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On July 29, 2002, the Goi Peace Foundation and the United Nations Information Centre in Tokyo cosponsored a symposium commemorating the International Year of Ecotourism.
 The
United Nations declared the year 2002 as the International Year
of Ecotourism to encourage integration of sustainable development
in the tourist industry. Ecotourism is environmentally responsible
travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, allowing
one to enjoy and appreciate nature and traditional cultural features,
while actively promoting conservation and contributing to regional
socio-economic development.
The concept of ecotourism is in alignment with the philosophy and
principles of the Declaration
for All Life on Earth, in that it stresses harmony with the
natural environment, respect for diverse forms of life and culture,
and the importance of awareness and responsible action on the part
of each individual. It is excepted that as more and more people
participate in ecotours, it will eventually change our values and
daily lifestyle to move humanity forward towards a sustainable and
peaceful world.
In this symposium, the significance of ecotourism and the efforts made to implement
it were introduced to a broad range of participants. The educative
benefits of ecotours and their positive effects on local communities
were also discussed through illustrated cases.
A photo exhibition introducing ecotourism in various regions both in and outside
of Japan was also held at the UN Gallery from July 23 through 30.
 PROGRAM
Opening Remarks:
Hatsuhisa Takashima, Director of UNIC Tokyo
Hiroo Saionji, President of The Goi Peace Foundation
Keynote Speech:
"World
Ecotourism Summit Report"
Kazuo Aichi, President of Japan Ecotourism
Society
Case Presentations:
"Environmental
Education and Ocean Ecotours"
Dr. Jack T. Moyer, Marine Biologist
"Forest
Preservation and Ecotourism: Test Case for School Trips"
Dr. Akio Shimomura, Professor of Forest
Science, The University of Tokyo
"Ecotour
and Global Society: From the Case of Sabah, Malaysia"
Dr. Shinji Yamashita, Professor of Cultural Anthropology, The University of Tokyo
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