Award Ceremony 2007
The Award Ceremony for the 2007 (15th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on October 4th, 2007, in the presence of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, who was the Governor Emeritus of EXPO '90. Some 450 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 2:30 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with dignified music played by a string ensemble. The Chairpersons of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and the Screening Committee of Experts took the dais and introduced the members of their respective committees.
Next, the guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included four past prizewinners, Sir Ghillean Prance (1993, 1st), Dr. Tatsuo Kira (1995, 3rd), Dr. Graham Watkins representing the Charles Darwin Research Station (2002, 10th), and Dr. Peter Raven (2003, 11th); Mr. Yaichi Tanigawa, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(on behalf of Minister, MAFF); Mr. Zenjiro Kaneko, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport(on behalf of Minister, MLIT); Sir Graham Fry, British Ambassador to Japan; Ms. Fusae Ota, Governor, Osaka Prefecture; Mr. Hoshimitsu Iwami, Chairperson, Osaka Prefectural Assembly; Mr. Junichi Seki, Mayor, Osaka City; and Mr. Masashi Ashitaka, President, Osaka City Council.
After HIH the Crown Prince proceeded to the platform, President Makino declared the Ceremony open and Chairperson Imai delivered an address on behalf of the host organization. Then, Dr. Akito Arima, as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, introduced the prizewinner and presented the reasons for the award. Dr. Georgina Mace, the 2007 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform to a warm round of applause. Chairperson Arima described the prizewinner selection process.
Dr. Georgina Mace was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize and a medallion by Chairperson Imai and Deputy Chairperson Nomura. HIH the Crown Prince then honored the Ceremony with a congratulatory message.
Vice Minister Yaichi Tanigawa read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and British Ambassador Graham Fry made a congratulatory speech.
Finally, Dr. Georgina Mace delivered the prizewinner's address. A further round of applause for Dr. Mace brought the first section of the Ceremony to a close.
In the second, celebratory, section of the Ceremony, introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. The ceremony was concluded with celebratory musical performances by a cellist and the ensemble.
Commemorative Lectures
Lecture meetings for the International Cosmos Prize in　2007 were held under the theme "Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Change: Consequences for People and the Environment," at Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, on October 2, 2007, and at Tokyo FM Hall, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, on October 6.
Dr. Mace stated in her lecture that despite an international commitment made in 2002 at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to reduce species extinction rates by 2010, extinction rates still appear to be rising. She also stated that due to the potential impacts of climate change, the rates would increase into the future by another order of magnitude or more, which would have serious consequences for human activities. She emphasized that we should appreciate the importance of biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services through biodiversity conservation.
[Lecture Meeting in Tokyo] Attended by approx. 250 people
[Lecture Meeting in Kyoto] Attended by approx. 200 people
Presenter: Dr. Michio Imafuku, Professor, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Discussion between Dr. Mace and Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki,Director, Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo.
15th Anniversary Symposium & High School Visit
2007 marked the 15th anniversary of the International Cosmos Prizes, established in 1993 to commemorate the International Garden and Greenery Exposition (EXPO '90) held in 1990 at Tsurumi-ryokuchi Park in Osaka, under the main theme: the Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Mankind. The purpose of establishing the Prizes was to perpetuate the spirit of EXPO '90 by commending individuals and groups that have contributed significantly toward making that theme a reality.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the EXPO '90 Foundation organized various commemorative events during 2007, particularly the 15th Anniversary Symposium and High School Visit by Prizewinners. With the participation of several past prizewinners, all commemorative events achieved great success, gaining high acclaim from the parties concerned.
The Anniversary Symposium, held under the theme "For the Future of Humankind and the Earth, "featured discussions on various topics, including the advance of global warming, the biodiversity crisis and the roles of science and scientists in addressing these and other environmental problems.
At the High School Visit by Prizewinners, students were eager to participate in discussions. Since they had prepared well for the program, the Q&A session was particularly vigorous. By asking many questions of the prizewinners, students learned the reality of environmental problems, as well as clues to resolving them. The event provided the high school students with an excellent opportunity to deeply consider ways of seeking optimal balance between social development and environmental preservation.
The International Cosmos Prize 15th Anniversary Symposium
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| Theme | "For the Future of Humankind and the Earth" |
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| Presenter | Sir Ghillean Prance Scientific Director , the Eden Project , UK 1993(1st) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Graham Watkins Director , Charles Darwin Research Station ,Ecuador 2002(10th) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Peter Raven Director, Missouri Botanical Garden , U.S.A 2003(11th) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Yoichiro Murakami Professor , Graduate School ,International Christian University |
| Coordinator | Dr. Akito Arima Chairperson, Japan Science Foundation |
High School Visits by Prizewinner Presentation by Sir Ghillean Prance
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| Place | Ennyu-Kan Hall , Todaiji Gakuen High School (Nara) |
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| Theme | Sir Ghillean Prance Scientific Director , the Eden Project , UK 1993(1st) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Graham Watkins Director , Charles Darwin Research Station ,Ecuador 2002(10th) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Peter Raven Director, Missouri Botanical Garden , U.S.A 2003(11th) International Cosmos Prizewinner Dr. Yoichiro Murakami Professor , Graduate School ,International Christian University |
| Coordinator | Dr. Akito Arima Chairperson, Japan Science Foundation |
High School Visits by Prizewinner Presentation by Dr. Graham Watkins, Charles Darwin Research Station
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| Place | Seiryo Kaikan Hall , Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School ( Tokyo) |
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| Theme | "Galapagos at Risk" |
| Lecturer | Dr. Graham Watkins Director ,Charles Darwin Research Station ,Ecuador |