Founded in 2006, the Environment & Public Health Network for Chinese Students and Scholars (ENCSS) is active in and dedicated to improving eco-environmental health in China and the United States. ENCSS draws its inspiration from the Wisconsin Idea, the principle that education should influence and improve people’s lives beyond the university classroom. In recognizing ENCSS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated, “Working with ENCSS is part of EPA’s long-standing efforts to assist the agency’s Chinese counterparts in addressing international and domestic environmental issues.”

To implement our goal, based on the Wisconsin Idea, of sustainable exchanges of information and resources between China and the U.S., ENCSS initiated an efficient model that involves five interactive elements: government policy makers, academic researchers, commercial business people, educational staffs, and the public. Our model integrates the interests of these five groups and encourages them to work together to improve eco-environmental health. A good example of the success of this model is the China – U.S. Water Symposium held in Wisconsin in July 2008.

Results/Conclusions

ENCSS, in collaboration with Wisconsin governmental agencies, academic institutions, and businesses, organized the 7-day Water Symposium to address various water-related issues that affect both China and the U.S. The Chinese and American participants established many connections based on their interests in water issues. In addition, government, academia, and business exchanged extensive information. This solution-oriented program succeeded in bringing people together, creating synergies in problem-solving, and building good working relationships for future collaborations.

In planning and carrying out this symposium, we developed and affirmed strategies to efficiently organize this kind of international event. Factors that contributed to our achievements include (1) focusing on a specific targeted group, (2) drawing upon a strong resource base, (3) identifying an urgent topic of mutual interest, (4) inviting experts from diverse professions, (5) arranging a variety of interactive learning experiences, and (6) relying on support from student volunteers.