsupported by the Ministry of ForeignAffairs of Japan and the AsahiShimbun – organized a high-levelinternational conference on issuesrelated to human rights and the rightsof the child. This conference,“Children in Turmoil: Rights of theChild in the Midst of Human

Insecurity,” was held at UN House inTokyo as the third event of the EU-UNU Tokyo Global Forum series.Conference discussions focusedparticularly on the topics of abuse andexploitation of children, workingchildren and children in conflict, anddeprivation, health and education.

The objective of the conferencewas to mobilize the private and publicsectors to contribute to the fullestimplementation of the UN Conventionby sending a strong message – topoliticians as well as to economicactors – that the rights and well-beingof children must be fully integratedinto all policy formulation. Attending

the conference were political leaders,academics, UN officials andrepresentatives of non-governmentalorganizations. Conference speakersincluded Tetsuko Kuroyanagi(UNICEF Ambassador for Goodwill),Lloyd Axworthy (former ForeignMinister of Canada), Nobuto Hosakaand Seiko Noda (members of theHouse of Representatives, Japan),Glenys Kinnock (member of theEuropean Parliament), Shada Islam(correspondent, Far EasternEconomic Review) and Marta SantosPais (Director, UNICEF InnocentiResearch Centre).

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O ver the past decade, as theworld has witnessed a tide of

civil conflict, war crimes,humanitarian crises and, mostrecently, the deadly rise of terrorism,the principle that state sovereigntyinvolves a responsibility to ensurejustice and personal security forindividuals has gained increasinglybroad international recognition. So,too, has the notion that when states areunable or unwilling to exercise thisresponsibility, this role must beassumed by the community of states,since threats to social stability andhuman security can extend far beyondstate borders.

In an effort to advance thecollective security debate and revisitthe challenges of “humanitarianintervention,” Canada established theindependent InternationalCommission on Intervention and State

Sovereignty (ICISS) in September2000. In December 2001, thiscommission formally presented itsreport on The Responsibility toProtect to the UN community. UNSecretary-General Kofi Annanincluded this report at the SecurityCouncil’s annual private retreat inMay 2002, and follow-up efforts tothis initiative were organized at theUN and by governments, non-governmental organizations andexperts around the world.

On Monday, 16 December 2002,UNU and the Canadian Embassy inJapan hosted a half-day seminar on“The Responsibility to Protect” at UNHouse in Tokyo. This seminar wasone of the first national-level efforts tobroaden public awareness andengagement in building a greaterglobal consensus on the responsibilityof states and the international

community to protect civilians. Itbrought together policy makers,academics, analysts and practitionersinvolved in areas of internationalpeace and security, conflict preventionand human rights.

Seminar speakers included GarethEvans (Co-Chair of the ICISS,President and Chief Executive of theInternational Crisis Group, and formerForeign Minister of Australia),Ramesh Thakur (Vice-Rector of UNUand ICISS Commissioner), MarieGervais-Vidricaire (Director General,Global Issues Bureau of theDepartment of Foreign Affairs andInternational Trade, Canada), YoichiOtabe (Deputy Director General,Foreign Policy Bureau of the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, Japan) and JohnMcCarthy (Australian Ambassador toJapan and former AustralianAmbassador to Indonesia).

Seminar discusses “The Responsibility to Protect”

EU-UNU forum considers plight of “Children in Turmoil”

Mr. Lloyd AxworthyMs. Tetsuko KuroyanagiMs. Glenys Kinnock

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In the wake of the World Summit onSustainable Development (WSSD)

in Johannesburg last year, nations andinstitutions worldwide areaccelerating their actions towardssustainability. Central to this dialogueon achieving sustainable developmentare global assessments ofenvironmental resources and services.

It is within this context thatenvironmental experts met in aninternational symposium at UNU inTokyo on 17 January 2003 to discussapproaches for global and thematicintegration of environmentalassessments. Successful strategies forglobal integration of assessments mustlink the environmental, social,economic and institutional domains ofsustainable development – domainsthat relate, respectively, to the healthof ecosystems, human vulnerabilityand poverty reduction, economic

development, and mechanisms forimplementation.

The symposium was attended byexperts from the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP),National Institute for Public Healthand the Environment (RIVM, theNetherlands), UNU Institute ofAdvanced Studies (UNU/IAS),National Institute for EnvironmentalStudies (NIES, Japan), UNU andother organizations. Discussionsprovided perspectives on thechallenges that are faced in integratingenvironmental assessments, a keyelement of which is linkingenvironmental sustainability topoverty reduction and economicdevelopment. This issue wasdiscussed in view of the ongoingpoverty reduction programmes inAsia, which provide numerous lessonsfor global dialogue. The work already

undertaken to integrate variousmodeling systems served as a startingpoint for further discussion.

The symposium also marked theformal launch of the Forum forGlobally-Integrated EnvironmentalAssessment Modeling (the GLEAMForum), a joint initiative by UNU andRIVM. The main purpose of theGLEAM Forum is to develop aperiodic exchange platform fordiscussions and brainstorming on theissue of globally integratedenvironmental assessment, notablymodel-supported assessment. Theforum will include multidisciplinaryworkshops for problem-solving,client-based projects, peer reviewsand an electronic newsletter.

More information about theGLEAM Forum is available on theUNU website athttp://www.unu.edu/env/GLEAM/.

International experts discuss global integration ofenvironmental assessments

On 13 December 2002, UNUhosted an international

symposium on “Islam: FosteringPeace and Dialogue in anInterdependent World.” Thissymposium, held in the U ThantInternational Conference Hall at UNHouse in Tokyo, was jointlyorganized by UNU and theAmbassadors to Japan of the membercountries of the Organization of theIslamic Conference (OIC).

The intent of the symposium was

to deepen mutual understanding ofIslam and other religions, and topromote stronger relations offriendship and cooperation betweenJapan and the Muslim world. Theproceedings opened with remarks byRachad Farah, Ambassador of theRepublic of Djibouti and Dean of theAmbassadors of the OIC membercountries. The symposium’s keynotespeaker was Dr. Mahathir binMohamad, Prime Minister ofMalaysia (photo). The keynoteaddress was followed by a 90-minutepanel discussion coordinated by

Professor Moustapha Cisse, HonoraryAmbassador of the Republic ofSenegal. Panelists discussed theirinsights and views on exchange andinteraction between the Muslim worldand other countries, focusing inparticular on past and presentchannels of exchange betweenMuslim countries and Japan, and onissues of philosophy and valuescommon to both cultural spheres.

The symposium was supported bythe Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofJapan and the Japan Ruling PartiesParliamentary League for Islam.

UNU, OIC hold international symposium on Islam

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European Union is innovative, and ithas led to a complex multi-levelgovernance system with deepcooperation between states, adevolution of power within states anda strong international legalframework. This has created apolitical model, often called “the newregionalism,” that challengesassumptions about governance allover the world.

Of course, European integrationcannot be seen as the “model” for therest of the world. But the underlyingidea of multi-dimensional regionalintegration that implies cooperationalong a number of differentdimensions, such as culture, politics,security, economics and diplomacy,deserves to be taken seriously in allpolitical and economic efforts toachieve stability and prosperity in agiven region. It is also clear that thenew regionalism has consequences formultilateralism. The European Unionhas “only” observer status at the UN,but meanwhile it is party to over 50multilateral agreements concludedunder its auspices!

Right from its origins, the UN hasstruggled with the question of whatplace supranational regionalorganizations should and could take inachieving the UN goals. On the onehand, there is the position thatregionalism blocks the necessaryglobal and universal approach neededto solve the global problems of today.On the other hand, there is theposition that regionalism can serve inrealizing the overall UN goals. In myview, the latter position is indeed theone to be defended if one believes thatmultilateralism has to be the mainorganizing principle of the worldorder. New regionalism can play amajor role in providing the necessarylegitimacy for multilateralism, as it isa mechanism that (i) allows smallcountries to have a voice next to largecountries and (ii) allows poorcountries to integrate more easily inthe world economy. Also, regionalismcan be a way of harnessing the largercountries (superpowers) to recognizetheir responsibility in playing aconstructive role in their region.

