International Lake Environment Committee Foundation - ILEC

13/04/2026

Welcoming Newly Recruited Shiga Prefectural Employees for FY2026 Training Program

At the request of Shiga Prefectural Institute for Personnel Development, on April 13, 2026, ILEC delivered a lecture for newly appointed Shiga Prefecture employees on the theme:
“The Value of Lake Biwa and Shiga Prefecture from a Global Lake Perspective”

By comparing Lake Biwa with lakes around the world, the session highlighted the unique strengths and significance of both Lake Biwa and Shiga Prefecture. We hope that the participants will deepen their appreciation of these values and apply this knowledge in their future work within the prefectural government.

02/04/2026

A New Perspective for Understanding Water Connectivity from Lakes (ILLBM)―Announcement of Video Release and Revised Concept Paper

Lakes do not exist in isolation. They are part of a continuous water system that connects rivers, wetlands, groundwater, and human livelihoods. However, these connections are often not readily visible and have not always been fully captured within existing frameworks.

At ILEC, we are advancing the concept of Integrated Lentic-Lotic Basin Management (ILLBM) as a new perspective that builds upon Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM). ILLBM does not introduce a new system or framework. Rather, it is a new way of understanding water as a continuous system, helping to make existing efforts more effective.

The newly released video visualizes this concept based on the ILBM training modules. It illustrates how the ILLBM perspective can be superimposed onto key governance pillars such as “Policy,” “Institution,” and “Information,” while also highlighting the importance of “Heartware” (values, awareness, and culture).

In parallel, the revised concept paper provides a structured explanation of how this perspective complements existing water management frameworks and supports practical implementation.

https://ilec.or.jp/en/activities/sustainablelake/

31/03/2026

Cooperation in the FY2025 Regional Understanding Program by JICA Kansai

From March 10 to 11, 2026, ILEC cooperated in delivering lectures and organizing a field trip for the FY2025 Regional Understanding Program on lessons from development and conservation around Lake Biwa, hosted by JICA Kansai. This marked the seventh time ILEC has cooperated with this program. A total of 15 participants from 15 countries, all long-term international students studying at Japanese universities, took part in the program.

More info and photos are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/news/18055

From March 10 to 11, 2026, ILEC cooperated in deliverin…

31/03/2026

Follow-up on the FY 2024 JICA Training Program

On March 6, 2026, we conducted a follow-up session via Zoom for the JICA Training Program held in fiscal year 2024.

More info and photos are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/activities/resource/18063

On March 6, 2026, we conducted a follow-up session via …

23/03/2026

The latest issue of ILEC Newsletter (No.73) is now available!

We’re excited to share the latest issue (No. 73) of our newsletter, focusing on ILEC’s activities and lake basin management:https://ilec.or.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter73_e.pdf

In this issue, we bring you highlights including efforts to enable high school students to participate in the 20th World Lake Conference (WLC20) held in Brisbane, Australia, as well as exchanges between high school students from Shiga Prefecture and youth from around the world through the “Next Generation Empowerment Program” commissioned by Shiga Prefecture. We also feature events related to the first-ever United Nations-recognized World Lake Day, an interview with members of the 15th Scientific Committee, and the latest information on WLC21.

― TOPICS ―
◆ World Lake Day2025: Next Generation Empowerment Program
◆ World Lake Day–related Events
◆ Overview of Activities in FY2025
◆ 15th Scientific Committee Kicks Off: Meet the New Members!
◆ WLC21 to be Held in Tanzania in 2027!
◆ ILEC Supporters

11/03/2026

PESSVA Workshop Held in Malaysia!

Over the past three years, ILEC has been promoting the introduction of Participatory Ecosystem Services Shared Value Assessment (PESSVA) in Malaysia with support from the Japan Fund for Global Environment. Building on this effort, a new three-year initiative starting in FY2025 aims to disseminate an approach that integrates PESSVA, Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM), and Heartware (an approach to environmental conservation that emphasizes human empathy and translates it into action) across Asian countries.

As part of this initiative, a workshop was held in Kuala Lumpur on February 12, 2026, to discuss the contributions of PESSVA to environmental conservation.

More info and photos are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/activities/ilbm/18014

Over the past three years, ILEC has been promoting the …

13/02/2026

Exhibited a Booth at the Shiga Prefecture–Hosted “World Lake Day” Commemoration Event!

On Friday, February 6, 2026, we participated in the Forum on “Living with Lake Biwa: From the Past to the Present, and into the Future”, held at the Ritto Arts and Culture Center SAKIRA, and exhibited at our display booth. At the booth, we displayed posters and brochures introducing ILEC’s activities and the process leading up to the establishment of World Lake Day.

During a panel discussion at the forum, a high school student who had participated in the 20th World Lake Conference (WLC20) took the stage as a panelist. When he introduced the phrase “Youth are not the future leaders; they are the current leaders” from the WLC20 Youth Session, Mr. Mikazuki, Governor of Shiga Prefecture, commented that it was “encouraging,” drawing a warm response from the audience.

As the World Lake Conference was mentioned during the forum, some visitors who became interested in it also stopped by the ILEC display booth to learn more about its activities.

13/02/2026

Technical Cooperation Project for Improvement of Indonesian Lake Water Quality: Implemented

From January 19 to 24, 2026, ILEC, together with IDEA Consultants, Inc., implemented a project commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, titled “Technical Cooperation for Lake Water Quality Improvement in Indonesia.” This fiscal year marks the fifth year of the project. We invited three participants from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and conducted a training program for establishing a lake research center in Indonesia, etc.

More info and photos are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/activities/resource/17967

From January 19 to 24, 2026, ILEC, together with IDEA C…

11/12/2025

Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Scientific Advisor, Honored by the Governor of Shiga Prefecture

Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Scientific Advisor of ILEC (and former Vice President), has been recognized by the Governor of Shiga Prefecture for his particularly outstanding contributions to environmental conservation in Shiga Prefecture.
Drawing on his over 34 years of experience in the management of Lake Biwa and other Japanese lakes, Dr. Nakamura has delivered training to government officials, engineers, and researchers from around the world.
To date, 334 participants from 65 countries have completed his training programs, many of whom have applied their knowledge to improve lake management in their own countries. This award recognizes Dr. Nakamura’s long-standing and impactful contributions to the field.

Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Scientific Advisor of ILEC (and …

04/12/2025

International Youth Workshop Held

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, ILEC hosted the International Youth Workshop under the theme “Thinking about Lakes Together with the World,” as part of a commissioned project from Shiga Prefecture.

The purpose of this workshop was to use World Lake Day as an opportunity to raise interest in lake-related environmental issues, empower youth to take action toward solutions, and foster the next generation of internationally active leaders.

More event details and photos are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/lbmtp/17872

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, ILEC hosted the Internat…

07/11/2025

6th Lake Biwa Family Seminar: Connecting Local Action to Global Impact

On October 25th, the 6th Lake Biwa Family Seminar was held as part of the Kinki Rokin Social Contribution Project – Smile Plus, in collaboration with Kinki Labour Bank（Kinki Rokin）, the certified NPO Biwako Hojo no Sato, and Horiba Advanced Techno Co., Ltd. The theme of the seminar was “From Meta River to the World! ++ Connecting Through Eco Activities ++.”

The seminar consisted of two main sections: a presentation session and an outdoor activity. 33 parents and children attended the event.

More photos and event details are now available on the ILEC website: https://ilec.or.jp/en/news/17750

On October 25th, the 6th Lake Biwa Family Seminar was h…