RESEARCH OUTLINE
RESEARCH OUTLINE
Key features of our research approach is as follows;
Emphasis on the Relationship between a Sustainable Environmental Future and Human Well-being based on Applied Philosophy and Ethics
Environmental philosophy is an interdisciplinary field that connects key concepts from many disciplines in an social and cultural context, providing a framework for environmental studies and ethics.  We seek links between wisdom and methodology in environmental studies, integrating the diverse fields of natural, social and human sciences.  Environmental philosophy provides such integration and, as applied ethics and moral sense grow, environmental philosophy contributes to strategies for a sustainable future.
Outreach for Social Contract and Consensus toward Sustainable Society and Future

In order to foster links between sustainable society and human well-being, we seek to connect local activities to global thinking.  Through local activities we gain wisdom; this wisdom can be the origin of thinking globally.  At the same time, through global thinking we gain insight into the guidelines for local activities.
On the other hand, through establishing an international network for environmental ethics and education we can integrate a framework and pragmatic application toward sustainable society.  To find viable solutions to environmental problems, we seek a concrete strategy to reach consensus for a social contract as global citizens.
Establishing Guidelines for Environmental Education and Networks for Global Partners in the Asia-Pacific Region

Environmental Education is implemented in various diverse fields and has contributed to the resolution of environmental problems to some extent.  However, the character of too many themes, fields, and methods involved in environmental education makes it rather vague for both teachers and students to understand their direction, which objective to achieve among many subjects, what meaning to attach to the field activities, and so on.
In order to communicate effectively, environmental education needs to establish a common ground by means of vocabulary standardization through the translation of technical scientific terms into readily accessible language and by the consolidation of diverse materials into common sets of materials.  After these procedures, it could be possible for us to establish a “Guideline of Environmental Education Based on Environmental Ethics".



History of Main International Research Projects

in 1996
+International Symposium'96: Environmental Ethics and
Environmental Education: Living Together with Nature
Konan University | Japan
International Symposium'96
in 1998
+International Symposium'98: Environmental Ethics and
Environmental Education: The Issues on Technology and
Human Nature
Konan University | Japan

in 1999
+International Symposium of Informational Exchange for
Environmental Education between Japan and China    
Peking University | China
International Symposium between Japan and China in 1999

in 2000
+International Congress on Environmental Ethics and
Environmental Education in Thailand: Environmental
Education for Environmental Ethics
Rajabhat Institute Phranakhon | Thailand
International Symposium between Japan and Thailand in 2000

in 2001
+The 4th International Conference of Health Behavioral
Science: Integrated Approaches to Health 
Konan University | Japan
+The 5th International Conference on the Environmental
Management of Enclosed Coastal Sea (EMECS2001)    
Kobe | Japan

in 2002
+The 2nd International Symposium of Informational Exchange
for Environmental Education between Japan and China    
Konan University | Japan
+The 11th Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental
Cooperation, Ministry of Environment  
Hainan | China
The 11th North Asian Conference in 2002

in 2003
+Field Course: Ethnobotany and Environmental Philosophy:
A Field Course in Southern British Columbia
University of Victoria | Canada

in 2004
+International Congress between Japan and Thailand:
Constructing Global Partnership between Universities
for Environmental Education    
Konan University | Japan
in 2005
+Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research(APN) 10th
Anniversary IGM/SPG  Global Change Research and
Environmental Education: the APN's Expected Roles    
Kobe | Japan
APN 1oth Anniversary IGM/SPG in 2005
in 2006
+International Symposium: Establishing Guidelines for
Environmental Education Based on Environmental Ethics     
Kobe | Japan
+The 5th International Conference of Health Behavioral
Science: Education on Health and Environment
Phranakhon Rajabhat University | Thailand
in 2007
+International Symposium: Establishing Guidelines for
Environmental Education Based on Environmental
Ethics (III)    
University of Malaya | Malaysia
International Symposium in 2007
in 2008
+Sweden-Japan Joint Environmental Colloquium:
Sustainability of Natural Environment
Stockholm School of Economics|JSPS Stockholm Office|Sweden
+JSPS-VCC Comprehensive Seminar 2008:
Environmental Science, Engineering & Ethics
Kyoto University(JSPS-VCC Core University Programme)|Japan


Research Projects
Studies on British Philosophy and the Theory of Moral Sentiments in 18th Century (David Hume & Adam Smith)
Philosophy and Japanese Thought of Kitaro Nishida, Shuzo Kuki and Daisetsu Suzuki
Ecological Psychology by J. J. Gibson and Theory of Self-organization
Studies on Clinical Environment (Bridge of Practical Education and Clinical Psychology)


Key Activities of Our Seminar
The theme of our seminar’s key activities are life and environmental ethics.  We study some environmental problems from the three viewpoints of natural, social and mind environment.  For example, we research deformed monkeys from the viewpoint of natural environment, Minamata disease from the viewpoint of social environment, and environmental ethics from the viewpoint of the mind environment.  Also, particular emphasis is placed on field activities at the Konan Facility of Environmental Education, understanding the relationship between organic agriculture, environmental education and our lifestyle.
Promoting Environmental Conservation through Experiential Learning

  　▪ Organic Agriculture at Konan University
 　 ▪ Support for educators of Environmental Education with Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior and High School Students
 　 ▪ Practice and Experience of Subsistence Lifestyle

　
Implementations of Environmental Education; organic agriculture, left, rice planting and harvest of rice
Enhancing Motivation on Environmental Restoration

   ▪ Establishing Partnerships for Environmental Education
   ▪ Overseas Field Study and Student Meetings


Overseas Field Studies; lecture of field course by Dr. Mary Thomas collaborated with University of Victoria, Canada in 2003, left,
student meeting between Konan University and Phranakhon Rajabhat University, Thailand in 2004,
and field trip in mangrove forest in Thailand in 2005
Community based Environmental Education for Sustainable Society

   ▪ Community based Activities

   ▪ Off-Campus Activities
   ▪ Monitoring Research on Preservation of Traditional Culture at Aina National Government Park


Off-Campus Activities; research on deformed monkeys at Awaji Monkey Center collaborated with Ms. Sarah Turner, left,
a presentation on community based activity of environmental education in the Kobe City Hall,
and support for field trip on capacity building to general public at Aina National Government Park.



Copyright 1998-2009 by Taniguchi Office, Konan University.