Regionalism does not necessarilycontradict the universalistic positionof the United Nations. It may beconsidered, rather, as an attempt to“channel” globalization at an optimal

policy level. Global governancestructures may not operate so readilyto reflect the interests of individualcountries, while national-level andUN-level (global) responses may beineffective. But if the answer isregionalism, then a mechanism needsto be found that enables smallcountries – developing countries aswell as “superpowers” – to exerciseequal weight in decision-makingprocesses. Belgian Prime MinisterVerhofstadt recently formulated aproposal for such a mechanism: hisidea is to convert the G8 into a“network of the big regionalcontinental organizations.” In thatframework, Verhofstadt is thinkingabout a club of regional groupings,such as the European Union,Mercosur, ASEAN, etc. In such aclub, the African Union could havethe same weight as, for example,NAFTA. And each regional groupingshould act as a forum to balance smalland big countries’ interests. As onecan imagine, there are lots of criticaland practical objections to such aproposal, such as: Who is going tostipulate who can become member ofwhat club? Will the small countrieswithin each of these regionalgroupings have enough say? Will anyalliances be created that again containthe classical North-Southcontradictions?

However, the idea of Verhofstadtdeserves to be taken seriously, as itcorresponds to the reality of today –namely, that regional organizationsare becoming more and moreimportant. But, in my opinion, it is theUnited Nations rather than the G8 thatshould become the forum in which theworld regions can enter into dialoguewith one another. As a matter of fact,this is already foreseen in chapter VIIIof the United Nations Charter,wherein it is mentioned that there is apossibility to work with regionalarrangements or agencies within theUnited Nations.

Today, regions do play a rolewithin the UN system at differentlevels. First, there are the regionalgroupings and caucuses that functionwithin the UN (as institutionalized bythe Charter). Secondly, there areeconomic regional substructures setup by the UN. Thirdly, there are non-UN regional organizations that haveobtained observer status within theUN. And, finally, there is the regional

dimension of the composition of theSecurity Council. Thus, it should bepossible to create, within the UnitedNations, a forum in which worldregions engage in inter-regionaldialogue and where responses toglobalization can be agreed upon on acollective basis, and hence can beexecuted at the level of each of theregions separately. This, however, isnot possible without a profoundrearrangement of the present existingblocs within the United Nations.

My proposal, thus, is to thinkabout a system in which the existingregional actors, such as the EuropeanUnion, become the building stones ofa United Nations forum. This entirelycorresponds with what has been saidin the still very worthwhile report“Our Global Neighbourhood” of theUnited Nations Commission onGlobal Governance – namely, that thechallenge for the development of agood working system of “globalgovernance” consists in enforcingeach other’s global and macro-regional regulations:“Decentralization, delegation and co-operation with regional organs canlighten the burden of globalorganizations, while generating adeeper sense of participation in acommon effort.”

In order to reach an efficientforum where responses toglobalization can be formulated withinthe context of a strategic pursuit of themillennium goals, a “globalgovernance” system needs to coexistwith a mechanism of financial andeconomic support to develop a globalpublic goods policy. My secondproposal, hence, is to create a regionalintegration fund at the level of theUnited Nations. Such an integrationfund can be conceived as aninstrument to facilitate the integrationof small and poorly developedeconomies in an economic space at aregional level. This is not a new idea;it is similar to the so-called structuralfunds already used to guide Europeanintegration (cfr. the Structural andCohesion Funds). Such regionalintegration funds could act asinstruments of solidarity, facilitatingthe emergence of a more stableregional organization of the worldeconomy.

This brings me to my thirdproposal. The worldwide movementtowards more regional cooperation

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and integration may not be restrictedto merely economic integration butneeds to contain enough politicalintegration. As recently argued byProfessor D. Rodrik (HarvardUniversity), economic growth is in thefirst instance dependent on well-functioning institutions thataccompany free trade and secure anefficient functioning of society as awhole. New Regionalism is aboutsuch institution-building at the levelof regions, and it is my belief thatsuch regional integration can besimultaneously a “building block”towards a worldwide-globalized openeconomy as well as a “dike” thatprotects countries from the negativeaspects of globalization.

But, for this to happen, anyregional integration initiative needs toprove its “added value” by taking intoaccount at least the following eightissues. It should:

• contribute to peace and security inthe region;

• contribute to the creation of anappropriate enabling environmentfor private sector development;

• strengthen trade integration in theregion;

• develop strong public sectorinstitutions and good governance;

• reduce social exclusion and fosteran inclusive civil society;

• develop infrastructureprogrammes in support ofeconomic growth and regionalintegration;

• build environment programmes atthe regional level; and

• strengthen the region’s interactionwith other regions in the world.It should also be noted that New

Regionalism has a lot of potentialbenefits for developing countries. Notonly can it contribute to a smooth andgradual integration in the worldeconomy and strengthen their positionin WTO, it also provides a frameworkfor public investments at a regionalscale.

Regional integration can, in myopinion, make a significantcontribution to realizing thechallenges of globalization, while atthe same time helping to overcome theproblems raised by the processes ofworldwide integration. The much-needed regulatory framework forglobalization could be best situated atthe regional level. But, as emphasizedin the above proposals, it should besituated within the framework of theUnited Nations, as an instrument oflegitimizing multilateralism.

For this, we urgently need newideas on regulatory frameworks forglobalization and on the UN’spossible and potential role in shapingand reforming global governance. Oneline of thinking could focus on how anorganization such as the UnitedNations can adapt its procedures inorder to enable an increasedparticipation of regionalorganizations.

On Tuesday, 8 April, a publicforum on “The Future of

Mountains” was held at UN House inTokyo. This forum, the final event inobservance of the International Yearof Mountains 2002 (IYM2002) inJapan, was co-organized by UNU andthe IYM2002 Japan NationalCommittee, with support from TheYomiuri Shimbun, Rolex Japan, TheGreen Fund, the University ofAuckland and the New ZealandEmbassy.

Mountains are precious sources offreshwater and other natural, culturaland recreational resources. However,many mountain ecosystems facesevere pressures from humanpopulation growth, expandingeconomic development activities andenvironmental pollution. The year2002 had been designated as theInternational Year of Mountains bythe United Nations to focus attentionon the critical need for sustainablemountain development. The objectiveof the forum was to reflect upon theaccomplishments of IYM2002 as wellas to promote further actions andresearch to contribute to a betterfuture for humans and for mountains.

A featured participant in the

forum was SirEdmund Hillary,Chairman of theHimalayan Trust(photo), who tookpart in a paneldiscussion via alive video linkagefrom hishometown ofAuckland, NewZealand. On 29May 1953, withTenzing Norgay,Sir Edmund madethe first successfulascent of Mt.Everest. He subsequently lednumerous scientific andmountaineering expeditions in theHimalayas, and has long beenworking to improve the lives of thepeople of the high mountains and toconserve our precious mountainenvironments. Joining Sir Edmund inthe panel discussion on “Everest andBeyond: the Future of Mountains”were mountaineer Junko Tabei andAtsushi Yamada of the University ofTokyo.

Following the panel discussion,alpine photographer Yoshikazu

Shirakawa gave a presentation on“Environment and Peace ofMountains through the Lens.” Mr.Shirakawa has photographedmountains in 137 countries, held over100 exhibitions and published anumber of photographic books. Otherforum speakers included AmbassadorPhillip Gibson of New Zealand; Prof.Masatoshi Yoshino, Special Adviserto the IYM2002 Japan NationalCommittee and UNU; and UNURector Hans van Ginkel.

Forum draws curtain on “International Year of Mountains2002”

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The UNU Inter-linkages Initiative,a project under the Environment

and Sustainable DevelopmentProgramme of the UNU Centre, isprogressing with a series of targetedactivities in 2003. Building upon theJohannesburg World Summit onSustainable Development (WSSD)outcomes, the Inter-linkages Initiativeseeks to develop cohesive responsesto linked environmental problems,especially in the areas of capacitydevelopment, information andknowledge management, andnational/regional support mechanisms.

On 21 January 2003, the initiativeorganized a public forum on “Inter-linkages and EnvironmentalGovernance,” in cooperation withnational and regional organizationsfrom Asia and the Pacific. The forumpresented and discussed results andfuture follow-up activities derivedfrom national and regional casestudies on environmental governancethat were undertaken in 14 nations inAsia and the Pacific by UNU and itspartners in 2001 and 2002. The forumwas followed by a regional workshopin Kuala Lumpur, 24 to 26 March2003. The workshop, co-organizedwith the Association of South EastAsian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariatand other regional partners, focused

on integrated capacity building inSouth East Asia, and produced a set ofrecommendations that were adopted atthe ASEAN Working Group onMEAs (Multilateral EnvironmentalAgreements), which met immediatelyafter the workshop.

