Eight 6th-cohort NipCA Fellows participated in the Central Eurasia SDGs Seminar I (Ishigaki Training, Okinawa) from Wednesday, February 5 to Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Ishigaki City, recognized as an “SDGs Future City” and “Municipal SDGs Model Project” in 2020, is renowned for its rich natural environment, including Iriomote Island, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and Ishinishi Lagoon, Japan’s largest coral reef.
The Fellows explored the intersection of SDGs with society, nature, and culture through various activities. These included nature tours of the island, beach cleanups, visits to research institutes and companies dedicated to SDGs, and interactions with local high schools.
The exercise included visits to the Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, Mineya Workshop, Yonehara Yaeyama Palm Colony, Ishigaki City Hall, the International Coral Reef Research and Monitoring Center, Yaeyama Commercial High School, and Taketomi Island. During the program, they participated in lectures on island history and culture, experienced traditional performing arts with high school students, and participated in beach cleanup activities.
●The reports by each fellow can be viewed from the links below.
1. Yaeyama Museum : Amanbaiuly Mukhtar
2. The International Coral Reef Research and Monitoring Center : Umirzakova Nazym
3. Taketomi Island : Umirzakova Nazym
4. Preserving Voices, Preserving Worlds: A Journey into Yaeyama’s Language and History : Otkulbek kyzy Akylai
5. Ishigaki City Hall : Akramova Lola
6. Ishigaki Island : Muhammadibrokhimov Botirjon
7. Eco-Hospitality Reinvented: The Business Case for Sustainable Tourism at Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine : Rashidova Rukhsora
8. Garbage Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Ishigaki City (Okinawa) : Abdurasulova Mehriniso
9. Yaeyama Commercial High School : Yerzhomartova Ayazhan
●The exchange at Yaeyama Commercial High School was reported in the Yaeyama Mainichi Shimbun on February 8, 2024.
