Award Ceremony 2024
The Award Ceremony for the 2024 (31th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Sumitomolife Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on November 12th, 2024.
Some 380 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music. Dr. YAMAGIWA Juichi as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr. IKEYA Kazunobu as Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by Expo '90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. MITARAI Fujio. After that, the hosts introduced the member of their respective committees. The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Ms. Carolyn Jayne Davidson, Consul-General, British Consulate-General (on behalf of British Ambassador to Japan), Mr. AIMOTO Hiroshi, Director, Kinki Regional Agricultural Administration Office (on behalf of Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Mr. KANBARA Norihumi, Deputy Director-General, City Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Mr. MORIOAKA Takekazu, Osaka Prefecture Deputy Governor (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. HARUKI Takashi, Director, Public Works Bureau, City of Osaka (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City). After that, Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. MITARAI delivered an address on behalf of the host organization. Dr. YAMAGIWA as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. William James Sutherland, the 2024 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform. Chairperson, Dr. YAMAGIWA outlined the reasons for the Award. Dr. Sutherland was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize by Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. MITARAI and a medallion by Dr. YAMAGIWA. On behalf of the guests, master of ceremony read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru. And, Ms. Davidson, Consul-General, British Consulate-General Osaka UK read a congratulatory message from Ms. Julia Longbottom, British Ambassador to Japan.
Then the introductory video of the prizewinner was presented on the screen. Dr. Sutherland delivered the prizewinner's address.
The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a violinist, Ms. SENJYU Mariko and COSMOS ensemble 2024.
Commemorative Lecture
The 2024 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Ito Hall, (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on November 16.
Dr. Sutherland gave a commemorative lecture after the introduction by Dr. IKEYA Kazunobu. After the lecture, followed by dialogues by Dr. Sutherland and Dr. ISHIHAMA Fumiko. And Dr. Sutherland and Dr. Dr. ISHIHAMA answered to questions from the audience, facilitated by Dr. MIYASHITA Tadashi.
【Time and date】
Saturday, November 16, 13:00 - 15:00
【Place】
Ito Hall(Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) Online delivery available (Zoom webinar)
【Attendance】
500 approx (200 on-site participants, 300 online participants)
【Program】
- Introduction of the Prizewinner
Dr. IKEYA Kazunobu (Chairperson, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts / Professor Emeritus, National Museum of Ethnology) - Commemorative Lecture "How to deliver effective conservation policy and practice"
Dr. William James Sutherland - Dialogue and Q&A session
Dr. William James Sutherland
Dr. ISHIHAMA Fumiko （Chief Senior Researcher, National Institute for Environmental Studies）
Coordinator: Dr. MIYASHITA Tadashi (Member, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts / Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)