Background and Overview
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were unanimously adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, calling on the world to act together to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and future of all people.
In accordance with the requirements of global competence, this project is guided by professional instructors, through 7-day immersive and participatory rural surveys and research, to guide students to master social survey methods, understand the UN sustainable development goals, form a research report, and propose to promote sustainable development Practical actions to achieve the goal.
The Chinese experience has become an indispensable link to solving global problems. While focusing on European, American, and international education, young people should also improve their understanding of local culture, characteristics, and governance capabilities, combine international discourse with their own national development and participate in youth advocacy actions. So as to truly have an international vision and Chinese experience and lead the future world development.
Why do we need to participate in Project-Based Research in a rural area?
Keywords:
– UN Sustainable Development Goals
– World Heritage
– Academic Research
– Rural Construction
– Volunteer Service
– Research Report
Project Description
Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing is located in the southwest of the district, 17 kilometers away from Huairou District, covers an area of about 200 square kilometers, has a permanent population of about 15,000, and has 21 administrative villages under its jurisdiction. Chestnut, tourism and cold-water fish farming are the three leading industries in Bohai Town: here is one of the main production areas of chestnut in the suburbs of Beijing. It also has Mutianyu Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall, Xiangshui Lake, and other well-known attractions. Through research, understand the geographical location, location advantages, and characteristics of Bohai Town, as well as the current challenges and future plans, and think about how to match the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on the road of beautiful rural construction, rural revitalization, and poverty alleviation. Integration of theory and practice, international paradigm, and domestic policies.
Learning the Methodology of Sustainable Development
Understanding the background, content, and practical significance proposed by UN sustainable development goals, preliminarily studying the methodology of Social Sciences, the design method of investigation and research, the method of comparative analysis, the method of field investigation, and the method of group study. Conducting the project design in groups according to the advanced international learning method—Project Based Learning method.
1. Green development and ecological construction
The progress of coal-to-electricity reform in Bohai Town ranks at the forefront of the region; the installation of 51 restaurants’ fume purification equipment will be completed in 2019; the remediation of open-air barbecues, straw burning, and construction waste; the average value of PM2.5 in 2019 will be reduced by about 22% compared with 2018 The results of air pollution prevention and control work are obvious. What impact does change energy use have on the lives of villagers? How to bear the cost?
2. Rural economy and sustainable development
Bohai Town continue to improve the basic conditions for agricultural production, investment and comprehensive management of small watershed ecological agriculture, strengthen technical guidance chestnut planting industry, the introduction of chestnut trees insurance mechanism, but is still facing pressure on how to improve the quality of rural economy and increasing farmers’ income? How to integrate idle resources, vigorously develop rural hotels, and accelerate the pace of industrial transformation and upgrading? How to further extend the rural tourism industry chain, launch “Bohai Gifts” and expand its influence?
3. Protection and development of world cultural heritage
The Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area is a well-known tourist attraction at home and abroad. Bohai Town is expanding the influence of tourism brands by holding the Great Wall Marathon, the Great Wall Cross-country Race, and the Great Wall Plum Blossom Festival. What new ideas can the cultural tourism industry integrate? How to do a good job of protecting and inheriting the world’s cultural heritage and tapping economic value?
4. Homestays and rural tourism promotion
Bohai Town’s homestay has a cluster advantage and has a large number of well-known homestay brands. It is a veritable boutique homestay town. The homestay’s courtyard hardware facilities combine rural rustic style with modern aesthetics and are highly praised. How to extend the homestay industry chain to special cultural experience activities and develop special tourism consumption? How to improve the management and service level of the homestay, attract more young people to visit, and increase the popularity and reputation?
Project Research Topics
The instructors will guide students in academic writing and public welfare practice around the following topic selection. Students can also discuss the topic selection direction with the tutor according to their own situation.
Topic 1
SDGs 6: Provide water and sanitation for all and manage it sustainably
In-depth research on local water source protection and protection measures, site selection, construction of water plants, water purification, sewage treatment, water quality testing, etc.
Suitable for students’ future majors or interests: environmental science, sustainable development, public policy, etc.
Topic 2
SDGs 7: Ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy
Learn about rural coal-to-electricity reforms, focusing on the popularization of energy, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of renewable energy.
Suitable for students’ future majors or interests: climate change, social governance, clean energy, public policy, etc.
Topic 3
SDGs 11: Build inclusive, safe, disaster-resistant, and sustainable cities and human settlements
Focusing on “further efforts to protect and defend the world’s cultural and natural heritage” and “supporting the establishment of positive economic, social, and environmental links between cities, suburbs, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development plans”, examine how local governments and villagers Protect, develop and use the Great Wall, comparatively analyze the differences in the tourism economy and business operation modes between the Mutianyu Great Wall and Xiangshui Lake Great Wall, and combine local cultural characteristics to think about how to enhance the competitiveness of homestay tourismSuitable for students’ future majors or interests: sociology, government management, business, management, marketing, etc.
Topic 4
SDGs 11: Build inclusive, safe, disaster-resistant, and sustainable cities and human settlements
Understand “highly adopt and implement comprehensive policies and plans to build inclusive, efficient use of resources, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and withstand the number of cities and human settlements that are resilient to disasters” and understand infrastructure such as roads, water sources, electricity, and communications The situation, as well as the status of public service facilities such as education, medical care, and markets, explore the natural disaster risks and environmental risks faced by rural areas, and the response mechanisms and measures. Draw a map of the village community and think about how to improve the resilience of the community and achieve sustainable development
Suitable for students’ future majors or interests: sociology, government management, communication, etc.
Project Proven Results
A set of advocacy programs
design a set of advocacy programs for Chinese youth to participate in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, organize advocacy activities in their own schools or communities, and participate in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Global Youth Leadership Initiative.
A research report
Participants will be led by experts and scholars from Peking University, Beijing Normal University, and other universities, international organizations, or social organizations, combine their own interests, write research reports in groups, and make suggestions for local development. Excellent reports will be submitted to the local government and published in journals or self-media.
A map of rural communities
in accordance with the guidelines of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, draw a map of rural communities, display reference points such as houses, schools, health centers, water sources, markets, etc. Thinking and analyzing how to improve the resilience of rural communities to resist natural disasters and epidemics.
A set of promotional videos
Record academic research, interviews, field surveys, etc. through short videos, while leaving valuable records for yourself, while helping to promote world cultural heritage, ecological and environmental protection concepts, and rural tourism resources.
A certificate of participation
an official certificate jointly issued by the local official department and a public welfare foundation, which can be used for further studies, social practice certification
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