The Mindset I Learned at SFC Is Exactly What Is Required in My Current Job | Makiko Yanagiya (Graduated from the Faculty of Policy Management in 2004, Completed a Master's Degree at the Graduate School of Media and Governance in 2006)

March 17, 2022

Makiko Yanagiya

Programme Coordinator, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

Deputy Director of the Secretariat of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative

Graduated from the Faculty of Policy Management in 2004

Completed a Master's Program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance in 2006

Since my student days, I have been interested in the relationship between people and nature, rather than protecting nature by excluding people. Currently, I serve as the Programme Coordinator for the "Biodiversity and Society" programme at the United Nations University and as the Deputy Director of the Secretariat of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). Under the theme of "rebuilding the relationship between people and nature," IPSI takes a comprehensive approach to global issues such as biodiversity, aiming to create sustainable societies that live in harmony with nature. Its appeal lies in its ability to address initiatives across various scales, from international frameworks and national and local government policies to community governance.

The issue of biodiversity is accompanied by ideological differences stemming from cultural and historical backgrounds. In Europe and the United States, the mainstream approach to nature conservation is zoning, which separates human living spaces from natural spaces. In contrast, in countries like Japan, as well as others in Asia and Latin America, there is no clear boundary between people and nature; there is a sense that people are a part of nature. However, the model in which landscapes formed by the interaction of people and nature foster rich biodiversity and support people's livelihoods is not yet fully understood in the international community. Therefore, we are engaged in activities to increase international recognition of the value of secondary nature, such as *satoyama*, and to support policies and initiatives that sustain them.

At the United Nations University, I run the secretariat of the international partnership, coordinating both research activities and support for various on-the-ground initiatives. As for research-related initiatives, for example, we organize case studies of harmonious environmental systems by theme and create publications. We also contribute our research findings to international biodiversity assessment reports issued by scientists.

Regarding support for on-the-ground initiatives, we are advancing projects such as policy development support to promote efforts that sustain positive relationships between people and nature. Specifically, we are creating support tools for the development of national strategies, which are mandatory for member countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity. By improving policy-side interventions, we aim to enhance the resilience of on-the-ground activities that are wonderful yet highly vulnerable. Many other projects are also underway, and I am responsible for managing them all.

Before joining the United Nations University, I worked as a technical official for the natural environment at the Ministry of the Environment. In my first year, I was at the ministry's headquarters, regulating the trade of rare flora and fauna under the CITES (Washington Convention). In my second year, I was in charge of conservation management for national parks at a regional environment office. In my third year, I moved to Hokkaido as a national park ranger (nature conservation officer). In just my third year with the ministry, I was stationed alone in a village of fewer than 200 people on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, responsible for an area exceeding 50,000 hectares. The large amount of discretion I had was also what made it rewarding.

I also have strong memories of when I was in charge of the Ramsar Convention. A resolution concerning pesticides in rice paddies was proposed by researchers from overseas, but I felt something was off, as any attempt to include a biodiversity perspective was removed. As I gradually unraveled the proposal, I discovered an underlying intention to promote rice engineered to kill pests that eat it, and I took a stand to question it. I was surrounded by skilled negotiators and remained in a disadvantageous position, but after a dispute that spanned nearly two years, the resolution was amended to reflect our views and was ultimately adopted. I remember feeling that I had made a tangible contribution to the international community.

In international cases, the scale of the issues becomes larger. People from Europe and the United States have different communication styles and approaches than Japanese people, and there is also a language barrier. In the beginning, there were many times I couldn't understand what the other person was saying, but I feel I tackled it desperately out of a sense of mission. Even so, it was enjoyable to see my perspective broaden through global work.

I still struggle with English. However, I believe that addressing missions related to global issues could not have been achieved with language skills alone. What is important is to share feelings and ideas about the issues and the countermeasures. Even if your language skills are somewhat limited, if you can share your ideas, people will appear who will support you wholeheartedly. I believe the reason I am able to somehow carry out tasks like international negotiations and international project formation is because of the wonderful relationships I have with people around the world who share my passion.

Problem-solving. An interdisciplinary approach. The mindset I learned at SFC is exactly what is required in my current job. In the research group of Professor Mikiko Ishikawa (former professor at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies) at SFC, we repeated a cycle of first understanding the current situation, then organizing the issues, and finally making a proposal. Having received such training, as an SFC graduate who has advanced into the field of "environment," which is full of challenges, I always have plenty to do (laughs). I was also encouraged by the phrase passed down at SFC, "students from the future." I think it's a phrase that removes the concept of hierarchy and encourages free thinking.

I have a strong desire to bring hope to humanity's future not just by protecting ecosystems, but by taking the more creative approach of restoring and regenerating them. I don't know yet to what extent we can achieve the goals set by the Convention on Biological Diversity for 2030, but I want to pass the baton to the next generation with as much hope as possible.

At SFC, you can learn without borders and have infinite possibilities, which can make designing your student life challenging. While there is the freedom to do anything, with that freedom comes self-responsibility. However, I believe that is what society itself is like. I would recommend SFC not only to those with an innovative temperament but also to those who don't think they have that kind of personality. This is because I believe it serves as training not only to master the academic fields you are interested in but also to acquire the perspectives needed for the coming era. In this atmosphere of freedom, I hope students will take on challenges without fear of failure and grow into independent individuals.