Report

The second Inter-Island Sustainability Educational Program International Symposium was held over two days. On the first day, researchers from partner universities and students from the University of the Ryukyus presented their work. On the second day, a keynote speech was delivered by Dr. David Lassner, President of the University of Hawaiʻi System. The details are as follows.

Day 1: Second International Symposium on Inter-island Sustainability Educational Program, University of the Ryukyus “Addressing Inter-island Challenges of Okinawa, Hawaiʻi, and Taiwan”

Date and Time: Monday, November 4, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Venue: University of the Ryukyus, Researcher Exchange Facility, 50th Anniversary Hall, Multipurpose Rooms A&B
Program:
1. Opening Remarks
Kinuko Yamazato (Advisor to the President, Associate Professor, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, University of the Ryukyus)

2. Introduction to Inter-island Sustainability Educational Program
Kinuko Yamazato (Advisor to the President, Associate Professor, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, University of the Ryukyus)
Hiromi Kinjo (Advisor to the President, Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of the Ryukyus)
Yuki Okabe (Assistant Professor, Executive Office for Global Vision and Implementation, University of the Ryukyus)

3. Forum: Addressing Inter-island Challenges of Okinawa, Hawaiʻi, and Taiwan
Moderator: Katherine Song (Associate Professor, Global Education Institute, University of the Ryukyus)
Speaker
–Ming-Chien Su (Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University)
　“Toward a Sustainability and Carbon Neutral Island for Ponso no Tao (Orchid Island), Taiwan.”
–Kuan-Hung Chen (Assistant Professor, Department of Arts and Humanities, Kapiʻolani Community College)
–Miku Lenentine (CERENE Program Coordinator, Kapiʻolani Community College)
　“Experiencing Resilience: Environmental Intelligence and Experiential Learning.”
–James Davis Reimer (Professor, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus)
　“Issues Facing Marine Diversity along the Coasts of Okinawa.”

4. University of the Ryukyus Student Presentations
First Session: “Connecting Pacific Island Communities through Knowledge Sharing”
Moderator: Titus Spree (Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of the Ryukyus)
Presentation titles
　“Knowledge Sharing in Pacific Islands: Indigenous Knowledge and Economic Development.”
　“Exploring Hawaiʻian-ness in Daily Life: The Cultural Values of Hawaiʻi.”
　“The Relationship between the Homeless Community and the Self-sufficiency of the Homeless People.”
　“Food and Necessities Pantry Project in Ryudai.”

Second Session: “For the Lasting Tradition: Well-being, Education, and Identity”
Moderator: Ayano Ginoza (Associate Professor, Research Institute for Islands and Sustainability, University of the Ryukyus)
Presentation titles
　“Beyond Nutrition: Inheritance of Traditional Cuisine.”
　“Education for Making Better Decisions for the Future.”
　“Autobiography of ‘Myself’: Me, Okinawa, and Hawaiʻi.”
　“Indigenous Language Education in Hawaiʻi and Okinawa.”

5. Closing Remarks
Masahide Ishihara (Executive Vice President, University of the Ryukyus)

Day 2
23rd Ryudai Mirai Kyoso Forum: “Island Wisdom for a Sustainable Future”

Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Venue: University of the Ryukyus, Researcher Exchange Facility, 50th Anniversary Hall, Multipurpose Rooms A&B
Program:
1. Opening Remarks
Kinuko Yamazato (Advisor to the President, Associate Professor, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, University of the Ryukyus)

2. Introduction of the Keynote Speaker
Mutsumi Nishida (President, University of the Ryukyus)

3. Keynote Speech
David Lassner (President, University of Hawaiʻi System)
　“Island Wisdom for Island Sustainability”

4. Closing Remarks
Masahide Ishihara (Executive Vice President, University of the Ryukyus)

Media Coverage

-University of Hawaii News (November 7, 2024): “President Lassner Awarded Honorary Degree from University of the Ryukyus.“
-NHK (November 6, 2024): “島々で育まれた知恵で持続可能な未来を 琉球大学でフォーラム(Creating a Sustainable Future with Island Wisdom: Forum at the University of the Ryukyus.)”