Revitalizing “endangered” rural communities thorough agritourism: The roles of a local...
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Revitalizing “endangered” rural communities thorough agritourism: The roles of a local university Akita International University, Japan Center for Regional Sustainability Initiatives (CRESI) Yoshitaka Kumagai Ph.D July 9, 2010 World Ecotourism Conference Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Revitalizing “endangered” rural communities thorough agritourism: The roles of a local university. Akita International University, Japan Center for Regional Sustainability Initiatives (CRESI) Yoshitaka Kumagai Ph.D. July 9, 2010 World Ecotourism Conference Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Revitalizing “endangered” rural communities thorough agritourism:
The roles of a local university
Akita International University, JapanCenter for Regional Sustainability Initiatives (CRESI)
Yoshitaka Kumagai Ph.D
July 9, 2010World Ecotourism Conference
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Population trend and its projection in Japan
National Institute of Population and social security research, Japan
Population and communities in JapanCurrently 127million people
It is declining as a wholeBut increasing in mega cities
1,727 municipal governments in JapanPopulation in 776 municipal governments is
declining 45% of municipal governments8 million people--6.3%
50 % of Japan’s land is being depopulatedThere are 2,643 endangered communities in
those depopulating cities/towns/villages
Akita, Japan
•The 3rd largest prefecture•1.1 million people•Snowy in winter•Mining and Forestry•Agriculture•76 endangered communities
Issues in Akita
High suicide rate (the worst for 15 years)High unemployment rateHigh cancer rateLow incomeAgingDepopulationLosing a pride and hope
Potentials
EducationNatural resources
World nature heritage sites Water Landscape
Food Rice and Sake
Folk cultureWisdom
The role of a local university:Requests from municipal governmentsRevitalizing endangered communities
through ecotourism Research Initiative Coordination Developing a plan Monitoring
Agritourism
Akita International UniversityCenter for Regional Sustainability Initiatives (CRESI) Research on
History Folk culture Food Community
8 faculty members 、 12 students 、 1 fulltime staff
Japan, Poland, UK, US Communication, Recreation management,
Anthropology, Philosophy, International Development, architecuture
CRESI’s approch
Getting together with local people
Exploring local
resources with
outsiders’ eyes
Linking various
resources within
community
Sorting out resources and developing a
plan and strategy
Implementing the plan and developing a monitoring
system
Capacity Building
Exploring and Analyzing community resources
IndustryNature
Historic sites
Landscape
Atmosphere
Infrastructures
Facilities
Community Capital
Festivals
Information
Culture Unity
People
Hard
Soft
Foods
Exploring potential resources by CRESI(1)
Exploring potential resources by CRESI(2)
Exploring potential resources by CRESI(3)
Exploring potential resources by CRESI(4)
Interviewing with local residents
CRESI ＆ Akita PrefectureLaunched in 2005, Two years CurriculumLearning how to link among various
resources within a communityLectures, workshops, event
planning/management
CRESI ＆ Akita PrefectureLaunched in 2005, Two years CurriculumLearning how to link among various resources within a communityLectures, workshops, event planning/management
Marketing Negotiation skills Data collection NPO& NGO Communication
Grant Proposal Conflict management Project Planning Public Relations
Developing a plan
What to achieve?How to achieve?Who would play what role?What to provide/sell?What and what need to be linked?To whom?
Akita capacity building seminar
Future of CRESI
Keep working on this Fostering producers and coordinators Establishing extension services Accumulating cases and data
Secretarial office of IUCN/WCPA-Japan Park and protected area management
“International workshop on protected area management beyond 2010” in winter 2011
“Asian Park Congress” in fall 2011
