The long term objective should be to achieve a high degree of self-financing for the WEU. However, initial funding of at least US$5 million will be needed to develop the University through the launching of its initial programs. This will have to come primarily from Korean sources. Korea will need to take a lead in mobilizing the funds required for the ongoing operation of the University until the WEU has progressed to the point where it can command attention and support of international funding sources and significant fee income. The process to establish the University will be initiated as soon as the final decision of the Government of South Korea is confirmed.

The University will contribute, through its high quality of education, training and research, to the containment, reduction and management of the problems confronting humanity in the transition to sustainable way of life utilizing the latest technologies of distance learning. Through international collaboration and leadership, it will generate, mobilize and share knowledge, experience and skills throughout the world so as to promote equitable and sustainable progress and to preserve and enhance the natural world on which humanity depends. As merit of the location of center in Northeastern Asia and North and South countries, Jeju Island has a remarkable natural beauty matching with unique environmental culture tradition, and a wide range of expertise, connections and capabilities in regard to global commerce, finance and transportation, and to the management of watersheds and biodiversity as a newly established international free city, all of which are relevant to world environment of sustainable development.

The name of the University. While there is a close relationship between the environment and peace, this should be reflected in the establishment of an institute or program rather that in the name of the University which should be, as originally conceived, the World Environment University. The credibility of the University will depend on the involvement in it from the beginning of highly influential leaders of the world environment movement. There is no better way of ensuring this than to obtain the formal involvement of IUCN which has in its membership most of the leading nongovernmental and governmental organizations of the environment and conservation movement