The world is facing problems such as population increase, poverty, and environmental degradation. International cooperation is essential in order to provide solutions to problems such as these. With this in mind, we, students representing 19 countries and area of the world, have gathered in Tokyo, Japan to discuss important issues, focusing on “Understanding the Importance of International Cooperation in Food, Agriculture, and Environment.” Thus, we have agreed upon the following statement, which we publicly announce:

1. The recent advance of several high profile food-borne illness outbreaks has brought food safety and sanitation to the forefront of consumers’ attention. Food safety is the action of monitoring food in order to ensure that it will not cause illness. We, as students, have asked ourselves what can be done to eliminate the growing problem of food-borne illness. We can try to ensure the safety of food by sharing responsibility among food producers, educational institutions, industries, Governments, and consumers. The food safety standard must be attainable for all countries, and must be instituted as soon as possible. We need to assure each country’s capability to implement the standard or regulation. To be able to reach the global standard in every country, all countries must work in cooperation to provide adequate technical assistance. Hence, the regulations should be well-organized and rooted in environmental conservation and equity. Regulations should not be limited to personal opinions but should be culturally sensitive. On the other hand, as food security is the root of food safety, we must be concerned that all people are provided with enough nutritious food at all times. The commitment from both developed and developing countries must be promoted as a common way of thinking.



2. Sustainable agriculture involves agricultural producers and researchers producing food that is environmentally sound, profitable, and compatible with socio-economic conditions. In order for this to occur, we, as students who are majoring in agriculture-related sciences, must maintain close communication and practice between producers, researchers, consumers, and the society at large. Development of local communities and cooperation between developed and developing countries must be encouraged with the active facilitation of students. Knowledge of local systems from developing countries should be combined with the technological resources of developed countries to create sustainable agriculture technology. Strengthening the multilateral and bilateral cooperation and the understanding between and among these countries is a way to achieve this ideal.



3. Rapid change in human lifestyles has caused many environmental problems. The framework of current economic developmental and rapid population growth are some of the reasons for this problem.　Increased conflicts over natural resources require revision of current resource management practices. Environmental problems are not limited by national borders and need transnational cooperation. To set up international cooperation, we need international agreements. Experiences and results from other countries can be used for environmental conservation activities in our own countries. However, the most effective way to solve these problems is through collective action. Some entities, however, do not realize the complexity of these problems or prefer to give priority to other interests. The acquisition of general knowledge is as important as the ability to spread it and to be open to new inputs and to create  a consensus. As students, we can make a difference by making others aware of the problems by promoting techniques for environmental conservation.

Through our respective disciplines we hold the responsibility of ensuring a sustainable future for the global community and a more prosperous world. We, the students, thank Tokyo University of Agriculture for organizing the 7th International Students Summit held on November 29th and 30th, 2007.

November 30, 2007
International Students Summit