INTRODUCTION
The Lancang-Mekong River Basin stands as a global biodiversity hotspot and one of the most ecologically dynamic yet climate-vulnerable regions in the Asia-Pacific. Since the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism in 2016, forestry cooperation has become integral part of the regional sustainable development agenda. The LMC Five-Year Action Plan (2023-2027) explicitly prioritizes forest ecosystem restoration and sustainable management under the "Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative." In this context, fostering regional forestry talent and youth exchange has emerged as a critical pathway for deepening green partnerships.
Building on the success of the first two editions in 2024 and 2025, the Undergraduates Summer Camp Program has been institutionalized as a key pillar under the Presidents’ Forum for Forestry University/Institute in Greater Mekong Sub-region. The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the LMC mechanism, with member states advancing the "Golden Decade" vision that places green low-carbon transition and youth capacity building at its core. This third edition responds directly to these strategic priorities by translating high-level consensus into actionable educational practice.
Under the theme "Building Green Value Chains Together: Youth Forestry Practice in the Lancang-Mekong Region," the third Undergraduates Summer Camp Program of Forestry Universities in Greater Mekong Sub-region will be held in Kunming and Pu’er, Yunnan Province, China. Leveraging Yunnan’s replicable forestry models, which align closely with the resource endowments and development stages of neighboring economies, the program aims to help participants understand how sustainable forest management bridges ecological conservation with green industrial development, enhance their localized application capabilities, and contribute to the construction of a Lancang-Mekong Green Community.
DATE AND VENUE OF SUMER CAMP
Date: 10-16 November 2026 (7 days)
Venue: Kunming City and APFNet Field Base in Pu’er City, P.R. China.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The structure of the Summer Camp is designed to maximize learning opportunities for trainees through a combination of field study, gap lectures and group work:
As the core component of the Summer Camp, field study provides immersive showcases of how forest resources are sustainably managed and transformed into value-added products on the ground. Trainees will engage in on-site observation and hands-on practice at forestry demonstration sites, covering ecological planting, non-timber forest product development and the utilization of diversified forest resources. This experiential approach enables participants to gain a holistic understanding of the complete value transforming process from raw resources to end-use products.
Local experts will provide background information related to China’s green transition in forestry. Focusing on key topics such as eco-friendly tea garden management, agroforestry systems and forest product processing, these lectures will facilitate regional experience exchange and deepen trainees’ understanding of transferable pathways for sustainable forest management.
Collaborative group work is structured to enable trainees to integrate field-based learning with cross-cultural innovation. Through guided activities, participants will actively share knowledge, apply learned concepts to their home economy contexts, and co-create actionable outputs that bridge ecological conservation with livelihood development.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITMENT
The Summer Camp is currently open to undergraduate students who are studying in the forestry universities of the GMS economies. Depending on the availability of funds, a limited number of trainees involving in the Summer Camp will be sponsored. Basically, each university is required to nominate one leading teacher and three undergraduate students to join in the event. In addition to this, the leading teacher will be responsible for guiding, facilitating communication and securing his/her economy students’ safety during a period of the Summer Camp.
The nominee(s) should meet the following eligible requirements:
Desirable qualification for student application
-Undergraduate students with a citizenship of the GMS economies;
-Study majors in forestry and forestry-related currently with outstanding performance;
-Adequate command of speaking and listening English;
-Competence in teamwork and innovation;
-Good status in health and suitable for traveling.
Desirable qualification for leading teacher application
-A citizenship of the GMS economies;
-Be a teaching faculty of forestry university;
-Fluent in English communication
-Obtain good leadership, organization and communication skills, especially good at student management;
-Rich teaching experience in forest resource management;
-Good status in health and suitable for traveling.
Documents required for program application
-A nomination letter with completed application form with an official stamp for both leading teacher and students;
-A bio-data page of passport and national ID;
-Personal profile with a length of 1-2 pages (Leading teacher only);
-Other relevant materials deemed necessary to prove the nominee ability, such as language certificate, academic transcripts and publications etc..
APPLICATION PROCESS
The nominee(s) of the Summer Camp should be nominated by the persons assigned as the focal point(s) of each university by the President’s Forum for Forestry University/Institute in Greater Mekong Sub-region”. Moreover, a nomination letter and application forms with official stamps should be submitted to APFNet-KTC at apfnetktc@apfnet.cn in copy before 18th September 2026.
COSTS OF INVITED PARTICIPANTS
For selected students and leading teachers, APFNet-KTC will cover the expenses such as the round-trip airfare for international travel (economy-class only), full-board accommodation and travel insurance in China. All other expenses not specified above including domestic travel, visa fees and personal expenditures shall be borne by the participants themselves.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further details about the course and the various arrangements please contact:
Ms. PAN Yao
Programme Officer, APFNet Kunming Training Center
Southwest Forestry University (SWFU)
Add: No. 300 Bailongsi, Kunming City 650224, Yunnan Province, China
Email: apfnetktc@apfnet.cn
Tel: (+86) 871 63862860; (+86) 871 63863211
(文：潘瑶 初审：潘瑶 复审：张婉洁 终审：王海涛)
