A list of seminars, master classes and workshops organised and run by the China Sustainability Hub at the School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP), Beijing Normal University.
Workshop on “Low-carbon energy transitions that meet the needs of the poor”
- Date: December 16, 2014
- Venue: 2026, School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP)
- Participants: Adrian Ely, Sam Geall, Braven Zhang, Lichao Yang, students of SSDPP, and representatives from local environmental NGOs, etc.
- Language: English & Chinese
Workshop on “Women’s development in South-south collaboration”
- Date: March 24, 2015
- Venue: 2023, SSDPP
- Participants: Kevin May (Oxfam Hong Kong), Man Yang (Action Aid China office), representatives from UN Women, Karl Johnson, Lichao Yang, and about 15 students from SSDPP
- Language: English
Introduction: South-south collaboration is more than just economic cooperation. It is also about exchanging knowledge, experience and expertise. Global action to improve women’s status and gender relations should be enhanced in the process of south-south collaboration. This workshop invited representatives from a few major international donor agencies to share their ideas and successes among developing counties. SSDPP students also contributed their knowledge and experience from their own perspectives.
Workshop on “The development of ‘Development Studies’ in China”
- Date: May 14, 2015
- Venue: 2027, SSDPP
- Participants: Joost Monks (Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies)\ Bo Meng (Tsinghua University), Xiaojiang Hu (SSDPP), Xinsong Wang (SSDPP), Lichao Yang (SSDPP), Braven Zhang (SSDPP), Lei Zhu (SSDPP)
Introduction: Dr. Joost Monks is the Managing Director of the Network for international policies and cooperation in education and training (NORRAG) at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Switzerland. Dr. Monks and his assistant came to SSDPP to host a discussion on the development of Development Studies in China. Development Studies as a discipline in China’s higher education started in early 1990s. The first degree programme in Development Studies was established at China Agricultural University by Prof. Li Xiaoyun, who introduced western development theory and approaches to China. Meanwhile, various formal and informal networks in promoting development issues emerged in Beijing, Yunnan and Guizhou. After 40 years’ of development, Development Studies has now become a discipline adopted by many universities and research institutions in China. This workshop sought to review the general development and current situations of Development Studies in China.
Seminar on “Preparation for Population Ageing: Scientific Lessons from the United States”
- Date: June 3rd, 2015
- Venue: 2026, SSDPP
- Speaker: Professor Ada C. Mui
Introduction: In the field of social gerontology we always look for the best approaches to the challenges of population ageing. Scientific evidence has been produced on the positive health and mental health benefits of productive ageing. Meaningful social engagement in later life has been documented to have significant positive impacts on older adults, families, and society. The challenging question is how to support human capital development among the ageing population so as to achieve successful ageing outcomes. Strategies on how to maximize healthy and productive ageing in the context of volunteerism and age-friendly community development were discussed.
Seminar on “Environmental exposures and public health”
- Date: July 1 2015
- Venue: 2026, SSDPP
- Speaker: Michael Hendryx
- Language: English
- Participants: Staff and students from SSDPP
Introduction: The presentation reviewed studies on the public health impacts of surface coal mining. Particular attention was paid to a form of surface mining called mountaintop removal that is common practice in the United States. Studies from other parts of the world were also briefly described. Evidence was presented that documented epidemiological disease patterns for populations living in proximity to surface coal mining. Environmental evidence on water and air pollution in residential areas close to mining was also summarised. It was agreed that the weight of the evidence compelled action, including the discontinuance of mountaintop removal mining due to its environmental and public health effects. The implications for surface mining in China were also discussed.
Masters class and workshop on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Time: October 6, 2015
- Venue: 2026, SSDPP
- Participants: 2015 international and Chinese students at SSDPP, Ms. Ren Mengying (UNDP), Lichao Yang (SSDPP), Braven Zhang (SSDPP)
Introduction: This Master’s class & workshop aimed to introduce the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and inspire both international and Chinese students to think of development strategies and actions for people and prosperity in specific country contexts. Ms. Ren Mengying is a Programme Officer at UNDP Beijing Office, who has just returned from the UN conference on the 2030 Agenda in the United States. The first part of the event was a one-hour presentation given by Mengying on the 17 sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets recently announced by the UN. Mengying also encouraged participants to recognise poverty in all forms and dimensions. The second part was a workshop during which participants from all countries shared their experiences and ideas about how to make transformative steps towards a sustainable and resilient planet.