In April 2003, UNU finalized thereport of its case study in Papua NewGuinea (PNG), which outlinesfindings and recommendations of astudy undertaken together with thePNG Government. United NationsDevelopment Programme/PNG is alsopaving the way for a Pacific regionalworkshop, slated for late 2003.

Following this, a training coursewas organized on 5 May at the 11thsession of the United NationsCommission on SustainableDevelopment (UNCSD) in New York,as part of the CSD learning centre.The session centred on how inter-linkages can contribute to theimplementation of the WSSD Plan ofAction. It presented both challengesand good practices through practicalexamples of integrated managementand capacity development from Asiaand the Pacific, given by both expertsfrom the UNU and practitioners fromthe ASEAN and Pacific regions.

In June 2003, the UNU alsoinitiated a partnership on integrated

capacity building in the Asia-Pacifictogether with key regional andinternational organizations – ASEANSecretariat, Institute for GlobalEnvironmental Studies (IGES),UNDP-Capacity 2015, UNDP-GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF), UnitedNations Environment Programme(UNEP), United Nations Institute forTraining and Research (UNITAR) andSouth Pacific Regional EnvironmentProgram (SPREP) – to explore waysof coordination and collaboration atthe regional and national levels.Discussions are currently underway todetermine concrete activities forcollaboration.

In July, by invitation of theBhutanese government, UNUundertook its 15th national inter-linkages case study on themanagement of multilateralenvironmental agreements. Afterhaving covered the 10 ASEANmember countries and 4 nations in thePacific, Bhutan is the first South-Asian country studied by theInitiative. UNU intends to expand itswork further to this region in thecoming months.

More information on the casestudies, recent activities and theinitiative in general are availableonline at: http://www.geic.or.jp/.

UNU Inter-linkages Initiative steadily moves forward

On Tuesday, 18 March 2003,UNU hosted a public lecture by

Mr. Festus G. Mogae, President of theRepublic of Botswana (photo). Thelecture, held at UN House in Tokyo,was co-organized by UNU, theEmbassy of the Republic of Botswanaand the Japan Institute of InternationalAffairs, and supported by the Ministryof Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The topic of President Mogae’stalk was “Botswana’s Success Story:Overcoming the Challenges ofDevelopment.” The aim of the lecturewas to enhance public awareness inJapan about the developmentexperience of Botswana, which isinternationally acknowledged as amodel country for democracy, goodgovernance and prudent economicmanagement. President Mogaediscussed the factors underlying

Botswana’s success and the nation’scontinuing challenges, including geo-political and environmental factors,human resource development andhealth, and other critical developmentissues. He also addressed Africa’spriorities and constraints.

An important sub-theme ofPresident Mogae’s address was“Diamonds for Development” – boththe critical role that diamonds haveplayed in Botswana’s development,and the “Kimberley Process” to rid theworld of so-called “conflictdiamonds” and secure the interests oflegitimate diamond exporters such asBotswana, which is the world’snumber one producer (by value) ofgem diamonds.

President Mogae trained as aneconomist at the Universities ofOxford and Sussex in the UK and has

served his country in a number of keypositions, including positions with theInternational Monetary Fund andBank of Botswana as well as variousgovernment posts. He became thethird President of the Republic ofBotswana in 1998 and is one of the 15African Presidents on the NewPartnership for African Development(NEPAD) Committee.

UNU hosts lecture by President of Botswana

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P rofessor Ahmed H. Zewail(photo), 1999 Nobel Prize winner

in Chemistry, delivered the 5th “UThant Distinguished Lecture” onTuesday, 15 April 2003, at UN Housein Tokyo. Professor Zewail discussedhis views on “The Future of OurWorld.”

Prof. Zewail holds more than 100Prizes and Awards, Orders of Merit,and Orders of State from around the

world. In this home country of Egypt,he received the Grand Collar of theNile, the highest state honour. In1999, he was awarded a Nobel Prizefor his groundbreaking work in thedevelopment of the new field offemtoscience, making it possible toobserve the movement of individualatoms in a femtosecond (a millionth ofa billionth of a second). Thisdevelopment, which literally changedour view of matter, holds greatpromise in the areas of hightechnology and life sciences.

Professor Zewail is currently theLinus Pauling Chair Professor ofChemistry and Professor of Physicsand the Director of the Laboratory forMolecular Sciences at the CaliforniaInstitute of Technology (Caltech),Pasadena, California. Besides writingon various scientific subjects, he hasbeen giving lectures around the worldon his vision of a new world order,which provides concrete courses ofaction to benefit the growing

population of have-nots. Prof. Zewail’s lecture was jointly

organized by UNU, the UNU Instituteof Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS) andthe Science Council of Japan.

The U Thant DistinguishedLecture series is a forum throughwhich leading thinkers speak on therole of the United Nations inaddressing the challenges facing theworld in the twenty-first century.Previous speakers in this lecture serieshave been Dr. Mahathir binMohamad, Prime Minister ofMalaysia; Mr. Thabo Mbeki,President of the Republic of SouthAfrica; Mr. William J. Clinton, formerPresident of the United States ofAmerica, and Dr. Norman Borlaug,1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner andFather of the Green Revolution.

For more information about the UThant Distunguished Lecture Seriesand its speakers, seehttp://www.unu.edu/uthant_lectures/index.htm on the UNU website.

Prof. Ahmed Zewail gives 5th “U Thant DistinguishedLecture”

In countries such as China, Russiaand India, as well as in most

developing and transition economies,there is a sense that spatial andregional inequalities (of economicactivity, incomes and socialindicators) are sharply increasing.Such disparities take on addedsignificance when they align withpolitical and ethnic tensions toundermine social and politicalstability. There is also a generalperception that growing internalspatial inequality is related toglobalization and the greater opennessof economies.

Yet, despite such concerns, therehas been little systematic, coherentresearch conducted on changes inspatial and regional inequality overthe past decade or two. As a result,our understanding of the determinantsof spatial disparities in today’sglobalizing world remainsinsufficient.

On 28 and 29 March, over thirtyeconomists and experts from around

the world met at UNU in Tokyo todiscuss the rising income inequalitiesand spatial disparities in Asia, andtheir impacts on human well-beingand security. This “SpatialInequalities in Asia” conference,organized by the UNU World Institutefor Development Economics(UNU/WIDER), was one of a seriesof conferences focusing on regionaldisparities in human development.

The objective of the conferencewas to address issues of spatialinequality as they relate to the Asianexperience. The conference provideda venue at which experts from aroundthe world could interact with theAsian academic and policycommunities. Participants analyzedand discussed spatial inequality inAsia and its determinants, includingthe distribution of such variables aseconomic activity, economicstructure, population, income, socialindicators, infrastructure and publicexpenditure.

Individual conference sessions on

28 March focused on “SpatialInequality in China,” “Inequality andConflict,” “Poverty and Inequality inIndia” and “Poverty in Asia.” Sessionson 29 March considered “Locationand Migration,” “Trade andInequality,” “Spatial Inequality inAsia” and “Spatial Inequality in theFormer Soviet Union.”

The conference featured a publiclecture by Professor Ravi Kanbur ofCornell University, a former WorldBank senior official and co-director ofthe UNU/WIDER spatial inequalitystudy. Prof. Kanbar provided acomprehensive review of therelationship between spatial inequalityand economic development.

UNU/WIDER has been in theforefront of inequality research, andmaintains a comprehensive WorldIncome Inequality Database with datafrom 151 countries. This database isavailable online athttp://www.wider.unu.edu.

UNU/WIDER conference focuses on regional economicdisparities in Asia

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Global Virtual University goes online

The Global Virtual University(GVU), an online university for

sustainable development, is the latestaddition to UNU’s internationallearning. The GVU was officiallylaunched in September 2002 at theWorld Summit on SustainableDevelopment in Johannesburg, wherethe Norwegian Government, UNUand United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) pledged theirsupport.

