Shangri-la Institute for Sustainable Communities

The Shangri-la Institute for Sustainable Communities (SISC) is a registered independent Chinese non-governmental organization which traces its roots to Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where in 1996 key staff members started work on nature conservation and community development projects, as part of a national ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) program. The Shangri-la Institute has accumulated 18 years experience working to promote ESD in China, in both the formal and non-formal education settings by supporting projects that empower schools and local communities to engage in sustainable development. SISC has a multi-lingual and international team in two offices in Beijing and Yunnan Province. Our project partnerships include: the Chinese Ministry of Education, the People’s Education Press, UNESCO (Beijing), Earth Charter, the German Embassy in Beijing, Swarovski, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation, Royal Bank of Canada, EU-China, National Geographic Society, Oxfam Novib, UNDP, IUCN and others. SISC engages communities across China in both the formal and non-formal education settings by supporting projects that empower schools and local communities to engage in sustainable development. Equitable partnerships are built with universities, primary and middle schools and local communities that have recognized the need for more sustainable forms of development; and a broad range of stakeholders are engaged including government departments, businesses, educational professionals, academics, and other NGOs.