A University-Hosted Program in Pursuit of Coastal Sustainability: The Case of Tokyo Bay

Sustainability

Midori Kawabe¹  Hiroshi Kohno¹  Takashi Ishimaru² 

[1] Division of Marine Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan; E-Mails:;Oceanographic Observation Center, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan; E-Mail:

关键词: coastal sustainability;    capacity development;    the engagement of scholarship;    participatory action research;    service learning;    HESD;    Tokyo Bay;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su5093819

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This study presents a unique way by which a university program can contribute to capacity development for coastal sustainability. The program is steered by a working group of volunteer faculty members, having different academic backgrounds, in collaboration with students and marine professionals, including fisherfolk and environment education interpreters. Although the program began with conventional educational ideas and style, its practical framework evolved to include interactive activities with collaborators in the community, all of which were geared toward social learning. The combination of service learning and participatory action research (PAR) was proven to be an adequate approach to link higher education for sustainable development (HESD) and university-community partnerships and to promote learning for coastal sustainability. Challenges identified include (1) ensuring continuity of learning and (2) reducing the heavy workload of faculty members involved in program preparation and coordination. The authors would like to emphasize the possibilities offered by the engagement of scholarship in the capacity development for coastal sustainability by focusing on community-based efforts.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.