Targeting the educational needsof the developing world, GVU wentonline on 21 January with a first-draft

web course, concept description andbackground reports. The GVU isbeing implemented by a corepartnership between UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Agder University Collegeand UNU. These partners will worktogether to establish an internationalnetwork of cooperating universitieswith UNEP/GRID-Arendal in Norwayacting as host.

“The GVU is a major pilot projectthat shows how we can reach outacross the world in practice, and howwe can present the best knowledge inan optimal combination of the high-

quality audio-visual learningmaterials with face-to-facesupport,” said UNU RectorHans van Ginkel. “UsingInternet broadcasting andstimulating, at the same time,intense human interaction, theGVU aims to be the learninginstitution for a sustainablefuture with a worldwidereach.”

The GVU will offereducation for the commonfuture, providing scientificknowledge to support prudentmanagement of theenvironment and helping tomap out national and regionalpathways to sustainabledevelopment. It will help toincrease people’s sensitivity toand involvement in finding

solutions for environmental anddevelopment problems, developexpertise to understand the potentialand limits of the environment, andfoster ethical awareness, values andattitudes. Courseware is beingdeveloped by a collaborative, globalnetwork of academic institutions, andthe online studies will focus on theneeds of developing countries.

More information about theGlobal Virtual network is availableonline at http://www.gvu.unu.edu/.

On Monday, 31 March 2003,UNU launched a new Media

Studio at UN House in Tokyo. TheMedia Studio, jointly established byUNU, Keio University, the LEADJapan Programme and Cisco SystemsK.K., functions as a node in a globalnetwork designed to raise publicawareness and disseminate researchfindings on pressing global issues. Itsupports online learning activitiesimplemented by UNU and its partners,and provides access to the nextgeneration of broadcasting for anetwork of universities in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe.

The Media Studio includes anumber of advanced elements, such as

support for multicast networking, real-time and post non-linear video editing,and video-over-IP. It is envisaged thatit will eventually provide a full rangeof services, including IP/Internetbroadcasting, video-on-demand, real-time streaming, e-learning andinteractive communication on variousbroadband infrastructure. Thecollaborating partners will alsoundertake research activities in theMedia Studio to explore the potentialfor developing next-generationbroadcasting technology that wouldenable highly scalable videostreaming of live, project-basedmaterials, thus permitting researchersin the field, for example, to

disseminate video materials withinformation on the state of theenvironment in different parts of theworld. Whenever possible, eventsfrom UNU in Tokyo will be broadcaston the Internet via the Media Studio.

A reception to mark the launch ofthe Media Studio was held on 31March. The event featured speechesby UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel,Professor Kimio Uno of KeioUniversity, and Mr. ToshihikoYamato, Director of Cisco SystemsK.K. A demonstration illustrated theuse of Video-over-IP technologies,with support from Cisco SystemsK.K., MEMEX and KyoshinTechnosonic.

UNU launches Media Studio

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The “Kids’ ISO 14000 Programme”is organized and operated through

the initiative of Tokyo-based NGOArTech (International Arts &Technology CooperationOrganization) and supported by UNU,the UN Environment Programme andISO (a network of national standardsinstitutes from 145 countries). Startedin 2000 in Japan, the “Kid’sISO14000 Programme” – previouslyknown as the “Kids EMS(Environmental Management System)Programme” – has spread around theworld. The aims of the programme areto foster environmental awareness,train children in proper environmentalmanagement, and create aninternational network through whichchildren can work together to help

preserve the environment. The number of the children who

have taken the two-week introductorylevel of this programme has exceeded40,000 in Japan, with many of themproceeding on to the primary level ofthe programme. When a childcompletes the programme’s primarylevel, which consists of 2 months’work on household environmentalmanagement in cooperation with anadult family member, he or shereceives an international certificatefrom the international committee ofArTech. Typical primary-levelactivities are saving energy (byreducing household consumption ofgas and electricity), eliminatingunnecessary water usage and reducingquantities of household trash.

On 30 November 2002, thesecond International CertificateAward Ceremony was held at UNHouse in Tokyo, supported by theMinistry of Education, Culture,Sciences and Sports, the Ministry ofEnvironment and Tokyo MetropolitanGovernment. At this ceremony, 174children received the certificates, andthe top performer received the TokyoMetropolitan Governor’s Award.

Results and future plans of the“Kids’ ISO 14000 Programme” werepresented at the 3rd World WaterForum in Kyoto in March 2003 andalso at the ISO Conference onNetworking in Ottawa, Canada, inMay.

“Kids’ ISO 14000 Programme” holds award ceremony

Norwegian Prime Minister gives 2003 “Nansen MemorialLecture”

On 27 May, UNU, in cooperationwith the Royal Norwegian

Embassy and the Japanese Ministry ofForeign Affairs, hosted the 2003Fridtjof Nansen Memorial Lecture.The lecturer was Kjell MagneBondevik (photo), Prime Minister ofNorway, who spoke on the topic of“Challenges for Peace andReconciliation in the 21st Century.”

Prime Minister Bondevik hasbeen heading his second cabinet since2001, having previously served asPrime Minister of Norway from1997–2000. He has been a member ofthe Storting (Parliament) since 1973,and has served as Minister of Churchand Education, Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister of Foreign Affairs aswell as being a member of theStorting’s standing committee ondefence affairs and standingcommittee of foreign affairs.

In his talk, Prime MinisterBondevik focused on Norway’s roleand position in peace andreconciliation efforts, and inpromoting human rights anddemocracy in many parts of the world.He emphasized the importance of theUN and multilateral cooperation, andalso discussed Norwegian-Japaneseexperiences in Afghanistan and SriLanka and the continuing cooperationbetween Norway and Japan.

FollowingPrime MinisterBondevik’slecture, Mr.YasushiAkashi,Representativeof theGovernment ofJapan on Peace-Building,RehabilitationandReconstructionin Sri Lankaand formerUnited NationsUnder-Secretary-General forHumanitarianAffairs, spokebriefly aboutthe conflicts and tensions – withethnic, cultural or religiousundertones, and exacerbated by“globalization” – that have beset theworld in the past decade. In theendeavour to peacefully mediate andsettle such disputes, he said, Norwayand Japan have much to contribute.

The Fridtjof Nansen MemorialLecture is held annually in a numberof capitals around the world tocommemorate the life of Norwegian

explorer, scientist, humanist andNobel laureate Fridjtof Nansen(1861–1930). Nansen, who undertookseveral expeditions to the Arctic,served as Norwegian Delegate to theLeague of Nations and as Rector of St.Andrew’s University in Scotland. In1922, he was awarded the NobelPeace Prize for his achievements asHigh Commissioner for Refugees ofthe League of Nations.

10

C lean water, so essential to humansurvival, is becoming

increasingly scarce. Yet despite thepressures on this crucial resource,people often have little or noopportunity to participate in watersheddecisions that affect them, particularlywhen they live along internationalwatercourses.

The United Nations recentlyidentified rising demand for water asone of four major factors that willthreaten human and ecological healthfor at least a generation. Over thecoming decade, governmentsthroughout the world will struggle tomanage water in ways that areefficient, equitable andenvironmentally sound. Whether theseefforts succeed may depend, in largepart, on providing the public with avoice in watershed managementdecisions that directly affect them.

The crisis is especially acute ininternational water basins, whereenvironmental, social and politicalproblems are mounting due to theincreasing pressures of economicdevelopment and competition forscarce resources. Worldwide, there aremore than 200 transboundary watersystems, including most of the world’sgreatest freshwater bodies.

On 18 and 19 April, in

Charlottesville, Virginia, UNU joinedwith six other institutions – theEnvironmental Law Institute,America’s Clean Water Foundation,the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, the US Department ofState, the University of VirginiaSchool of Law and the USEnvironmental Protection Agency – toconvene a symposium on “ImprovingPublic Participation and Governancein International WatershedManagement.” This symposiumbrought together water managers,international lawyers, governmentofficials, and other experts fromaround the world to discuss successfulmechanisms for ensuring:

• that people have access toinformation about watercoursesand factors that could impactthem;

• that those who may be affectedhave the opportunity to participatein decisions regarding thewatercourse; and

• that the public can seek redresswhen they are affected byactivities in an internationalwatercourse. More than 100 participants from

five continents sought to identifysuccessful mechanisms, approachesand practices for promoting public

involvement in internationalwatershed management. Theyexamined conditions that can facilitateor hinder public involvement as wellas contextual factors that could limittransference of experiences from onewatershed to another. Symposiumsessions focused specifically on:

• the role of public participation indecision-making;

• specific tools for facilitatingaccess to information and publicparticipation in internationalwatercourse management;

• public involvement ininternational financial institutions;

• public involvement ininternational watercourses;

• public involvement in trans-boundary watercourses in Africa;and

• experiences in managing sub-national watersheds. There was also a special technical

session on “Tools for a VirtualCommunity.”

