The Joint Humanitarian Entrepreneurship Summer Academy

The 2018 Humanitarian Entrepreneurship Summer Academy, jointly organized by Beijing Normal University, Lingnan University, and Xihua University, supported by the United Nations Development Program China, aimed to bring awareness and understanding of sustainable developments and humanitarian aid among students. Twenty-three university students from 11 countries across different continents participated in the program with their diverse cultural and education backgrounds.

Professors, UNDP representative and students in opening ceremony

 

The summer academy run for four weeks: two weeks in Beijing and two in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Inauguration ceremony at BNU on June 11, 2018 was remarkably the highlight of the event with all students breaking ice and development experts from academia and the UN sharing their knowledge and perspective of global issues and sustainable development goals. Ms. Chan Wing Yee (Constance), Service-Learning Teaching fellow in Lingnan University, made key opening notes and facilitated day one proceedings. 

 

Ms. Chan Wing Yee, delivering opening remarks during inauguration

 

Among the managing team for the program is Prof. Zhang (Braven) Qiang, Vice Dean of School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP), BNU. His speech integrated extensive knowledge and practical experience in social innovation, governance, public management, disaster risk management and research.

“We need to solve global problems through SDGs by building mutual trust which is good for the future and engaging more initiatives to solve the problems,” said Prof. Zhang. “During your forth coming trip to Chengdu it is important to understand the local context and develop holistic innovative ways to bridge the boundary with local people-solutions and ideas for the future.”

 

 

Prof. Zhang (Braven) Qiang Addressing participants

 

Dr. Ko Wing Yin, another leading member of the program, Associate Director at the Office of Service-Learning, Lingnan University, experienced engineer, accomplished entrepreneur, innovative educator, humanitarian worker and researcher.  “It took 10 years to develop the program by myself as an engineer and Braven who is a social scientist. We wanted to try everything possible to develop something innovative,” Dr. Ko said. Then he welcomed everyone to the program.

 

Dr. KO welcoming participants to the program

 

Ms. Zhang Sujuan, Head of Disaster Management, UNDP China, interpreted UNDP’s role in ensuring localization of the 17 SDGs and supporting local government in integration of development plan with SDGs. She added, “We encourage youths to participate in SDGs for example through Belt and Road Initiative.”

Ms. Zhang Sujuan, UNDP China Representative making a speech

 

Guest Speakers during the opening ceremony included Professor Li Jing, from College of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management of BNU and Professor Ye Qian, Director of the IHDP Core Project on International Crisis Prevention.

 

Professor Li Jing, the Guest Speaker

 

 

Professor Ye Qian, the Guest Speaker

 

The Joint Humanitarian Entrepreneurship Summer Academy offered classroom lectures and field study sessions including interactive discussions and debates among students by focusing on two main courses. In Innovative and Entrepreneurship course, students learned about innovation and start-up models, technology and humanity and other essential aspects of global problems solving skills.

 

 

Students sharing innovative ideas in smaller groups 

 

 

Students learning with fun during group discussions

 

 

Under Sustainable Development Goals and Humanitarian Governance course, students gained initial understanding of the global humanitarian system and its interaction with social problems such as health, conflicts, and poverty among others, and how to address global problems through innovation in order to achieve SDGs.

Dr. Pierre Miege, Associate Professor, SSDPP, BNU, interacting with students before discussions on SDG #3

 

Ms. Hao Ruixi, Program Manager, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation giving a lecture

 

 

BNU Students on campus tour with students from Lingnan and Xihua Universities 

 

 

 

Written By: Lwana Palwendo Kamanga

Edited By:  Xu Shiling

Photos By: Lwana Palwendo Kamanga