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The Program for Leadership & Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China A Canadian Success Story (2006-2011 and beyond). Harmony Foundation of Canada. Founded in 1985 by ecologist and educator Michael Bloomfield
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The Program for Leadership & Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China A Canadian Success Story (2006-2011 and beyond)
Harmony Foundation of Canada • Founded in 1985 by ecologist and educator Michael Bloomfield • a more positive approach to environment and development • - bridges between business, government and civil society • - education and training programs producing practical results Education programs and materials being used in 36 countries.
Harmony Foundation of Canada • Recognition for innovation and • leadership includes: • United Nations Environment Programme • Global 500 Award • Ethics in Action Award • Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship
The Program for Leadership and Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China Now China • Collaboration Launched in 2006 • Harmony Foundation, Shining Stone Community Action, National Academy for Mayors of Chinaand Environmental Management College of China
The Program for Leadership and Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China Why China? China’s challenges are the world’s challenges too! • 20% of the world’s population and fastest growing economy • China’s future will greatly influence economic stability, human and environmental health and global security around the world. China is seeking partners who share their commitment to economic development compatible with healthy environments and social development and are willing to share expertise, technologies and products for sustainable future.
The Program for Leadership and Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China • Why local leaders? • Mayors & Vice Mayors: • Decision makers • Administer and spend large budgets • Over 650 cities in China • EPB Manager-Environmental Gate Keepers: • 900 Environmental Protection Bureaus • Advise decision makers on environmental compliance and best practices, • Authority to approve and veto projects • District and Sub-District Managers • Responsible for implementation and Resident Participation
Why local residents? • •Essential to the success of participatory governance and sustainability at the local level. • •Contribute talent, local knowledge and labour. • Assisted Through: • Workshops and practical projects • Public education and training • Eco-friendly products • Cooperation – culture, education, tourism... The Program for Leadership and Cooperation for Sustainable Community Development in China
Key Achievements to Date • Training and Capacity Building: • 150 mayors & vice mayors trained • 40 Environmental Protection Bureau managers trained • 900+ community residents trained • 70+ new program trainers trained
Community ProjectsIncluded: • Waste Management • Water and Energy Conservation • Organic Garden and Green Space Development • Community Environment Improvement • Green Community Service Team • Making soap with used cooking oil • … … Key Achievements To Date
Train the Trainers: • Introduce a dependable and positive • process for local communities to work • together for positive changes • Enable more people in China to facilitate Community Action Workshop on their own • Strengthen local capacity of public engagement and effective cooperation • Contribute to participatory governance • and leader –resident cooperation Key Achievements To Date
Publications: • Community Action Workshop Manual with • Trainer’s Handbook and Participant’s Handbook • Green Cities: Guide to Sustainable Community Development • Eco-Tips (Dashan joined cooperation) • Harmony Foundation Tips for Healthy Living • Success Stories of Sustainable Community Development in China • Multi-media Public Education Presentations: Power and Hope, Troubled Water, Cultivating Healthy Food, etc. • Six Methods for Public Participation in China • Blogs Key Achievements to Date
Key Achievements To Date • Public Engagement Includes: • Canada-China Environment Forum (2008 and 2009) • Union of BC Municipalities (2008) • Wal-Mart Sustainability Summit (2008) • Global Chinese Financial Forum (2009) • Sponsored International Youth Summit on energy and climate change (2009 and 2010) • Research on CSR/CESR in China (2011) • CSR workshop with Friends of Nature • Corporate Citizenship in Action Salon – Corporate-NGO Partnerships • Shining Stone Publication Workshop – Communication, Negotiation and Public Participation
Networking Includes: • Link Comox Valley, BC and Changli, Hebei • Collaboration with DonghuamenSub-District on “Low Carbon Community Pilot” • Link BCIT and EMCC • Link Canadian community foundations and Chinese counterparts • World Urban Forum- Vancouver 2006 and Nanjing, 2008 • GE Supplier Responsibility Program Shanghai Summit, Nov. 2010 • APFED Showcase Workshop on Stakeholder Empowerment and Participation(2011) Key Achievements To Date
Lessons Learned Lessons for Cross Cultural Cooperation • Understand and respect cultural differences • Relationships based on honesty and trust • Build a sense of team and all party benefits • Manage conflict with care & attention • Strong commitments • Clear, honest and ongoing communication • Network, network, network
Insights for More Effective Canada-China Partnerships Help China meet its strategic sustainable development goals: position Canada well on the economy of the future, earn valuable and enduring relationships, earn public support for a principled relationship Ignore China’s commitment to sustainable development will prove costly : Canada and its lead companies in China are largely invisible The future lies with a more innovative strategy than selling logs, oil and gas and recruiting a few well- paying Chinese students and tourists CSR is more than marketing and public relations Development aid is essential to building a healthy, inclusive society Canada must develop an innovative China policy: comprehensive, integrated and forward looking coordinated and multi-sector principled
Harmony in China – What’s Next? “ the failure of Canadian companies in China to follow meaningful CSR practices is risky in light of growing expectations internationally and in China for improvement in environment, health and safety and community relations. “ Promote Transformational CSR in China Increase the understanding of CSR development and trends in China Help Canadian companies develop CSR adapted to China Share successful stories
Harmony in China – What’s Next? Working with China to achieve development which is healthy and sustainable will better position Canada to achieve our goals through enduring partnerships based on mutual respect and shared benefits. Help China NGOs’ Capacity Building and Project Management Develop Business-NGO Partnership Fundraising Presentation & Workshop Facilitate/Improve Innovative Cooperation between China and Canada Build bridge for innovative cooperation Help cross-cultural communication Blogs and Insights sharing
WithGreatAppreciationfor Their Commitment to Sustainable Community Development and Canada- China Cooperation Harmony Foundation of CanadaPO Box 50022Victoria, BC, Canada V8S 1G1Phone: (250) 380-3001Fax: (250) 380-0887 Web: www.harmonyfdn.ca E-mail: harmony@islandnet.com