The symposium was one of thecomponents of the UNU Centreinitiative on International River andLakes Basins Management. For moreinformation on this initiative, seehttp://www.unu.edu/env/water/transboundary-water.html.

Symposium looks at public participation in internationalwatershed management

On Tuesday, 13 May, UNU andthe African Diplomatic Corps in

Japan (ADC) co-hosted the 2003Africa Day Symposium. The theme ofthe symposium, held at UN House inTokyo, was “The Role ofInfrastructure in the Development andIntegration of Africa.”

The symposium’s keynotespeaker was President AbdoulayeWade of Senegal (photo). Otherspeakers included Torao Tokuda(House of Representatives, Japan),Shunji Yanai (professor, ChuoUniversity), and representatives of G8and the Government of Japan. AbdouAziz Sow (Minister in Charge ofNEPAD, Senegal) chaired a paneldiscussion on the topic of financinginfrastructure projects.

The focus of 2003 Africa Day

was on ways to strengthen the linkbetween the three concepts ofinfrastructures, integration anddevelopment. “Infrastructures” is abroad concept that encompassesboth physical structures (such asrailways, roads and buildings) andsocial infrastructures (such aseducation, health and governancesystems). The 2003 Africa DaySymposium highlighted theimportance of both of these types ofinfrastructures in achievingdevelopment goals.

The 2003 Africa DaySymposium provided input for the G8Summit being held in Evian, France,in June 2003, as well as for the ThirdTokyo International Conference onAfrican Development (TICAD III),scheduled for September/October

2003. Building on the successes of the

previous Africa Day Symposiums inTokyo, the ADC and UNU haveagreed to establish the Africa DaySymposium as an annual event.

UNU, ADC host Africa Day symposium

11

The 3rd World Water Forum(WWF3), regarded as the most

important international water meetingever, was held in three neighbouringJapanese prefectures (Kyoto, Shigaand Osaka) from 16–23 March. UNUplayed a key role at WWF3 and wasinvolved in organizing a number ofsessions at the forum.

Some 24,000 participants from182 countries attended the eight-dayforum, which comprised 351 separatesessions on 38 interlocking themesdealing with water. The key issuesaddressed at the forum revolvedaround how to balance increasinghuman requirements for adequatewater supplies and improved healthand sanitation with food production,transportation, energy andenvironmental needs, at a time whenmany countries require more effectivegovernance, improved capacity andadequate financing.

According to William J.Cosgrove, Vice President of theWorld Water Council (one of the mainconveners of the triennial WorldWater Forums), WWF3 “was a uniqueopportunity to form partnerships, joinnetworks and learn from theexperience of others.” Participants, he

said, agreed that “community levelpublic participation is fundamental toachieving” water-related goals, andthat the “common basic requirementfor water is an opportunity forcooperation and peace.”

More than 100 commitments werereached during the forum. Of these,more than 20 were related to climatewhile 13 pertained to gender issues.

Experts from UNU’sEnvironment and SustainableDevelopment Programme and theUNU International Network on Water,Environment and Health(UNU/INWEH) led and participatedin numerous discussions. UNU RectorHans van Ginkel spoke at the UNU-organized session on “Technologicaland Policy Dimensions of ArsenicContamination in the Asia Region,”and chaired the opening plenarysession on March 18, which wasdesignated “Asia and Pacific Day.”The Rector also delivered the keynotelecture in a session devoted to“Emerging Water Issues at theBeginning of the Third Millennium.”

UNU/INWEH Director RalphDaley delivered a keynote address on“Integrated, Demand-ResponsiveCapacity Development” during a

session on “Water, Education andCapacity Building.” Zafar Adeel,Academic Programme Officer of theUNU Environment and SustainableDevelopment Programme, alsodelivered a lecture during that session.UNU Press was present at the forumwith a display of its publications.

For more information on UNU’sparticipation in the 3rd World WaterForum and other UNU andUNU/INWEH water projects, seehttp://www.unu.edu/wwf/index.htm.

3rd World Water Forum sees 100 new commitments

On Thursday, 10 April, UNU andthe Presidency of the European

Union (EU) jointly hosted a publicseminar to mark the impendingenlargement of the European Unionfrom 15 to 25 member states. Theseminar, entitled “The EuropeanUnion Fifth Enlargement: The NewChallenge of the Unification Process,”was held in the U Thant InternationalConference Hall of the UN House inTokyo.

The seminar included addressesby UNU Rector Prof. Hans vanGinkel, Ambassador KyriakosRodoussakis (Greece, current holderof the EU Presidency), AmbassadorBernhard Zepter (Head of the EUCommission Delegation) andAmbassador Gabriele Menegatti,(Italy, next holder of the EUPresidency). Also featured at theseminar were a short film on the EU

enlargement process and a paneldiscussion participated in by theTokyo-based ambassadors of theacceding countries to the EU. Areception was held immediatelyfollowing the seminar.

The formal signing ceremony ofthe Accession Treaty was held inAthens, Greece, on 16 April. The 10nations joining the EU are Cyprus, theCzech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland,Slovakia and Slovenia. This fifthenlargement is the EU’s biggestexpansion ever in terms of scope anddiversity, and represents a historicopportunity to unite Europe peacefullyafter generations of division andconflict as well as to consolidate therecent political and economictransition that has taken place inCentral and Eastern Europe.

Seminar at UNU marks EU’s fifthenlargement

UNU hosts JuniorUnited NationEco-Workshop

On 23–24 November, UNU hostedthe Junior United Nations Eco-

Workshop International Conference2002 at UN House in Tokyo. The aimof this two-day educational workshop,sponsored by the Association for thePromotion of the Junior UnitedNations Eco-Workshop and co-sponsored by the UNU, was to preparethe youth of today to better deal withthe environmental challenges that willface their generation tomorrow byproviding them with an opportunity toconsider environmental problems atboth global and personal levels, and toencourage them to think creativelyabout how we can resolve ourenvironmental problems.

Speakers at the Junior UnitedNations Eco-Workshop includedenvironmental cartoonist Prof. HiroshiTakatsuki (Kyoto University), whodiscussed waste and pollution issues;naturalist Mr. Kevin Short, who talkedabout nature preservation; and Prof.Hideki Nakahara (Musashi Institute ofTechnology), who discussedsustainable consumption. A livelydialogue ensued between the speakersand participants (age 12 to 18) inquestion and answer sessions androundtable discussions. On theafternoon of the first day, participantsdivided into small working groups,facilitated by young environmentalleaders from various NGOs andinternational organizations, toconsider the key issues in greaterdepth. Group activities includedinformal discussion, debate, role-playing and brainstorming.

12

The Ubuntu Group, a strategicalliance between the world’s

leading education, science andtechnology organizations workingtoward achieving the goals ofsustainable development, held its firstworking meeting at UNU Centre inTokyo on 16 April. The UbuntuGroup comprises representatives ofthe organizations that signed theUbuntu Declaration – an agreement inwhich members pledged to promotesustainable development througheducation at all levels – at the WorldSummit on Sustainable Developmentin Johannesburg last year. Signatoriesalso committed to strengthening theuse of science and technology forsustainable development in education.

The group begins as a looselyorganized consortium that willgradually define itself as it developscollaborative work and actions. Aninterim secretariat will be establishedwithin the UNU Institute of AdvancedStudies (UNU/IAS) to compilematerials, act as an information-

clearing house and serve to focus thegroup’s activities. The projects andfunctions of the Ubuntu Group will bedistributed among the membership,with each member lending itsstrengths and expertise to pertinentissues. Membership remains open,with the goal of targeting networkorganizations as new members whileendeavouring to achieve a regionalbalance of member organizations.

