Together with the modernization of the world with rapid globalization, the concentration of people in major cities and the depopulation in the countryside have become serious issues. This trend can be seen as necessary to pursue economic growth with efficiency. However, we also cannot ignore the fact that globalization has a negative impact to the local communities.
These problems are well acknowledged in France and people take it seriously to protect small villages and their culture. On the other hand, it is not a major topic of discussion in Japan at all, even though their situation should not be left alone. In fact, rural towns/villages in Japan are having difficult times nowadays. M. Masuda, a former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, has pointed out that “896 municipalities will disappear before 2040” (Masuda, 2014). We need to consider what real richness is, not depending on GDP growth, but instead the quality of life we have. It leads to protect and accept the value of small communities which are easily neglected.
My workshop presentation will focus on the various kinds of experiments which are in progress in local municipalities internationally. Many of them are in difficult situations and have similar policies to improve. In particular, analysis of “the Most Beautiful Villages” associations shows the way linked with an implicit implementation of the principles of “convivialism,” which is the new idea to value cultural and mental richness more than material wealth. The study and analysis of the effort by the associations of “the Most Beautiful Villages” in France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), Italy (I Borghi più belli d’Italia) and Japan (Nihon de mottomo utsukushii mura rengō), will show that each of them aims for a model of sustainable community, with the same concept, but with a specific implementation.
This outcome will not demonstrate an ideal universal societal model. However, it will prove that it is possible to implement societal innovations with a certain variety, towards a goal in line with the same concept of the progress of humanity.
- Date & Time: December 17 (Mon.), 2018, 16:30-18:00
- Venue: Room 960, Bldg.#14, Waseda Campus, Waseda University
- Lecturer: Ryunosuke, TAKATSU, Ph.D. Student in Socioeconomics, University of Rennes 2 (France)
- Title: Comparative analysis of the recognition and promotion of the movement of the “Most Beautiful Villages” in France, Italy and Japan
- Coordinators: Naoyuki Umemori (Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics); Yoshihiro Nakano (Junior Researcher, ORIS)
- Language: English
- Open to: Students, faculty, staff and the general public
- Admission: Free
- Contact: [email protected]
