Gansu Fellowship 2026 - Elizabeth Lovell
Recently Waste and Sustainability Educator Elizabeth Lovell joined 18 delegates in China for the Gansu Fellowship.
Offered by The Gansu Provincial Foreign Affairs Department of China, the Fellowship offers Selwyn employees and residents a 20-day Fellowship to study and experience Chinese culture and business in Lanzhou, the provincial capital.
You can read more about her experience below.
I recently had the privilege of joining 18 delegates from 14 different countries on a 16-day fellowship in China. The programme provided a comprehensive introduction to contemporary China, its history, culture, and development. Based in Lanzhou (in the Gansu Province), the programme combined academic lectures from experienced professionals with visits to a wide range of institutions, including hospitals, universities, vocational education centres, businesses, and community organisations. These visits offered valuable insights into China’s approach to education, healthcare, economic development, and workforce training. A particularly significant aspect of the programme was learning about poverty reduction initiatives and witnessing the long-term planning and investment that have helped communities to improve their living standards. Throughout the fellowship, we explored Chinese art, culture, language, and history, gaining a deeper appreciation of the traditions that continue to shape modern Chinese society.
One of the most striking observations was the way modern innovation exists alongside traditional practices. This was particularly evident in our exposure to Traditional Chinese Medicine, which continues to play an important role within modern medicine. The same philosophy was reflected more widely in the value placed on beauty, art, culture, movement and tradition as contributors to health and wellbeing. Whether through public spaces, healthcare facilities, traditional architecture, or community activities, there was a clear understanding that health and wellbeing extend beyond modern medical treatment alone. The preservation of cultural identity, alongside modern development contributes to stronger, healthier, and more connected people and communities.
The fellowship also highlighted the importance of working together towards common goals. This was evident in the incredible multigenerational Six Old Men desertification project in Gulang County in Wuwei. The Six Old Men project is a long-term environmental restoration initiative that began in 1981, where six local villagers led efforts to combat desertification through large-scale planting. Their work has since been carried forward by the next generations, transforming the desert landscape and demonstrating the power of collective action and perseverance of hundreds of volunteers and workers. The programme demonstrated that community collaboration is essential to addressing the opportunities and challenges faced by communities around the world.
The greatest lesson I took from the fellowship is that kindness and generosity are universal languages. Despite differences in nationality, language, culture, and background, we were welcomed with warmth, openness, and genuine friendship. These interactions reinforced to me that meaningful relationships are built through respect, curiosity, and shared experiences. The generosity of our hosts, the opportunity to experience incredible regional cuisine, and the exposure to the cultural and religious diversity that exists within Gansu all contributed to a rich and meaningful experience.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Selwyn District Council Sister City Committee as the local organisation who made this possible. The programme has deepened my understanding of China, its people, and culture. I have learnt an incredible amount, not only through the formal programme but through the conversations, friendships, and experiences shared along the way. The kindness, professionalism, and generosity shown by the Gansu Foreign Affairs Office and all those involved in hosting the fellowship were exceptional. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity, the knowledge gained, and the friendships formed, and will carry these experiences with me for many years to come.
