Special Issue on ^|^ldquo;Geography in the World^|^rdquo; for the IGU (International Geographical Union) Kyoto Regional Conference 2013

Abstract

From August 4th to 9th 2013, the “IGU Kyoto Regional Conference 2013,” (hereafter “Kyoto Conference”), will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto. With the IGU as the parent organization, more than 1,000 researchers and graduate students from all over the world are expected to participate. A research conference of this size for geographers has not been held in Japan for 33 years since the 24th International Geographical Congress in Tokyo in 1980. It was decided at the IGU General Assembly held in Tunis in August 2008 to hold the regional conference in Kyoto. Organized by the National Committee of Japan for the IGU, the Science Council of Japan has been added as a joint sponsoring organization. In August 2010, the Organizing Committee of the IGU Kyoto Regional Conference 2013, which plays a major role in promoting preparatory activities, was inaugurated. The Tokyo Geographical Society is also participating in planning as a joint sponsoring organization, carrying out preparatory activities and providing financial support. The main theme of the Kyoto Conference is “Traditional Wisdom and Modern Knowledge for the Earth’s Future.” Regarding the main subject, according to the Organizing Committee, more than 1,000 research presentations are expected to be given on geography from a cultural perspective on the dynamics of economic spaces, global transformation and population flows, geographic information science (GIS), biodiversity, natural disasters, land use/land cover change (LUCC), land degradation and desertification, sustainable agricultural systems, geo-parks, geography education, the Geography Olympiad, water sustainability, and others. In addition to general research presentations, a diverse program of special lectures, commissioned sessions, academic exhibitions, corporate exhibitions, excursions, and field trips, as well as public citizen lectures are being prepared. In April 2013 a special postage stamp will also be issued.