Brief description of the organizing entities
Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences
The Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences (CSES) is a non-profit scientific organization which was founded in 1978. CSES is China’s earliest and largest scientific association with the highest academic level in the ecological environment space, with over 120,000 individual members and around 2,100 organizational members, 8 working committees, 72 branches and special committees, covering all the fields of environmental science technology and management.
In recent years, the CSES has been staying committed to serving scientific workers, innovation-driven development, the improvement of the scientific quality of the people, and scientific decision-making of the Party and government. It has made fruitful efforts in academic exchanges, evaluation of science and technology, achievement promotion, scientific communication, talent promotion, education and training, decision-making consultation, membership service, among others. In addition, it has also cultivated and created a range of well-known brands in the fields of academic exchanges, popular science communication and membership services, including the Annual Conference on Science and Technology, Beautiful China Forum, the Environmental Protection Science and Technology Award, the Young Scientist Award, the Cross-Strait High Level Expert Forum on Environmental Protection, the Environmental Institute Presidents Forum, the IE expo China, the Action of Environmental Science Popularization in Thousands of Townships and Villages, the China Environmental Science magazine and others. Meanwhile, the CESE has been providing technical support and professional services for the National Environmental Protection Engineering Technology Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Ecological Environment Science Popularization Bases of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Environmental and Health Literacy Monitoring of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Environmental Engineering Education Accreditation of the Ministry of Education, the Industry-University Consortium for Ecological Environment of the CAST, chief science communication experts and teams of the CAST and other national-level platforms, thus making significant contributions to China's ecological civilization construction and environmental protection and winning a good social reputation.
Aurora Borealis Foundation
The Aurora Borealis Foundation was founded in September 2015. with the purpose to explore practical ways that will enable human civilization to adapt to the changing dynamics of our environmental, ecological, political, technological and social systems. The purpose may be promoted by arranging seminars, debates and lectures, by submitting proposals and ideas to decision-makers and the public, and in other appropriate ways. The work of the foundation shall be totally transparent and open to all.
a world in flux
The world is beset by crises. Global relations are in deep flux and there is a great need for new approaches that address the difficult issues confronting the world. We look with scepticism at the ability and courage of existing institutions to mobilize in addressing all the systems problems. Geopolitical conflicts are causing the displacement of millions. Political uncertainty is causing instability in financial markets. Acute environmental degradation and accelerating climate change are straining economies and societies
building new orders
The interconnectedness of global systems is on the increase. But the world is still, by and large, operating within the geopolitical, economic and financial framework that was established in the aftermath of WWII. Major shifts are needed in the international political and geopolitical orders. But which these will be, we do not know. Technological evolution and changes in lifestyles and behaviours will continue, probably at even greater speed, and this will put pressure on existing structures and institutions. Today’s growing reactionary nationalistic patterns will only lead to increased conflicts in the future. There is no chance to resolve environmental problems and guarantee human rights, equity and justice in the world without beginning to build new orders to govern the complex, interdependent and fragile systems upon which our existence depend.
new approaches needed
We believe that this vision and ambition will require new approach-es in the relationships between nations and cultures. We have to draw up the paths towards mutual coexistence, and find ways of living together - and apart. Our challenge is to understand the importance of interdependence without destroying humankind and its environment.
Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee
Beijing International Exchange Association is an independent legal entity committed to international exchange. It was founded in 1989 as the Beijing Overseas Talents Research Association, and was officially renamed as Beijing International Exchange Association in 1992.
Since the year 2000, Christopher Chuang, the Committee's Founder and Honorary Chairman had been focusing on all aspects of global sustainable development. In April 2005, the founding team of the Committee organized the 1st International Forum on Sustainable Development at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest-house.
In order to ensure the implementation of initiatives proposed at the Forum, the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) was registered in October 2005 under the Beijing International Exchange Association as a subsidiary organization with the approval from Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau.
Through forums, seminars, concerts, SDC convenes people with diverse and different minds, ideas, cultures, and perspectives in a search for new, action-able solutions. In that sense, the Foundation is more a platform than an organization, with a constantly evolving network.
The Committee positioned itself as a platform for Chinese and international think tanks to build connections with one another, and it is also a cultivation centre for identified talented doers.