Inst of Advanced Studies, United Nations Univ. |
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Inst of Advanced Studies, United Nations Univ. |
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| The Internet Conference on Integrated Bio-Systems (ICIBS) invited participants
to present practices, case studies, research and development projects wherein
integrated bio-systems are applied in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture,
built-structures and agro-industry and for food production, environmental
protection, waste management and treatment, and degraded land reclamation.
Such systems may integrate two or more biological systems to return nutrients
in organic materials and wastes into useful and value-added products using
processes involving microbes, organisms, plants, and animals. The conversion
of domestic wastes, agricultural and agroindustry by-products provide a
unique strategy to create a more ecologically sound and healthy environment
while providing viable income-generating activities and employment.
Twenty three papers were presented by authors from countries in different
continents and the Pacific Islands. The examples described in the papers
demonstrated the flexibility in designs and applications under different
climatic conditions, technological levels and scales. The papers provide
examples for
The Internet conference was a demonstration that electronic conferencing can serve as an alternative to the more costly and time-consuming travel that is needed to attend face-to-face symposia and congresses. ICIBS has provided the opportunity to scientists and technicans who would otherwise never had the opportunity because of international travel to interact without inhibition with experts. The exercise was educational and displayed an open willingness by experts and practitioners to share their knowledge with others. One outcome of ICIBS was therefore a greater awareness of the applications of biological technologies and as reported by participants who have started to re-design on-going projects to give more consideration to integration. Other participants made new project proposals and seeked the cooperation of other ICIBS participants. This action as a result of greater awareness is a very rewarding result of the conference. The conference was jointly organized by the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) of the United Nations University (UNU, Tokyo) and the UNESCO Microbial Resources Centre (Stockholm), as an activity of the UNU/IAS project "Zero Emissions Research Initiative" that focuses on the use of all biological organic waste outputs from human activities as inputs for other processes. The conversion of wastes into value-added products represents the positive solution to pollution problems that are often caused by the accumulation of underutilized byproducts. The approach also generates of jobs and create a new type of businesses that can foster a more sustainable lifestyle with the practice of ecological ethics. UNU/IAS also works with governments and industry to advocate zero emissions in their research and development programmes and to evolve them into industrial-scale pilot projects which can demonstrate both their technical viability and economic advantages. A high priority is given to disseminating the growing body of knowledge and experience on zero emissions to a wider audience. The Internet Conference on Integrated Bio-Systems provided opportunities
to participants to network with others, generated ideas for the development
of projects as well as for funding agencies to broaden the areas of funding
in research and development. We also hope that participants will continue
to keep close contact with the Integrated
Bio-Systems Network and look forward to developing co-operations in
the near future.
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