Region: China
Author: Peter Lynch, Green Across the Pactific
Consortium Member: Virtual Foundation Director (ECOLOGIA)
Status: Funded and Ongoing
Budget: $18000
Collected: $18000
Needs: $0
Result: High school students from Guangdong (southern China) and Vermont work cooperatively to explore natural resource management and develop environmental policies
Donors: Various individuals and foundations
Comment: Green Across the Pacific's summer exchange programs alternate between southern China and Vermont. Teenagers experience the cultural enrichment of an immersion program, with an environmental policy and leadership focus.
Mission
Green Across the Pacific seeks to improve cultural and environmental awareness and cooperation between North American and Asian Countries, through international student exchanges focusing on natural resource management and environmental policy.
The process of rigorous shared study through a common interest has a powerful capacity to build community across national and cultural borders. When students develop an understanding of the role that they can play by addressing the complexity of environmental science in the context of political, economic, cultural and historical interests, they will be better able to address the challenges that we face today and that they will face in the future.
Background
Green Across the Pacific of Shoreham, Vermont, USA, and the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University of Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China, entered into an agreement in 1996. They have a framework for Chinese and American students and teachers to exchange methods and content in subtropical and temperate environmental science and leadership education.
Our programs meet current needs in both countries. China is experiencing tremendous environmental problems while it works to develop its economy. Americans have an insufficient understanding of China and other Asian countries, yet need to work cooperatively.
Green Across the Pacific is well positioned to address both of these needs. Vermont, while far from perfect, has an exceptional record of environmental stewardship. It is a small state with an accessible system of governance and extensive human and environmental resources. Vermont offers an ideal setting for young people to explore the complexities of natural resource management in a context in which they may interact with policy makers. In short it is an ideal place to develop environmental leadership skills. Additionally, our programs help young Chinese to gain an improved understanding of the United States, and young Americans to learn more about our domestic environmental and energy challenges.
2005 Program Description Four Chinese educators and twelve secondary students from the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University will travel to Vermont for a two-week program in August 2005. They will work cooperatively with Vermont high school students to investigate the field biology and politics involved in wildlife and natural resource management.
American participants will include students who participated in the 2004 expedition to Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China, and newcomers who expect to travel to China in 2006. An in depth study of a current environmental challenge in the region will be the focus of activities designed to give a broad overview of the natural history, economic interests and politics involved in natural resource managemnt in Vermont. The program will provide an opportunity for students to apply scientific concepts, and also history, politics, cultural studies, and their leadership, writing and visual skills in a genuine and unique exchange. The work of our students will inform public debate about current environmental issues, and develop leadership skills that they can bring home to local communities in the United States and China.
Comments by students who have been accepted into the Summer 2005 program:
"I want to see how America is like by my own eyes instead of from the Internet or TV program, or the newspaper. Vermont is called “the state where people and the natural environment live in harmony.” So it must be something that is worth to learn. I am looking forward to live in a natural American family and to make communication with the natural people. I also want to see how American students study in their daily times and how they live with the nature environment. And I would like to try to cooperate with the students in Vermont to work on the projects which we are going to research together." [teenager from Guangdong]
"During the visit, I will be able to learn about the knowledge that I desire, make new friends, improve my English and develop dozens of skills. I look forward to the research of amphibians and the "Vermont way" to develop both environment protection and [resource use such as] mining at the same time." [teenager from Guangdong]
"What I hope to gain from this exchange is hands on learning in field work, and also the experience of being involved with and learning about a new culture. What I hope to learn from the field work is the process of species collection and learning about them in detail. I am most interested to learn about our local wildlife here at home, and methods of wildlife preservation. What I would like to learn about the Chinese culture is how the most populated country deals with problems like pollution. It would also be interesting to me to find out whether or not the Chinese keep pets and what their attitude towards pet ownership is. I studied the Mandarin Chinese language all through middle school and I am fascinated by every aspect of their culture." [teenager from Vermont]
"It is a good chance to develop my ability in lots of fields, such as learning of biology, geography, and English. It is quite an interesting thing to stand on the opposite land of the earth and face different people, different scenes and different customs. I look forward to learning how people deal with the problem between human and nature especially on resources and rubbish produced from life or industry." [teenager from Guangdong]
"Locally, I am interested to learn more about the flora and fauna. I’d like to be able to identify and name plants, trees, and animals.... I would like to learn more about it so that I can have a better appreciation of where I live." [teenager from Vermont]
"I am very proud of American life, and our respect for the environment around us. We have an open-mindedness about how we use non-traditional ways of problem solving, like recycling by reusing old materials in new ways. In America we take pride in knowing that we can make a difference individually, as well as us as a whole. I would love to share these aspects of American culture with the Chinese students." [teenager from Vermont]
"I’m very interested in participating in this program. Because the adventure of life is to learn, the purpose of life is to grow, the beauty of life is to befriend. Taking part in this program can not only help me to learn more knowledge about any subject, but also help me to touch and feel the culture of America and know the developing speed of the world. I’m sure that this journey will be a deep impression in my heart and important experience in my future." [teenager from Guangdong]
Budget Summary
| Total Income to date | $15,300 |
| Total Expenses | $21,450 |
| Needed | $6,150 |
Detailed Budget
| Program Expenses | |
| Rooms & Meals: Camp Thorpe | $6,500 |
| Room rental (classroom & events) | $400 |
| Welcome Dinner- potluck | 0 |
| Closing Ceremony and Reception | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,720 |
| Instructor Stipend | $2,000 |
| Consultant Stipends | $1,500 |
| Assistant Stipend | $1,000 |
| Health & Travellers Insurance | $540 |
| Fees & Supplies | $2,000 |
| General expenses | |
| Scholarships | $1,000 |
| Liability Insurance | $1,500 |
| Office & communications | $1,000 |
| Supplies | $500 |
| VF Administrative fee | $290 |
| Total Expenses for Summer 2005 | $21,450 |
| Income | |
| Contributions received | $8,300 |
| Grants received | $4,000 |
| Tuition received, from Vermont students | $3,000 |
| Total income | $15,300 |
| STILL NEEDED - Requested from Virtual Foundation | $6,150 |
Green Across the Pacific
Peter Lynch, Executive Director
1594 North Orwell Road
Shoreham, Vermont 05770
Tel
802-897-5835
email: peter@gatp.org