As their contribution to the workplan endorsed by the meeting, UNUand UNU/IAS will:

• offer its Global Virtual Universityand Internet Media Studio forpromotion of learning material onsustainable development,

• offer its offices as an interimsecretariat, and

• cooperate in developing a“training the trainers” course onsustainable developmenteducation for universityprofessors. Members agreed at the meeting to

collaborate on:

• developing an Ubuntu PrizeRewarding Excellence in HigherEducation for SustainableDevelopment,

• working collaboratively topromote the ideals and goals ofthe group,

• creating publicity and promotionmaterials as a group,

• defining a draft substantiveprogramme for discussion, and

• considering new membership andtransmiting suggestions to theinterim secretariat. Signatories to the Ubuntu

Declaration are UNU, UNESCO,International Association ofUniversities, Third World Academyof Sciences, African Academy ofScience, Science Council of Asia,International Council for Science,World Federation of EngineeringOrganizations, Copernicus-Campus,Global Higher Education forSustainability Partnership, andUniversity Leaders for a SustainableFuture.

Ubuntu Group holds first working session at UNU

On Friday, 4 April 2003, fiveUNU-Kirin Fellows who

completed a year-long trainingprogramme in advanced food scienceand technology at Japan’s NationalFood Research Institute (NFRI) inTsukuba were presented withcertificates of completion. The awardceremony and presentation of researchresults was held in the Elizabeth RoseConference Hall at UN House inTokyo.

The event included a presentationsession in which the 2002–2003

UNU-Kirin Fellows – Dr. SunitaGrover and Dr. KodthaluSeetharamaiah Shivashankara (India),Ms. Guan Guohua (China), Ms.Apinya Chudhangkura (Thailand), andMs. Odbayar Tsiei-Oidov (Mongolia)– gave a summary of their researchresults. Their presentations werefollowed by the award ceremony,which featured congratulatoryremarks by UNU Rector Hans vanGinkel, President Koichiro Aramakiof Kirin Brewery Company Ltd., andNFRI President and General Director

Tateo Suzuki. Each Fellow received acertificate of completion and acommemorative gift.

The event closed with a briefintroduction of the five 2003–2004Kirin Fellows (from China, India (2),Thailand and Viet Nam), who begantheir training at NFRI on 1 April.

The UNU-Kirin FellowshipProgramme has been operating sinceApril 1993 with annual contributionsfrom Japan’s Kirin BreweryCompany. The Fellowships enablefive top scientists from developingcountries in Asia to come to Japaneach year for a full year of researchand training in the latest techniques offood science and technology at NFRI.An effective and innovative feature ofthe Kirin sponsorship is that it alsoprovides financial support to the homeinstitutions of the UNU-KirinFellows, thereby enabling them tocontinue their research and teach theirfellow countrymen when they returnhome. The goal of the programme isto build up the capacity of foodresearch institutions throughout Asia.

Award ceremony held for UNU-Kirin Fellows

13

On 5–6 November, the UNUInstitute of Advanced Studies

(UNU/IAS) hosted the Katoomba VConference at the UN House inTokyo. The theme of this internationalconference was “Capturing the Valueof Ecosystem Services: DevelopingMarkets for Environmental Assets.”

“Katoomba” is the name given tothe series of meetings on sustainableforest management that was launchedin Katoomba, Australia, in April 2000.Katoomba V, the fifth in the series,was the first major Japan-based eventspecifically addressing the businesspotential offered by forest ecosystems.The conference focused on newmarkets and opportunities related tocarbon and the Kyoto Protocol’sClean Development Mechanism,biodiversity and ecosystem-basedwater management, as well asopportunities for socially responsibleinvestment in ecosystem servicesenterprises.

The meeting was attended byrepresentatives of forestry and financecompanies, environmental policy andresearch organizations, governmentalagencies, and private and nonprofit

groups. Participants reviewed thelatest concepts in developing marketsfor ecosystem services; examinedinternational case studies on marketsinvolving ecosystem assets andservices; identified potential partnersand investments associated withemerging markets for carbon, watermanagement and biodiversity habitat;explored the risks to investors arisingecosystem degradation; and debatedthe future interplay of financial andenvironmental interests.

Keynote speakers at theconference were Minoru Makihara(Chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation)and Phil Cottle (Partner, ReAgricultural Services).Representatives from corporations inJapan and abroad, internationalorganizations and governments spokeat conference sessions on “GreenInvestment Opportunities in Asia,”and “Environmental InvestmentOpportunities in Asia.”

Katoomba V was organized byThe Katoomba Group and ForestTrends, a US-based nonprofitorganization.

UNU/IAS hosts conference on businesspotential of forest ecosystems

On 24–26 March 2003, UNU, incooperation with the

Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) Secretariat, theInstitute for Global EnvironmentalStrategies (IGES), the Institute ofStrategic and International Studies(ISIS) Malaysia, and the MalaysianMinistry of Science, Technology andEnvironment (MOSTE), organized aregional workshop on “Inter-linkagesand Integrated Capacity Developmentin ASEAN” in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Building upon UNU’sInter-linkages Initiative and the draftcase study in ASEAN member statesundertaken jointly with the ASEANSecretariat and ISIS, the workshoppromoted integrated, functionalcapacity development on cross-cuttingissues.

Workshop participants exploredopportunities for, and constraints to,

strengthening cooperation and mutualsupportiveness of environmentalagreements in the ASEAN region,both in scale(national/regional/global) and acrossissues (biodiversity, climate change,chemicals, etc.). The focus was onpromoting coordinated capacitydevelopment via a functionalapproach, wherein multiple but relatedissues can be dealt withsimultaneously and at a fraction of thecost of separate trainings.

The workshop’s plenary sessionsfeatured presentations on cross-cuttingand functional issues related toMultilateral EnvironmentalAgreements (MEAs) by invitedspeakers from MEA secretariats,international organizations andregional inter-governmentalorganizations. Three working groupsbased on the thematic clusters of

MEAs – climate-related conventions,biodiversity-related conventions andchemicals-related conventions –discussed (i) institutionalarrangements, legislation, policies andstrategies, (ii) informationmanagement and (iii) capacitydevelopment and resourcing.

This workshop was supported bythe Ministry of the Environment ofJapan.

Workshop looks at integrated capacity development inASEAN

UNU mournsdeath of IISTdirector

P rof. Armando Haeberer,director of the UNU

International Institute forSoftware Technology(UNU/IIST) in Macao, collapsedand died on 11 February while ona ferry trip from Macao to HongKong. Prof. Haeberer hadpreviously suffered a heart attackand was being treated at hospitalsin Macao and Hong Kong.

Prof. Haeberer’s first contactwith UNU/IIST was in 1995,when he organized cooperationbetween UNU/IIST and theBrazilian National ResearchCouncil. He joined the UNU/IISTboard in 1998, and served as itschairman from 1999 to 2002. Hehad taken up the office of directoron 1 November 2002.

Prof. Haeberer was born inArgentina in 1947. Hisprofessional career spanned bothacademic research and industrialR&D. He had worked inArgentina, Brazil, Germany,Portugal and the UK, and taughtat universities in Argentina andBrazil. Recently, he was a visitingprofessor of King’s CollegeLondon.

Conflict Prevention: Path to Peace or Grand Illusion?Edited by David Carment and Albrecht Schnabel

Conflict Prevention evaluates the institutionalrecord on conflict prevention, identifies currenttrends in conflict prevention practice, and makesrecommendations on improving organizationalcapacity. Part 1 addresses the question of whatconstitutes successful conflict prevention. Part 2reflects on how existing mechanisms andinstruments for conflict prevention can beproperly evaluated and improved, and howinformational and analytical needs can be used toenhance the quality of conflict analysis and its policyrelevance. The book concludes with a consideration of the efforts andchallenges of building regional capacity in the developing world.

ISBN 92-808-1081-2; US$33.00

Democratization in the Middle East: Experiences, Struggles,ChallengesEdited by Amin Saikal and Albrecht Schnabel

Recent movement towards political, economicand cultural liberalization has broughtinstability and violence to the Middle East,with traditional and religious values clashingwith secular ethics, norms and practices. Thisbook addresses a number of key issues that willdetermine the success or failure of sustainabledemocratization in the region, drawing onconceptual and country analyses to examinevarious aspects of the democratization process.

