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Award Ceremony 2014

Award Ceremony 2014

The Award Ceremony for the 2014(22th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on October 30th, 2014. Some 400 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr.Kazuhiko Takeuchi as Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by a representative of the host, and introduced the members of their respective committees.

The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Mr. Phan Nguyen Hong, 2008 prizewinner, Mr. Charles-Henri Brosseau, Consul General of the French Republic Consulate General in Kyoto, Mr. Hideki Kondo, Deputy Director-General, Kinki Regional Agricultural Administration Office (on behalf of Prime Minister), Mr. Toshiaki Hunabiki, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT), Mr. Yasuyuki Ogawa, Vice Governor, Osaka Prefectural Government (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. Seigo Tanaka, deputy mayor, Osaka ciry(on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City). Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Takashi Imai delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Chairperson Kishimoto described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. Philippe Descola, the 2014 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform to a warm round of applause. Chairperson Kishimoto outlined the reasons for the Award. Dr. Descola was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize and a medallion by Chairperson Imai and Expo'90 Foundation President, Mr. Kazuo Sumi. On behalf of the guests, Kinki Regional Agricultural Administration Office, Deputy Director-General Kondo read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Consul General Brosseau read a congratulatory message from Mr. Thierry Dana, Ambassador of the Embassy of the French Repubic.

Then introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. Dr. Philippe Descola delivered the prizewinner's address.

The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a pianist, and orchestra.

Commemorative Lectures

The 2014 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Ito Hall, Ito Internationa Research Center, The University of Tokyo, (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on October 27, and at Daimaru Shinsaibashi Theater, (Chuo-ku, Osaka) on October 29.

Prize recipient, Dr. Philippe Descola delivered commemorative lectures themed "The art of composing worlds".

At Tokyo, Dr. Philippe Descola had a discussion with Dr. Tomoya Akimichi, and at Osaka, Dr. Philippe Descola had a discussion with Dr. Kazunobu Ikeya.

At both Tokyo and Osaka, there were active Q&A sessions.

Commemorative Lecture in Tokyo attended by approx.325 people

Presentation Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi
(Chairperson,International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts / Director and Professor, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), University of Tokyo)
Commemorative Lecture "The art of composing worlds"
Dr. Philippe Descola
Discussion Dr. Tomoya Akimichi (Professor Emeritus, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature) with Dr. Philippe Descola
Place Ito Hall, Ito Internationa Research Center, The University of Tokyo
Cooperator Tokyo Metropoitan Board of Education
Supporters The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Environment

Commemorative Lecture in Osaka attended by approx.170 people

Presentation Dr. Tomoya Akimichi
(Professor Emeritus, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)
Commemorative Lecture "The art of composing worlds"
Dr. Philippe Descola
Discussion Dr. Ikeya Kazunobu (Department of Cultural Research, Professor)
with Dr. Philippe Descola
Place Daimaru Shinsaibashi Theater
Supporters The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Environment
Osaka Prefectural Government
City of Osaka

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