Objectives
The primary objective of the EcoPartnership will be to provide targeted information to governmental, business, and academic leaders in both China and the US for informed policy decisions in the area of environmental sustainability with the primary focus of addressing the technological, scientific, economic, and social dimensions of ecosystem management for sustainable biomass (food, fiber, forage, fuel) production while reducing green house gas emissions and sequestering carbon.
Secondary objectives will include:
- developing a strong academic program capitalizing on the diverse research and teaching capabilities of the six partnering institutions
- promoting mutual trust and understanding between Chinese and US scientists and students through social, cultural, and academic activities
- improving bi-national coordination of research efforts in support of technological challenges key to achieving sustainable development
- engaging representatives from key governmental, non-governmental and corporate organizations for the purpose of providing guidance and adaptation to research efforts and technology transfer
Programs
The EcoPartnership will serve as a conduit between scientists and decision makers at the highest levels in the US and China, and will coordinate scientific activities among the members to address environmental sustainability issues important to both countries. Policy briefs, white papers, and peer-reviewed journal articles will be produced by EcoPartnership scientists based upon work done in activities such as the visiting scientists program, topical workshops and the sessions of the annual symposia. Guidance as to research topics and policy issues to be addressed will come from the advisory committee, the bi-national business council, and the faculty and administrations of the six partnering institutions. Following activities will be conducted to achieve objectives:
- Annual Symposia: An annual meeting will be held to present the results of research projects, prepare policy briefs, share methods and best practices, explore new research and policy directions, network, and provide cultural exchanges. The meetings will be held in alternate years in China and the US and will be hosted by one of the EcoPartnership institutions or by another collaborating institution. The annual symposium will include meetings of the advisory committee and industrial council.
- Task Forces and Topical Workshops: Task forces will be established to address specific information needs for science and policy decisions through topical workshops. Deliverables for each workshop will be a white paper or policy brief summarizing the results of the workshop, and possibly a peer reviewed publication or special issue of a journal to present the results to the broader research community.
- Faculty and Student Exchanges: Agreements will be signed and executed among EcoPartnership institutions to provide vehicles for the exchange of faculty (such as sabbatical leaves) and students (study abroad opportunities or visiting research labs).