The contributors conclude that to be successful, the process must begradual.

ISBN 92-808-1085-5; US$21.95

From Civil Strife to Civil Society: Civil and Military Responsibilitiesin Disrupted StatesEdited by William Maley, Charles Sampford and Ramesh Thakur

From Civil Strife to Civil Society explores thechallenges that the UN, its Member States, andNGOs face in delivering humanitarianassistance or acting as agents of political, socialor civic reconstruction in disrupted states. Itrigorously examines the dimensions of statedisruption and the roles of the internationalcommunity in responding to it; looks at militarydoctrine for dealing with disorder andhumanitarian emergencies; considersmechanisms for ending violence and delivering post-conflict justice;and investigates the problems of rebuilding trust, promotingdemocracy, reconstituting the rule of law, and re-establishing socialand civil order.

ISBN 92-808-1070-7; US$33.00

States, Markets, and Just Growth: Development in the Twenty-firstCenturyEdited by Atul Kohli, Chung-in Moon and Georg Sorensen

This book explores the common concerns ofdeveloping countries in the quest for justgrowth, while also emphasizing special regionalneeds. The opening chapters provide a syntheticoverview of the pressing shared imperatives ofglobalization, democracy, poverty andinequality, while the chapters that followanalyse the record of different regions andcountries in achieving just growth.

ISBN 92-808-1076-6; US$21.95

International Waters in Southern AfricaEdited by Mikiyasu Nakayama

Sharing of water resources among basincountries often results in dispute, both inenvironmental and security contexts. With alarge disparity in availability of water betweenits relatively wet northern part and drier south,southern Africa is one of the world’s mostcritical regions in terms of water management.Editor Mikiyasu Nakayama was involved inestablishing a basin-wide management schemefor the Zambezi river system. This book

examines the political complexities that hindered development of anaction plan, and the risks and opportunities for water management intoday’s political environment.

ISBN 92-808-1077-4; US$21.95

Regional Peacekeepers: The Paradox of Russian PeacekeepingEdited by John Mackinlay and Peter Cross

Even after the Soviet Union disintegrated, Russia continued in the1990s to maintain its longstanding obligations and strategic interests.This book investigates the Russian military presence in former Sovietterritory to determine whether these forces have beengenuinely peacekeeping or are, in fact, a post-imperial presence thatseeks to maintain former strategic interests. It includes first-handaccounts of CIS peacekeeping efforts in South Ossetia, Abkhazia,Moldova and Tajikistan juxtaposed with assessments of Russianpeacekeeping efforts in Chechnya.

ISBN 92-808-1079-0; US$26.95

14

New from UNU Press

The UNU Press has more than 200 titles in print, covering awide range of subjects including vital issues in the fields of theenvironment and sustainable resource development, peace andgovernance, economic and social development, and regionalstudies. Inquiries about books or requests for the current UNUPress Publications Catalogue should be addressed to theMarketing and Sales Unit (fax: +81-3-3406-7345; e-mailsales@hq.unu.edu).

See http://www.unu.edu/unupress/ for catalogues of newand backlist books and related information.

15

Recent UNU activities

2003

16 January, Tokyo: EU-UNU Tokyo GlobalForum on “Children in Turmoil: Rights ofthe Child in the Midst of Human Insecurity”(UNU & Delegation of the EuropeanCommission in Japan)

17 January, Tokyo: InternationalSymposium on “Globally-IntegratedEnvironmental Assessment Modeling” andFormal Launch of the GLEAM Forum

21 January, Tokyo: Public Forum on “Inter-linkages and Environmental Governance –National and Regional Strategies and WaysForward in Asia and the Pacific” (UNU,ASEAN Secretariat, et al.)

26–31 January, Kwangju, Republic ofKorea, and Hadano, Japan: InternationalWorkshop on “Regional EnvironmentalQuality in the East Asian CoastalHydrosphere: Environmental QualityGuidelines and Capacity Development”(UNU, KJIST, et al.)

5–6 February, Dhaka, Bangladesh: BUET-UNU International Symposium on “Fate ofArsenic in the Environment”

12 February, Maastricht: Book Launch:“Government, Innovation and TechnologyPolicy: An International ComparativeAnalysis” (UNU/INTECH)

12–13 February, Tokyo: Workshop on “UNPeace Operations in the Asia Pacific Region”(UNU & IDSS, Singapore)

17 February, Brussels: Book Launch:“Reforming Africa’s Institutions: Towards aDomestic Response” (UNU/WIDER)

24–25 February, Shiga, Japan: World LakeVision Plenary Meeting (UNU, ILEC,UNEP, et al.)

25 February–22 March, Neuquen,Argentina: School on “Component-basedSoftware Development for College andUniversity Teachers and Developers fromLatin America” (UNU/IIST & UniversidadNacional del Comahue, Argentina)

26–27 February, Maastricht: InternationalWorkshop on “Building (Bio)pharmaceuticalSystems in Developing Countries”(UNU/INTECH)

6 March, Tokyo: 2003 InternationalWomen’s Day – “Women’s Empowerment:the Key to Achieving the MillenniumDevelopment Goals” (UN agencies in Japan)

6 March, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHResearch Seminar on “The New CompetitiveAdvantage: Lessons for DevelopingCountries”

11 March, Geneva: Joint UNU/IAS-UNCTAD Policy Dialogue on“Biotechnology Applications and Trade”

13–14 March, Accra, Ghana: UNU/INRAAnnual Lectures

16–23 March, Kyoto, Shiga, Osaka: The 3rdWorld Water Forum (UNU/IAS, JSWE,

MOE/J, IGES)

17 March, Tokyo: Symposium on “What isEexpected of United Nations DiplomacyNow? – Seeking Peace and Prosperity in the21st Century” (UNU, MOFA/J & YomiuriShimbun)

18 March, Tokyo: Public Lecture on“Botswana’s Success Story – Overcomingthe Challenges of Development” (UNU,Embassy of Botswana, JIIA)

21 March, Montreal: Review Meeting ofPost-MYPOW (Multi-Year Programme ofWork of the Conference of the Parties to theConvention on Biological Diversity;UNU/IAS)

24–26 March, Kuala Lumpur: ASEANRegional Workshop on “Inter-linkages andIntegrated Capacity Development”

25 March, Tokyo: International Symposiumon “New Threats and Nonproliferation ofWeapons of Mass Destruction” (UNU &MOFA/J)

26 March, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHResearch Seminar on “GeographicalIndications”

28–29 March, Tokyo: UNU/WIDER ProjectConference on “Spatial Inequality in Asia”

31 March–4 April, Merida, Venezuela:International Course on “New Frontiers ofBioinformatics in Latin America”(UNU/BIOLAC)

4 April, Tokyo: Award Ceremony for 2002–2003 UNU-Kirin Fellows

7–10 April, Tokyo: UNU/IAS “UrbanSustainable Capacity Building Exercise”

8 April, Tokyo: Public Forum on Closing ofthe International Year of Mountains 2002(UNU & Japanese National Committee ofIYM2002)

10 April, Tokyo: Public Forum on theoccasion of “The European Union FifthEnlargement: 10 New Member Countries”(UNU & EU)

15 April, Tokyo: Fifth U ThantDistinguished Lecture on “The Future of OurWorld”

15–16 April, Beijing: InternationalSymposium on “Impacts of POPs fromUrban Areas”

17–18 April, Accra: Biennial Meeting ofUNU/INRA College of Research Associates

18–19 April, Charlottesville, Virginia:International Symposium on “ImprovingPublic Participation and Governance inInternational Watershed Management”(UNU, UNEP, et al.)

