Environment and Sustainable Development - United Nations ...

seven titles were published in translation.
In keeping with the University’s dissemination
mandate, UNU Press continues to promote free distribution
of its publications in appropriate quarters. UNU Press
worked with NetLibrary, ebrary and other publishing and
distribution partners in 2002 to further improve distribution
and sales opportunities for electronic books and physical
volumes.
Electronic Dissemination
UNU continues to explore new opportunities for electronic
dissemination of its research results as well as
endeavouring to harness the growing sales potential of e-
commerce technology. In March, the UNU/ESD, in
cooperation with the UNU Centre and the UNU Campus
Computing Centre, produced a multimedia CD-ROM
based on the “Mountains: Environment and Human
Activities” public forum.
In 2002, specific attention was given to updating and
upgrading the University’s website as a tool for
disseminating the latest ideas and research findings and
informing of recent accomplishments and upcoming
events. For ease in navigating through the UNU system
online, the main website includes linkages to the websites
of the individual RTC/Ps. During the year, UNU/ESD
launched new websites dedicated to the Climate Affairs
Capacity Development Programme 14 and to a project on
Arsenic Contamination in the Asian Region 15 .
Public Information
UNU Homepage
http://www.unu.edu/
UNU continues to keep in touch with our various
stakeholders and to inform the general public in our host
countries and throughout the world about the work of the
UNU Centre and its Research and Training Centres and
Programmes (RTC/Ps). Dissemination modes include
brochures, newsletters, press releases, publications,
catalogues, Internet websites, a variety of public events
and other public information vehicles. The Internet-based
monthly newsletter UNU Update features highlights of the
work of UNU and succinct information on issues being
14 See http://www.unu.edu/env/CAP/Index.htm.
15 See http://www.unu.edu/env/Arsenic/Index.htm.
addressed in different parts of the UNU system. The
newsletters UNUnexions (which provides a “snapshot” of
recent UNU activities) and Work in Progress (a themefocused
review of recent and ongoing research work and
findings) are disseminated both through paper copies and
the UNU website.
In 2002, UNU Centre distributed an average of 500
copies each (English and Japanese) of more than 50 press
releases. This contributed to the work of UNU being
mentioned in the Japanese vernacular press over 270 times
in 2002, and more than 30 times in the local English
media.
UNU Centre also prepared a third series of 15-, 30- and
60-second public service announcements, giving a general
introduction to UNU and its international network of
RTC/Ps, for broadcast to television viewers worldwide on
CNN. These spots appeared during the lead-up to the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, and continue
to appear on CNN.
Global Seminars in Japan
UNU’s outreach programme is designed to foster a better
understanding of the United Nations and issues of global
concern among university students and young
professionals. Prominent in this effort are the UNU Global
Seminars, which are held annually in Japan, the host
country of UNU Centre. Following expansion to
Kanazawa in 2001, the Global Seminars series was
extended in 2002 to the Tohoku region in northern Japan.
UNU Global Seminars are now held annually in seven
locations throughout Japan, and preparations are underway
on organizing the first UNU Global Seminar session
outside of Japan – in Seoul, Republic of Korea – in 2003.
More than 2,600 persons have participated in UNU
Global Seminars since inception of the series in 1985. In
2002, some 420 young people from Japan and other
countries attended the following seven seminars, which
were taught by a faculty of academics and policy
professionals from Japan, the UN system and other
organizations:
• “Prevention and Resolution of Conflict” in Shimane (3–6
August; 67 participants),
• “Information and Media in the Age of Globalization” in
Hokkaido (27–30 August; 43 participants),
• “Cross-border Movement of People” in Shonan (2–6
September; 97 participants),
• “Science and Technology, Welfare, and Gender: Local
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