Winds of Change – North Asia

Aotearoa New Zealand and China may be in different hemispheres and separated by more than 10,000km of Pacific Ocean, but share similar climate change challenges and risks. China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner, but relations between China and Aotearoa are underdeveloped across the scientific sectors, with a need for knowledge transfer on climate change impacts. The Winds of Change North Asia programme draws on the common climate linkages to establish a New Zealand-China exchange and collaborative network of future leaders equipped to identify climate change solutions.

Who can apply?

NB: Applications for the 2023 programme have closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out about future intakes.

Postgraduate students and recent graduates with demonstrated leadership skills and an interest in climate change and sustainability.

Undergraduates in their final year of study who have demonstrated independent research experience. We expect that these candidates will discuss aspects of this research experience in their applications.

You must be currently resident in Aotearoa New Zealand or China.

We are currently looking for up to 30 new participants in the following groups:

• New Zealand Hons, Masters, PhD students or recent graduates (based in New Zealand)
• Chinese Hons, Masters, PhD students or recent graduates (based in New Zealand)
• Chinese Hons, Masters, PhD students or recent graduates (based in China)
• New Zealand Hons, Masters, PhD students or recent graduates (based in China)

You should have:

• a general background in a field of science/business/science communication/humanities
• a strong interest in developing sustainable business and climate science strategies
• an interest in the following areas: climate change science, social science, business. and policy making
• a will to work with like-minded individuals from another country.

You will be provided with the opportunity to:

• learn about future climate change impacts in China and New Zealand
• enhance your leadership skills and knowledge on climate change resilience
• be part of a growing bi-lateral network between New Zealand and China
• learn effective science communication techniques to convey research outcomes to a wide audience.

2023 schedule

Participants will be required to attend the following:

Welcome session

13 June: full-day event, in Auckland for New Zealand-based participants and online for China-based participants

Online workshops

7 July: Science Workshop (1-3pm NZST)
21 July: Introduction to Group Work (1-3pm NZST)
4 August: Science Communication Workshop (1-3pm NZST)
18 August: Group Work Session (1-3pm NZST)
1 September: Sustainable Business Workshop (1-3pm NZST)
15 September: Group Work Session (1-3pm NZST)
29 September: Policy Workshop (1-3pm NZDT)
13 October: Group Work Session (1-3pm NZDT)

Field trip

Late October (dates TBC) for New Zealand-based participants

Practice symposium

3 November (online, 1-4pm NZDT)

Symposium

6 December, in-person for New Zealand-based participants and online for China-based participants.

Please note that matauranga Māori and other indigenous views will be embedded in as many workshops as possible rather than presented as a separate topic.

Costs of attending in-person events and trips (for New Zealand-based participants) will be covered by the Winds of Change programme, and travel and accommodation arrangements will be made by the Winds of Change team.

If you have any questions about Winds of Change or the application process, please contact us at: [email protected].