박진호 사무총장 - 환영사 - 3 
 by Jin - Ho Park 
 President of KOSEF 
 Seoul , Oct . 13 , 1998 
 Distinguished delegates , Ladies and gentlemen ! 
 It is my honour to be here with all of you at the International Workshop on Long - term Ecological Research and Biodiversity Conservation in East Asia and the Pacific Region . I heartily congratulate you on the successful opening of theWorkshop . I would also like to extend my greetings to all the participants and to express my warm wishes for the success of your deliberations . 
 We are now living in an age of information . That is turning the world into a global village . Approaching this great transitional period , we are aware of how cooperation with foreign countries must be regarded as an especially important path for us . Influence on one another is becoming more mutual . That ' s why the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation have enjoyed the fine spirit of cooperation with the National Science Foundation of the United States , the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science , National Natural Science Foundation of China , and other Asian Country counterparts . We are interested in supporting bilateral as well as multilateral cooperative activities with countries in the Asia and Pacific region . I am sure that the strong bonds that have existed among these countries will be further strengthened in the 21 st century for our mutual benefit . 
 We gather here today under the common premise that human activities are causing grave damage to the global environment . It ' s degradation has diminished ecosystem functions and has depleted many of the world ' s natural resources . The depletion and loss of these resources threatens both our quality of life and our future economic prosperity . In view of this , the environmental issue has been mounting rapidly as one of the critical issues in all countries and among the world science community as well . This reflects the acknowledgement of mankind of the importance of the environment in its life , and the close relationship between the environment and sustainable development . 
 I know that the Long - Term Ecological Research Network is also a part of such efforts at discovering scientific knowledge and increasing our understanding of the changing environment . 
 In view of this , I think that today ' s event deserves special concern from both our society and the science community in particular . 
 As for LTER activities , I know that among the critical factors for their successfulimplementation are international collaboration among member scientists and countriessuch as the exchange of information , knowledge and expertise . Long - term data are alsovery crucial to our understanding of environmental change and management This is due to the fact that comparative studies and a long - term perspective are vital in ecological research . In this regard , the LTER Network has designated research sites around the world to function as research platforms for comparative studies . Accordingly , I would like to ask all of you to cooperate more closely in improving our scientific understanding and in resolving environmental issues . 
 I am very pleased to support this international workshop on some of the environmental issues facing the globe . As you know , we at KOSEF have consistently tried to carry out a variety of programs designed to accelerate academic activities and international cooperation . 
 On this occasion , I would like to reaffirm our commitment to promoting basic research in natural science and engineering and improving international collaboration for a more prosperous and sustainable development . 
 Once again , I would like to thank the Korea LTER Committee for organizing this workshop , especially Prof . Kim Eun - Shik and Dr . Oh Jeong Soo . Their organizational efforts and dedication have made this workshop possible . Let me also thank Prof . James R . Gosz of the Univ . of New Mexico and Dr . William Chang of the National Science Foundation for their coordination of the workshop . 
 In closing , I hope that your discussions will be successful and contribute to protecting our natural ecological system . I wish that our foreign guests will have a pleasant and rewarding stay in this beautiful season in Korea . 
 Thank you for your kind attention . God bless you . 감사 합니다 .