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Award Ceremony 2018

Award Ceremony 2018

January 31, 2019

The Award Ceremony for the 2018 (26th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on November 14th, 2018.

Some 370 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

Dr. KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro 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 Dr. IWATSUKI Kunio, 2016 prizewinner, Mr. Jean-Matthieu Bonnel, Consulate-General of France in Kyoto (on behalf of French Ambassador to Japan) , Mr. HISHINUMA Yoshihisa, Councillor, Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production and Marketing Promotion, Agricultural Production Bureau, Minister`s Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (on behalf of Minister, MAFF), Mr. NAGAI Toshihiko, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT), Mr. TAKEUCHI Hiroyuki, Osaka Prefecture Deputy Governor (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. GOUDA Hiroshi, Manager, Public Works Bureau, City of Osaka (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City).
Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. IMAI Takashi delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process.

Then, Dr. Augustin Berque, the 2018 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform. Chairperson Kishimoto outlined the reasons for the Award. Dr. Berque was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize by Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. IMAI Takashi and a medallion by Expo'90 Foundation President, Mr. SUMI Kazuo.

On behalf of the guests, master of ceremony read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister, Mr. ABE Shinzo. And, Consulate-General of France in Kyoto, Mr. Bonnel read a congratulatory message from French Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Laurent Pic.

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

The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a pianist, Ms. HIROSE Etsuko and COSMOS STRING QUARTET 2018.

Commemorative Lectures

The 2018 International Cosmos Prize commemorative and the Earth Hall of Fame KYOTO 10th anniversary lectures and symposium were held at Symposium Hall, Kyoto University (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto) on October 21, 2018 under the cosponsorship of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN). Prize recipient, Dr. Berque delivered a commemorative lecture. Then, Dr. Berque and Dr. YAMAGIWA Juichi had a discussion. After that, many speakers had discussions.

In addition, the 2018 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Yasuda Auditorium, The University of Tokyo (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on November 19, and at Hirose-no ma, Sendai International Hotel (Aoba-ku, Sendai) on December 2.

At Tokyo, Dr. Berque delivered a commemorative lecture after the introduction by Dr. AKIMICHI Tomoya. After the lecture, there were active Q&A sessions.

At Sendai, Dr. Berque gave a commemorative lecture after the introduction by Mr. NOE Keiichi. Then, Dr. Berque and Dr. AKASAKA Norio had a discussion with a facilitator, Dr. SAKURA Osamu. Finally, Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro delivered closing remarks.

The mesological foundations of sustainability.pdf

The 2018 International Cosmos Prize commemorative and the Earth Hall of Fame KYOTO 10th anniversary lectures and symposium, the 165th RIHN seminar: Japanese View of Nature ― Interdisciplinary Dialogue on the "Nature and Humanity''

Date Sunday, October 21
Place Symposium Hall, Kyoto University (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)
Attendance 100
Program ・Explanation of purpose
Dr. UEHARA Mayuko (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Kyoto University), Dr. ABE Kenichi(Professor, RIHN)

・Introduction
Dr. AKIMICHI Tomoya (Member, International Cosmos Prize Committee / Director, Fujisan World Heritage Center)

・Commemorative Lecture "The mesological foundations of sustainability''
Dr. Augustin Berque (The prizewinner, 2018 International Cosmos Prize / The 8th Inductees, The Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto / Director, studies at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales)

・Keynote talk: "Actuality of the Shizengaku (Nature Study) of Kinji Imanishi"
Dr. Augustin Berque×Dr. YAMAGIWA Juichi (President, Kyoto University)

・"Dialogue on Agriculture: How We Make the Most of the Richness of Nature"
Dr. HAYASHI Hiroaki (Kunisaki Peninsula Usa GIAHS Promotion Association / Visiting Professor, RIHN)×Mr. KAWAGUCHI Wataru (Student, Faculty of Letters, Kyoto University)

・"Dialogue on Natural Disasters: Living an Enriched Life with a Harsh Natural Environment"
Mr. SASAKI Ken (Retired staff, Otsuchi-cho, Iwate Prefecture) ×Dr. Yoann Moreau (MINES ParisTech / Visiting Professor, RIHN)

・"Dialogue on Religious Faith: Nature as a Loving Mother, Nature as a Strict Father"
Mr. HATAKEYAMA Shigeatsu (Oyster cultivator in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture / Visiting Professor, Kyoto University / The 6th Inductees, The Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto)×Dr. SHIMADA Nahoko (Researcher, RIHN)

・"Dialogue on the Philosophy of Nature: Beyond a Dichotomy between Humans and Nature"
Dr. Günter Figal (Professor, University of Freiburg) ×Dr. MINE Hideki (Faculty of Letters, Kwansei Gakuin University)

・Closing talk and discussion: "From Kyoto to the World"  
Dr. YAMAGIWA Juichi ×Dr. Augustin Berque
Co-host Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Supporters Kyoto prefecture
City of Kyoto
The Kyoto Shimbun

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Tokyo Lecture

Date Monday, November 19
Place Yasuda Auditorium, The University of Tokyo (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
Attendance 380
Program ・Introduction 
Dr. AKIMICHI Tomoya

・Commemorative Lecture "The mesological foundations of sustainability''
Dr. Augustin Berque

・Q&A sessions with high school students 
Dr. Augustin Berque Moderator: Dr. AKIMICHI Tomoya
Co-host Tokyo Metroporitan Board of Education
Supporters Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of the Environment

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Sendai Lecture

Date Sunday, December 2
Place Hirose-no ma, Sendai International Hotel (Aoba-ku, Sendai)
Attendance 150
Program ・Introduction 
Mr. NOE Keiichi (Member, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts/President-appointed Extraordinary Professor, Tohoku University)

・Commemorative Lecture "The mesological foundations of sustainability''
Dr. Augustin Berque

・Discussion 
Dr. Augustin Berque×Dr. AKASAKA Norio (Professor, Gakushuin University) Facilitator: Dr. SAKURA Osamu (Professor, The University of Tokyo)

・Closing remarks 
Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro (Chairperson, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts / Director General, National Museum of Nature and Science)
Co-host Tohoku Forum for Creativity, Organization for Research Promotion, Tohoku University
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Miyagi University School of Project Design
Supporter KAHOKU SHIMPO PUBLISHING CO.

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