Winds of Change – North Asia

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

Who can apply?

2022 applications have now closed

We are seeking postgraduate students and recent graduates with demonstrated leadership skills and an interest in climate change and sustainability. We will also consider applications for undergraduates in their final year of study that have demonstrated independent research experience. We expect that these candidates will discuss aspects of this research experience in their applications. Positions are available for both New Zealand and China based participants. Please note that you must currently live in those countries. We are currently looking for the following to grow our network:

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

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.

You should have:

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

2022 schedule

Participants will be required to attend the following:

1 July – Welcome session for 2022 participants (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm)

8 July – Science workshop (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with four speakers)

22 July – Networking session from (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm)

5 August – Science Communication workshop from (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with four speakers)

19 August – Networking session workshop from (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm)

2 September – Business workshop (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with four speakers)

16 September – Networking session (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm)

30 September – Policy workshop (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with four speakers)

14 October – Networking session (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm)

28 October – Group work support session ahead of Symposium

11 November – Practice Symposium (from 1:00pm to 4:00pm)

1 December – Symposium (from 1:00pm to 4:00pm)

5 to 9 December – Field trip for New Zealand-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.