Presidents of universities around the world voiced their opinions on environmental issues and international cooperation at the G8 University Summit in Sapporo, as discussions were launched during the summit's plenary and parallel sessions.

Opinions focusing on the two main themes of creating an international network between researchers to help achieve a globally sustainable society, and education of students and international leaders were exchanged at the sessions on June 30.

During the plenary session, five universities announced research and presented problems.

Bernd Huber, president of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, pointed out that while interdisciplinary networks existed, the problems of an absence of international cooperation between universities and universities conducting research independently remained.

Vladimir Kurilov, president of Far Eastern National University in Vladivostok, Russia, compared the Sea of Japan, which is surrounded by several countries, to a communal bath. He said that it was meaningless for one corner of the sea to be made clean while the rest remained dirty, adding that officials should not stop at a declaration, but move on to joint action.

During a debate, it emerged that linking university research results to actual change in people's actions remained an issue, and the opinion that universities should play an more active role in changing society was presented. However, it was also stated that even though universities were places to educate people who put forward their opinions, it was dangerous for a university as a whole to present a fixed opinion, and that universities should specialize in research and education.

In the summit's parallel sessions, each of the 35 participating universities from 14 countries reported on their efforts.

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