Hiroshima International Center for Environmental Cooperation
One of our aims is to establish a center for training environmental leaders, who are capable of identifying problems and formulating strategic solutions at the national or local level through interdisciplinary and international perspectives. The globally noteworthy issue of how to realize a low-carbon society is an example of such problems and solutions. The 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program “Social Capacity Development for Environmental Management and International Cooperation”, at Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University, proposed a capability development framework. Research findings based on this framework suggest that environmental leaders are needed in all countries and regions, specializing in the following fields: urban system design to prevent global warming, wise use of biomass resources, environmental impact assessment and, policymaking and design of institutional system. For this reason, three new programs are being expanded, including the International Students Support Program, the International Environmental Education Program and the Postgraduate Education Program.