GLOBAL
In an age defined by the existential challenges of climate change and the dynamic landscape of global trade, New Zealand’s Winds of Change programme stands as a shining example of international collaboration between four New Zealand universities and three Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPEs).
The programme is led by the University of Otago in collaboration with the Latin America and North Asia CAPEs, with the two centres providing a focus that is specific to both regions and across the Asia-Pacific.
The CAPEs’ mission aligns with the New Zealand government’s strategy for trade diversification, and is designed to empower New Zealanders with knowledge, awareness and the capability to engage with the Asia-Pacific region and do business.
The programmes are aligned around four key themes – business, education, connectivity and thought leadership. Winds of Change is part of the connectivity focus and is helping New Zealand to chart a path to a more sustainable future.
Collaboration between Chile and New Zealand
The Winds of Change Chile programme is supported by the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence. This innovative initiative addresses climate change impacts and solutions, but also strengthens inter-university alliances, paving the way for an interconnected world with purpose and increased research collaboration.
The initiative is multidisciplinary in its membership and focus. The pillars of the programme are climate science, public policy, indigenous perspectives on climate change, sustainable business (and finance) and science communication. The specific focus is a bilateral one between New Zealand and Chile and strengthens university and researcher alliances and those between early career and postgraduate specialists in both nations.
In 2023 the programme was shortlisted for an international Sustainability Education Award at the QS Reimagine Education Awards. This was great recognition of the efforts to make the programme a valuable study and career enrichment experience, through online learning, mentored project work and immersive field trips.
International collaboration on climate change matters
Climate change poses an existential threat to our planet, impacting on New Zealand and Chile with rising sea levels, erratic weather patterns, water scarcity and drought and disruptions to ecosystems via natural disasters.
To tackle these common challenges, at the core of the Winds of Change programme is the idea of unity, collaboration and mutual learning. It serves as a bridge connecting New Zealand and Chilean partners, encompassing postgraduate students, early career professionals and their academic mentors.
Together, they are directing their efforts towards looking for research-based and industry-led solutions to climate change challenges, including indigenous perspectives, ancestral knowledge and reactions to climate change.
Links with the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities
The success of the initiative since 2020 is due to the leadership of the University of Otago and the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence. As a specialised centre, the Latin America CAPE is instrumental in advancing New Zealand’s connections and expertise within the Asia-Pacific region, providing a solid foundation for the Winds of Change initiative.
The collaboration between Chilean academics, postgraduate students and early career professionals located in both Chile and New Zealand, and their New Zealand counterparts, is a significant and mutually beneficial partnership.
The participation to date of academics and postgraduate students from various universities and centres linked to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (Consejo de Rectoras y Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas or CRUCH) over the years is testament to the importance of this initiative.
CRUCH is a collegiate, autonomous body whose primary role is to promote the efforts of universities that comprise it to contribute articulately and collaboratively to the development of society through the training of democratic, responsible and upright citizens; generate new knowledge; promote culture; and actively participate in the development of public policies.
With 30 Chilean universities under its umbrella, stretching from the far north to the extreme south of Chile, CRUCH has a unique opportunity to leverage the nation’s diverse geographical and ecological landscapes to contribute to the Winds of Change programme.
Chile, often referred to as a natural laboratory, offers the perfect setting for researchers and students to collaborate on pressing issues like climate change.
The current collaboration between CRUCH and the Winds of Change consortium of academics and universities is particularly noteworthy, given last year’s signing of an Education Cooperation Arrangement between Education New Zealand and CRUCH.
These outcomes underscore the commitment of both entities to promoting educational cooperation, strengthening human connection and enhancing mutual understanding, working with the CAPE. This collaboration is pivotal in nurturing the potential of students and early career professionals in New Zealand and Chile and facilitating cross-cultural exchanges.
Chilean academics and students participating in the Winds of Change programme recognise the rich cultural and educational benefits that arise from forming relationships with educational institutions in New Zealand.
These relationships pave the way for a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and educational systems. Moreover, they contribute to building a global perspective and fostering better educational experiences for students from both countries.
Such programmes are vital for Chilean universities as they actively promote and encourage international education and exchanges, which are critical for preparing students to face the challenges of the near future.
Long-term relationships
This collaboration between CRUCH and the Winds of Change programme stands as a model of how educational cooperation can enhance not only the academic experience but also foster stronger ties between nations.
The participants in Winds of Change from Chile and New Zealand have formed trusted, long-term relationships through their involvement in the programme. These relationships may result in future research and bilateral collaborations which we have not even dreamed of yet.
The Latin America CAPE is planning a delegation comprising Winds of Change alumni to Chile in May 2024 in collaboration with CRUCH, the New Zealand embassy in Santiago de Chile, Education NZ, Universidad de Chile and Universidad de La Frontera.
The trip will focus on the key Winds of Change themes, activating the Chile-based network of alumni and former presenters and academic mentors, and focusing on key climate change challenges and innovative solutions, including renewable energy, and on future research collaborations.
This initiative also holds significant importance for CRUCH universities, particularly when it comes to sustaining the impact of this bi-national programme.
The forthcoming discussions will usher in a new phase, aiming to promote efforts from an applied standpoint. The objective is to explore advances and solutions within Chile’s public and productive sectors, with the overarching goal of creating meaningful impact on local communities.
Craig Nicholson is deputy director of the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence. David Turner is manager at the University of Otago’s Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence. Steve Baeza Abadie is an academic at FACEA, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Chile, and ex-president of the internationalisation commission of CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities). Marcos Aviléz is director of international affairs at the Universidad de Talca in Chile and president of the internationalisation commission of CRUCH. More information about the Winds of Change programme, including the projects developed by participants and presentations delivered at the annual symposium since 2020, can be found here.
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Publish date : 2024-02-10 03:00:00
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