19–20 April, Johannesburg: ProjectWorkshop on “African Capacity for PolicySimulation: Towards Better PovertyStrategies” (UNU/WIDER)

24–25 April, Accra: Biennial Meeting ofUNU/INRA College of Research Associates

29 April, Reykjavik: 25th Conference ofDirectors of UNU Research and TrainingCentres and Programmes

April–September, Bruges, Belgium: VirtualWorkshop on “Indicator Systems forMonitoring Regional Integration”(UNU/CRIS)

1–31 May, Accra: Training Course in“Computer Applications to Natural ResourceManagement” (UNU/INRA)

5–23 May, Hanoi: “Unifying Theory ofProgramming, Model Checking, andSoftware Development with UML”(UNU/IIST)

13 May, Tokyo: 2003 Africa DaySymposium (UNU & ADC)

17–18 May, Helsinki: UNU/WIDER ProjectMeeting on “Innovative Sources ofDevelopment Finance”

18–24 May, La Habana, Cuba: InternationalCourse on “Quality Control in theBiotechnology Industry” (UNU/BIOLAC)

19–21 May, Katmandu: 2nd UNU-RIVMWorkshop on “Environmental Dimensions ofPoverty”

19 May–27 June, Tokyo: UNU InternationalCourses

21 May, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHResearch Seminar on “The Determinants ofGovernance Patterns in Global ValueChains”

27 May, Tokyo: Fridtjof Nansen MemorialLecture on “Challenges for Peace andReconciliation in the 21st Century”

29 May, Helsinki: UNU/WIDER ProjectMeeting on “Measuring Human Well-being”

29 May, Helsinki; UNU/WIDER ProjectMeeting on “Spatial Inequality inDevelopment”

30–31 May, Helsinki: UNU/WIDERDevelopment Conference on “Inequality,Poverty and Human Well-being”

1 June, Helsinki: WIDER Project Workshopon “African Capacity for Policy Simulation:Towards Better Poverty Strategies”

2 June, Tokyo: Tokyo Roundtable on“Bioethics and Biotechnology: What is atStake for Humanity Now?” (UNU/IAS,Embassy of France, Embassy of Germany,JDZB)

2–3 June, Bruges, Belgium: Conference on“Linking Peace, Security and RegionalIntegration in Africa” (UNU/CRIS)

5 June, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHWorkshop on “The Future of the VentureCapital Industry”

9 June, Tokyo: Tokyo Roundtable on“Biosecurity” (UNU/IAS)

9–10 June, Hamilton, Ontario:UNU/INWEH International AdvisoryCommittee Meeting

(Continued on page 16)

16

Recent UNU activities (Continued from page 15)

1–15 August, Zhengzhou, China: “Methodsand Tools for High Quality SoftwareDevelopment” (UNU/IIST)

3–6 August, Shimane Prefecture, Japan:UNU Global Seminar – Shimane Session on“Globalization and Human Development”

6–8 August, Accra: Meeting of the AdvisoryBoard of UNU/INRA

9–16 August, Papua New Guinea: RegionalWorkshop on “Inter-linkages and IntegratedCapacity Development in the Pacific” (UNU,SPREP, UNDP)

12 August, Stockholm: Workshop on “Roleand Governance Implications of VirtualWater Trade” (UNU, SIWI, CREST of JST)

27–30 August, Hokkaido, Japan: UNUGlobal Seminar – Hokkaido Session on“Water, Environment and Economics”

1–2 September, Tokyo: Workshop on“Capacity Development Training forMonitoring of POPs in the East AsianHydrosphere” (UNU, APN, Shimadzu)

1–5 September, Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan: UNU Global Seminar – ShonanSession on “Will Human Security SupercedeThe State? – The Tasks Ahead”

5 September, Tokyo: Sixth U ThantDistinguished Lecture on “Agriculture,Development and Human Rights in theFuture of Africa” by Mr. Jimmy Carter, 39thPresident of the USA

5 September, Helsinki: Project Meeting on“Innovative Sources of DevelopmentFinance” (UNU/WIDER)

6–7 September, Helsinki: UNU/WIDERDevelopment Conference on “SharingGlobal Prosperity”

8–9 September, Pisa, Italy: Workshop on“Formal Aspects of Component SoftwareFACS’03” (UNU/IIST)

8–12 September, Apia, Samoa: Inter-linkages side event during the SPREPGoverning Council and Brainstorning

session among partners of the capacitydevelopment initiative in Asia and Pacific

22 September, Québec: World Forests,Society & Environment (WFSE) Forum – aspecial event during the XII World ForestryCongress

23–26 September, Kobe/Awaji, Japan: UNUGlobal Seminar – Kobe/Awaji Session on“Will Science and Technology Save OurGlobal Community”

September, Maastricht,: 3rd Annual AmilcarHerrera Lecture (UNU/INTECH)

2–3 October, Bruges: Research Workshopon “Exploring the Tensions and Synergiesbetween Regional Integration and GlobalGovernance” (UNU/CRIS & Univ. ofWarwick)

7–10 October (tentative), Algiers:UNU/INRA-UNECA Annual Lecture

8–9 October Tokyo: InternationalSymposium on “Improving PublicParticipation and Governance in WaterResources Management”

9 October, Maastricht: INU/INTECHResearch Seminar on “Taking a Seat in theGlobal Marketplace: Opportunities for ‘HighRoad’ Upgrading in the Indonesian WoodFurniture Sector”

14–31 October, Tokyo: Inaugural Session ofthe UNU/Australian National UniversityPostgraduate Award Courses

29–30 October, Tokyo: InternationalSymposium on “Alternative Approaches toEnhancing Small-Scale Livelihoods andNatural Resources Management in MarginalAreas – Experience in Monsoon Asia”

October (date to be confirmed), New York:Briefing on Inter-linkages and the IssueManagement Approach (UNU, UNEP, MIT)

20–21 November, Bruges: Conference on“Regional Integration, Governance andGlobal Public Goods” (UNU/CRIS)

20–21 November, Bruges: UNU/CRISSecond Annual Lecture by Dr. Inge Kaul,Director of the Office of DevelopmentStudies, UNDP

21–23 November, Belgrade, Serbia andMontenegro: International Symposium andWorkshop on “Challenges in Strengtheningof Capacities for Forest Policy Developmentin CITs”

22–25 November, Ishikawa Prefecture,Japan: UNU Global Seminar – KanazawaSession

29 November, Tokyo: 26th Conference ofDirectors of UNU Research and TrainingCentres and Programmes

November (date to be confirmed), Suva,Fiji: Regional Workshop on Inter-linkagesand Integrated Capacity Development in thePacific (UNU, SPREP, UNDP)

1–5 December, Tokyo: 50th Session of theUNU Council

18–21 December, Okinawa Prefecture,Japan: UNU Global Seminar – OkinawaSession

Forthcoming UNU activities

UNU Nexions presents a “snapshot”of the UNU activities. It is published bythe UNU Public Affairs Section inTokyo.

UNU Nexions welcomes letters orthe submission of articles forconsideration. Address your inquiries orcorrespondence to:

Public Affairs SectionUnited Nations University53–70, Jingumae 5-chomeShibuya-ku, Tokyo 150–8925JapanTelephone: +81–3–3499–2811Fax: +81–3–3499–2828E-mail: mbox@hq.unu.eduWebsite: http://www.unu.eduOnline newsletter UNU Update:

http://update.unu.edu

For the latest information on UNU events, kindly visit ourwebsite at http://www.unu.edu/hq/rector_office/events.htm.

11 June, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHResearch Seminar Series: The Rise ofModular Model of the Global ElectronicsIndustry

16–17 June, Maastricht: UNU/INTECHAnnual Board Meeting

17–18 June, Tokyo: University ProfessorTraining Programme on “The WTO andSustainable Development”

19–20 June, Helsinki: 19th Session of theUNU/WIDER Board

19–20 June, Maastricht: InternationalWorkshop on “TNCs, Capabilities andCompetitiveness: Evidence from Africa,

Asia and Latin America”

27–28 June, Helsinki: UNU/WIDER ProjectMeeting on “Long-term Development in theCFA-zone Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa”

1–5 July, Seoul: UNU Global Seminar –Seoul Session on “Community Building inNortheast Asia: Challenges andOpportunities”

1–26 July, Yaoundé, Cameroon: Course on“Train-the-Trainers in ComputerApplications to Natural Resources”(UNU/INRA)

7 July, New York: Meeting of the Bureau ofthe UNU Council

7–27 July, Accra: Training Course in “PlantTissue Culture” (UNU/INRA)

27–30 July, Akita Prefecture, Japan: UNUGlobal Seminar – Tohoku Session on“Global Environment and RegionalDevelopment”

28–30 July, Bangkok: Workshop on“Ensuring Flood Security for SustainableUrbanization in the Asia-Pacific Region”(UNU, UNCRD)

30–31 July, Tokyo: UNU-UNESCOInternational Conference on “Globalizationwith a Human Face”