Organised by the British Council China this unique

educational trip is being offered to 16-18 year old UK & Chinese students.

Dates: 28th July to 9th August

Cost: Camp in China £400 – plus airfares from UK around £842

Lijiang is a popular tourist destination in the heart of Yunan, known for its wide mix of ethnic groups, stunning natural environment and rich biodiversity. This is the venue for the British Council China and Yunnan Provincial Department of Education’s summer school with the theme of environment, language and culture. The camp will enable British and Chinese students to investigate the environment based on a hands-on exploration of Lijiang and its surroundings as well as to learn Chinese language and culture.

Goals of the Summer Camp

•Build young peoples understanding of the natural environment, how it works and how our lifestyles have an impact on it.

•To raise young peoples awareness and understanding of local, regional and international environmental issues within the context of sustainable development.

•To develop lasting cultural links and understanding between young people in the UK and China.

•To develop an appreciation for Chinese and UK cultures, traditions and livelihoods.

•Build young people personally and enhance their self-esteem, motivation and inter/intra-personal skills.

•To achieve all this in a fun and exciting way!

Who is Organising the Camp?

The camp is being run by the British Council Chongqing and Yunnan Provincial Department of Education. The British Council and Yunnan Provincial Department of Education have many years experience organizing camps for young people from China and the UK on the themes of language and culture. This is the first year that the environment will be a key theme.

How do we get involved?

Places are limited to 30 UK students and 30 Chinese students, and are offered on a first come first served basis – so early registration is advised. Schools may apply as a group of 3 or more students together with an accompanying teacher. Bursaries maybe available for accompanying teachers – please ask for more details.

Deadline of the applications is the 26th May. Contact the British Council to register – see contact details below.

Camp Content

The camp will focus on the three major themes outlined below.

1.  Environmental activities:

Two key themes have been identified for the environment element of the camp – water and biodiversity. The proposed content is described below.

•Water – a participatory study focusing on the historical and present day importance of water to the daily life and culture of people in Lijiang. The study will focus on the water basin extending from Jade Snow Dragon Mountain to the agricultural fields just south of Lijiang. The students will carry out social, cultural and scientific studies of water use past and present. Through this they will build up a ‘picture’ of how water is central to the life of people in Lijiang and how it is managed from both a modern and historical perspective. The work will be supplemented by a trip to Lashi Lake where water has multiple uses – tourism, biodiversity, irrigation and fishing.

•Biodiversity – an exploration of biodiversity in terms of human sustainability. Through visits to natural areas surrounding Lijiang (Alpine Botanical Garden and Wenhai Lake) we shall investigate how ecosystems function, their benefits for humans, and how we can manage ecosystems sustainably. Activities will include basic techniques for identifying and monitoring biodiversity, mapping ecosystems and examining their functions.

Putting it all together – recognising that water and biodiversity do not exist in isolation a number of activities that link human systems (social and economic) with natural systems will be led. Activities will explore the relationship between humans and the environment.

2.   Learning

One hour each morning using a communicate approach to consolidate learning from the day before.  Majority of language learning activity-based, linked to environmental programme.  Worksheets and communication tasks linked to activity will also be used.

3.  Cultural activities:

Lijiang has a rich and varied culture. We shall not only observe local cultures but actively experience them through:

•Guided tour to learn about Dongba culture, religion and language

•Learn about Chinese tea culture

•Naxi ancient music (enjoy the Naxi ancient music performed by Naxi older people most of who are over 70 or 80 years old)

•Tai Chi course / Chinese calligraphy and painting course

•Visit to the traditional tribal village and the village school around Wenhai lake – including home stay with the local Naxi people.

•Visit to local markets and first bend of the Yangtze river  

•Ethnic groups (how do over 20 ethnic groups live together harmoniously)

Additional activities will develop and cement relationships between the Chinese and UK students with the hope that long lasting ties emerge between both schools and individuals. These activities will include:

•Developing Camp Newsletters – mixed student teams will use newsletters to reflect the learning and opinions of the students. The newsletters could be further developed as a vehicle for students to exchange ideas and form the basis of learning materials for Chinese and UK schools.

•Camp Journalists – a small group of students will act as journalists with the role to interview students throughout the camp that can be developed into a DVD record of the camp.

•Photo Exhibition – selected photos, captions and quotes will be used to create an high profile exhibition of the camp to be opened in Lijiang at the end of the camp.

Who are the participants?

If you are reading this then we hope that you are keen to join! We are looking for students from the UK and China who meet the criteria laid out below.

UK students

•16-18 years old

•Proven interest in environmental studies

•Proven interest in learning Chinese language and culture

•Open minded, adaptable to new situations and prepared to ‘have a go’

•Have a positive attitude to new ideas and experiences

Chinese students

•16-18 years old

•Proven interest in environmental studies

•Fluent spoken English and enthusiastic to communicate with British students

•Open minded, adaptable to new situations and prepared to ‘have a go’

•Have a positive attitude to new ideas and experiences

No. of the Chinese students: 30

No. of the British students: 30

Places are limited and offered on a first come first served basis – so early registration is advised. It is envisaged that a group of students and a teacher will come from each school.

Accommodation

Yuyuan Hotel – a safe and comfortable hotel ideally located for exploring Lijiang on foot.

(Facilities in the hotel will be confirmed later)

Cost

The camp cost in China is £400 (RMB 5,600, at the exchange rate 1:14). This covers all the camp related expenses in Lijiang including 3 meals per day, accommodation, travel and technical equipment required for the activities. Insurance is not included.

Return airfares London – Kunming – London costs at around £750 and return airfares Kunming – Lijiang – Kunming costs at around £92. Total cost on airfares is around £842.

Total cost per participant is around £1,242.

Background Information

The British Council’s School Links programme facilitates education co-operation between schools in UK and schools in China creating an opportunity for cultural exchange, language learning and professional development. Building understanding and friendship between the young people of the UK and China is, we believe, an essential means of bringing our two countries closer together.

Three Heritages of Yunnan

•The old Town of Lijiang

The Old Town of Lijiang, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today.

•Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

Consisting of eight geographical clusters of protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, in the mountainous north-west of Yunnan Province, the 1.7 million hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong and Salween run roughly parallel, north to south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 m deep and are bordered by glaciated peaks more than 6,000 m high. The site is an epicenter of Chinese biodiversity. It is also one of the richest temperate regions of the world in terms of biodiversity.

•Ancient Naxi Dongba Literature Manuscripts

A collection of 1,000 volumes housed in the Dongba Culture Institute in Lijiang (China), Dongba literature covers a wide range of contents and subjects including formation of the heavens and the world, the Genesis for all things and mankind, and the formation of ethnic groups. It spans the period of “age of God” to the “age of human being” (from ca 30 A.D. to the Tang Dynasty). It is rare to find literature covering such a long history written in archaic characters.

The summer school programme will be an innovative, exciting and unique opportunity for students to get behind the tourist view of China. It will engage participants in real-life hands-on research that builds their environmental, linguistic and cultural understanding, and provides a platform for further China-UK activities and school links.

Please contact the British Council Chongqing or visit www.britishcouncil.org.cn/en/china.htm for more information and application forms.

Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate-General

Room 5-7, 28 Floor Metropolitan Tower, No.68 Zou Rong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China

T +86 (23) 6373 6888 ext 239

F +86 (23) 6373 7898

summerschool@britishcouncil.org.cn