Worldwise Academy Women for Conservation Forum 2024
Following our community's efforts to recognise and promote gender equality on the week of International Women's Day, DCB has continued to participate in various activities that help us understand the importance of gender equality while celebrating women's accomplishments.
Worldwise Academy, an award-winning initiative of Dulwich College Beijing, is a platform that brings leaders and practitioners from various professional backgrounds to the College to share their insights and experiences with our students and community members. This year’s WWA Women Empowerment Forum, "Women for Conservation - Empowering Women to Protect the Planet,” spotlighted three extraordinary female leaders who have dedicated their careers to environmental conservation and safeguarding our planet and whose work has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to preserving the Earth for future generations:
Yan Shi, PhD
Director of China CSA Network, Founder and Executive Director of Shared Harvest, China Co-President of the International CSA Network (URGENCI)
Ms Shi is a notable figure in sustainable agriculture in China. She established the first community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm in the country, known as Little Donkey Farm. The farm grows and supplies organic vegetables to local families while also renting land to urban dwellers interested in agriculture. Later, Ms Shi founded Shared Harvest, a leading model in modern eco-agriculture in China. Her outstanding achievements have earned her global recognition, including being selected as a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum in 2016 and being named one of the "20 Food Leaders Under 40" in the world by the NGO Food Tank. In June 2023, she won the 15th John Cobb Common Good Award, the highest award in the field of ecological philosophy and ecological civilization worldwide.
Yue Pan
Vice Chairman and Researcher of Panwenshi Biodiversity Research Institute
Ms Pan is the founder of Beijing Cloud Network Company, which played a significant role in the application of online banking and electronic payment in China. Besides, she is also a part of the Panwenshi Biodiversity Research Institute, where she started by helping in the communication, network application, data collection, and analysis of ultra-high-definition surveillance systems in the field. Later on, she shifted her focus to daily operations and management of two research bases in Chongzuo and Qinzhou, Guangxi, and began to involve herself in the behavioural and socio-biological research of wild animals. Ms Pan is mainly responsible for population viability analysis of endangered white-headed langurs and Chinese white dolphins using mathematical models and computer simulation techniques.
Yuhan Li
The Regional Lead of the Shanshui Conservation Center
Ms Li’s work links wildlife conservation, community development and intercultural communication to achieve a human-nature coexistence world. Ms Li explores a wide range of issues, from national parks, community-based conservation, and citizen science to illegal wildlife trade. Her team also implemented China’s first snow leopard ecotourism program - Valley of the Cats, which has profound social and ecological impacts.
The event was hosted by students Natalie H and Elena T. They, along with their peers, highlighted the need to recognize the urgency of addressing deeply ingrained gender norms.
Tracy L, one of the leaders of the Women's Health and Menstruation student organisation, emphasised the importance of tackling biases that arise from a woman's biological reality, such as menstruation. This is necessary in order to promote a more equitable society. Her co-leader, Tracy L, shared an important reminder that we all belong to this world. People need to stand together and challenge biases to recognise and support that we all can contribute and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
The panel discussion on conservation was ably moderated by Ryan D and Cindy W J, who skilfully invited the panellists to share their thoughts on what conservation looks like in their respective fields while offering valuable advice to the audience.
During the course of the discussion, Dr Shi explained the symbiotic relationship between agriculture and culture as a way of promoting conservation and advocated for a holistic approach to sustainable farming. She encouraged people to better understand the importance of embracing agriculture in their lives, starting by observing their meals better.
Ms Pan eloquently expounded on her vision of 'conservation', embodying a future where the sanctity of all life and the equitable coexistence of every species on Earth are paramount. Furthermore, she introduced the concept of the 'education of respecting life'. Through this, she implored children and young individuals to cultivate a deep-seated reverence for life by patiently observing the resilience and struggle inherent in the survival efforts of every plant, insect, and animal. Such an understanding fosters a profound respect for each living entity, transcending to positively influence their perspectives and interactions with fellow human beings and the broader social ecosystem.
Ms Li underscored the importance of coexistence between humans and wildlife, emphasising the need for mutual respect and understanding. She gave the example of the issue of the increasing number of raccoon dogs in Shanghai and pointed out that feeding them is not a form of coexistence but rather creates an unnatural dependency on humans, which has negative impacts on society. Our speakers also shared that there are many opportunities for students to be involved in conservation efforts, emphasising that they can start by choosing a cause that resonates with their passions and interests.
Following the discussion, student Hillary T made an insightful observation of the progress women have made and the future we should aspire to. She pointed out that while it is important to celebrate the accomplishments of successful women, it is equally important to recognise their talents and skills despite the barriers and challenges they have faced. Our ultimate goal should be a society where events celebrating women are a thing of the past because obstacles preventing women from achieving their full potential have been removed, and we live in an equitable society where we celebrate people – men and women alike – on their merit and accomplishments, knowing no barriers pertaining to gender held anyone back.
Worldwise Academy
Launched in 2019, Worldwise Academy is dedicated to enriching our students’ career explorations by fostering meaningful connections between Dulwich College Beijing and the world of work and facilitating connections and engagement with professionals across various sectors. The initiative is chaired by Mr Anthony Coles, DCB Head of College, and an executive committee comprising selected parents, teachers and students collaborate to organise events that provide valuable career insights to the students. Throughout the year, the organising committee, together with DCB staff, leads various types of events, such as the Summit, World Speaker’s Series, Women Empowerment Forum, Parent Masterclass, InArt, Fireside talks and Company Visits. The initiative also won the International School Award in 2022.
