In commemoration of 110th Anniversary of the Founding of Tokyo University of Agriculture, an International Students Summit on Food, Agriculture and Environment in the New Century is held. Students from twelve countries and areas in the world participated and discussed about present conditions and future issues on food, agriculture and environment. With this opportunity, we air our opinions and views raised in this Summit documented in this Tokyo Declaration, which we propose to the world.

1. Agriculture carries an important role of producing food for mankind to live. With the remarkable population increase since the 1950s, food production has been greatly increased through the Green Revolution, but negative effects to the environment and health occurred due to the intensive use of chemical fertilizers and agricultural pesticides. For now and the coming years, global food production increase and poverty alleviation are vital and agriculture plays an important role. “Therefore, we aim at sustainable development in the New Century through the recognition of the value of agriculture as a life industry, and the respect of the unique ecosystem and wisdom of each region. Through the collaboration between traditional agriculture knowledge and wisdom, and modern science and technology, we endeavor to develop environment-friendly technologies and production systems. Eventually, we hope to develop and promote a new form of organic agriculture which will meet social, economic and environmental requirements.”



2. Based on science and technology development, various new technologies are being developed and spread in the agricultural field. Among them, biotechnology，especially Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is considered the mainstream technology. Consumers also have strong concerns regarding GM crops and foods. “Therefore, we recognize the potentials of biotechnology including GMO based on judgment with right knowledge. At the same time, we, as agricultural students, need to study and research more about the safety of biotechnology especially GMO in relation to human health and environment, and we have a role of disseminating result-related information to consumers.”



3. In each region, history gave birth to food culture and molded people. By definition, food should be consistently safe from production to consumption. “Therefore, we create a new system wherein we can continuously be supplied and be able to consume safe foods. Each actor in the system, based on the social infrastructure provided and improved by the government, should consider the importance of safety issues such as pesticide residues at the production level, and post harvest and food additive usage problems at the processing and distribution levels. At the same time, we, as consumers, must think better of healthy regional food culture and are urged to cooperate and understand the added costs for commodities that are produced in a safe and environmentally friendly way.”



4. Nowadays, although trade liberalization is progressing under the WTO system, all countries and areas do not have access to fair food distribution because economic infrastructure and social infrastructure gaps still exist. “Therefore, we promote Regional Self-sufficiency mainly for staple foods by making use of the unique ecosystems and regional individuality from the local point of view. Then, in the global point of view, food self-sufficiency in the whole of Asia can be achieved if food self-sufficiency is promoted in each area.”



5. In the years to come, we, the students have a huge role to play. More international cooperation is encouraged through human resource exchange and sharing knowledge to overcome barriers such as academic disciplines and geographic borders. “Therefore, we, as the core group consisting of students from thirteen (13) countries and areas, aim to create an International Students Network. Also, we share a new and same value, wherein we need to create a new social system where an environmentally benefiting and safe food production, distribution, processing and consumption exist.”

In realization of this Tokyo Declaration, we take an oath to make an International Students Summit Action Plan foreach country and area.

November 20.2001
Tokyo