Design for Sustainable Development: Local Ecosystems in Dali

Background:

This action-based learning course engages students in teams to apply design skills to address the sustainable development needs of entrepreneurial and community partner organizations. Throughout the course, students will use human-centered design tools such as interviewing, immersion, and prototyping during field trips and visits. They will conduct research in locations including Erhai Lake, the Ancient Town of Xizhou, Zhoucheng Village, and Eryuan County in Dali. Their findings will be integrated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to produce reflections and reports. This experience deepens students’ understanding of maintaining the balance of nature through technology. Topics covered range from the promotion of intangible cultural heritage and the preservation of ancient towns to the operation of guesthouses and the governance of local ecology.

Program locations: Dali and Eryuan in Yunnan Province

Duration: 28 December, 2024 – 8 January, 2025

Study Language: English

Accreditation: 2 credits

Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students from all disciplines are welcome. Students must have a good command of English.

Slot: 10

Testimonials:

This winter program allowed me to deeply appreciate the beauty of nature, providing a break from the hustle of the city. Our visit to the Bufang Apple Farm showcased a sustainable business model that not only protects the environment but also generates economic benefits. From this, I realized that economic development and environmental protection are not contradictory; through excellent business models, achieving a “win-win” outcome is entirely feasible.

— Shaotian Sun, Sophomore at JI

Through this course, we have gained a deep understanding that environmental conversation necessitates an integration of technology and ecology. By innovating our approaches, we can introduce advanced technologies into ecosystems, harnessing their power to address environmental challenges while preserving the natural ecological balance to the greatest extent possible. Such strategies will serve as sustainable models for future environmental efforts, ensuring the long-term well-being of our shared planet.

— Yifan Chen, Sophomore at JI