Source: News Center Author/Correspondent: Yan Dongmei Photographer: Yao Meixian
(At the Session Site)
Lingnan Normal University News Center: On the evening of December 17 (Beijing time), the 2020 European Confucius Institute Forum was successfully held online with the theme of “Collaboration and Innovation for an Extraordinary Future of Confucius Institute”. This forum was co-hosted by Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) and University of International Business and Economics. It brought together heads and representatives of Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) in Europe and China for an online discussion on how Confucius Institutes in Europe could pursue sustainable and high-quality development in the new era and new pattern. A session was organized by Lingnan Normal University (LNU) in the No. 1 Conference Room, presided over by Mr. Dai Shu, LNU’s Vice President.
Mr. Feng Yunsheng, Vice Chairman of CIEF, started the forum with a keynote speech, focusing on the “ Six New” of Confucius Institutes which is the new situation, new features, new mechanism, new pattern, new coordinates and new development . He shared the experience with the Chinese and foreign partners in how to promote the sustainable and high-quality development of Confucius Institutes in the new era. He pointed out that CIEF, Chinese and foreign cooperative institutions and external partners are all indispensable forces in the Confucius Institute ecosystem. As he explained, CIEF provides supports and services for the development of Confucius Institutes worldwide by raising funds, and implements brand, standard and quality management for Confucius Institutes at the macro level; Chinese and foreign institutions play main roles in the construction of Confucius Institutes, and they are responsible for the operation and management of the institutes; and external partners provide important support to the institutes. He wished that more Chinese and foreign enterprises and social organizations could play active roles in the construction of Confucius Institutes and be the closer ties between China and its overseas friends. Confucius Institutes, in return, should also serve the development of external partners as much as they can. Only by joint efforts and mutual assistance in the building of Confucius Institutes could all parties involved achieve peace, development and win-win results.
At the forum, heads of eight Chinese and foreign partner institutions, including Sir Jim McDonald, President of Strathclyde University in the United Kingdom, together with deans of relevant Confucius Institutes, exchanged their experience in the construction of Confucius Institutes. The discussion centered on five topics, namely, “Further reassuring partner institution’s due and more contribution to boost the sustainable and high-quality development of Confucius Institutes”, “ Enhancing the regional synergy among Confucius Institutes”, “Enhancing the regional synergy among Confucius Institutes”, “Setting up an Alliance for featured Confucius Institutes, and “Carrying out quality-based assesement of Confucius Institutes”. Many constructive suggestions and advice were also collected for the future development of Confucius Institutes.
After the forum, Mr. Dai Shu summarized the results achieved after the Confucius Classroom co-organized by LNU and Belarusian State University of Physical Education was upgraded to Confucius Institute. He also appreciated the efforts made by relevant departments and schools in the upgrade work and the construction of the Confucius Institute. Later in his speech, Mr. Dai noted that the video conference, overcoming various difficulties in time and space, was of great significance amidst the COVID-19 epidemic. He expressed that the speeches made by Mr. Feng Yunsheng and other guests have made us truly feel the changes brought by the transfer of Confucius Institutes, adding that we should prioritize quality, efficiency and innovation in the operation of Confucius Institute from the perspectives of policy, action and philosophy. He hoped that all relevant departments and schools would strengthen communication and cooperation in the future, and work together to promote and improve the construction of LNU’s Confucius Institute with team spirit and ambition despite any difficulties.
Some related staff also attended the forum, including Zheng Zhijun, Director of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation, Yan Kaizhen, Dean of the School of Literature and Media, Feng Lingling, Deputy Director of the President’s Office, Li Zishen, Deputy Director of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation, and Sun Weihong, Deputy Dean of the School of Sport Science.
(Vice President Dai Shu presides over the session)
Note: Confucius Institutes are non-profit education institutions jointly hosted by Chinese and foreign partners, with the aim of satisfying the need for Chinese learning worldwide, deepening international understanding of Chinese language and culture, and promoting educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. It also helps develop friendly relations between China and other countries, boost multicultural development globally, and facilitate the building of a harmonious world. Up to now, 541 Confucius Institutes and 1170 Confucius Classrooms have been established in 162 countries and regions. Among them, there are 135 Confucius Institutes and 115 Confucius Classrooms in 39 Asian countries (regions), 61 Confucius Institutes and 48 Confucius Classrooms in 46 African countries, 187 Confucius Institutes and 346 Confucius Classrooms in 43 European countries (regions), 138 Confucius Institutes and 560 Confucius Classrooms in 27 American countries, and 20 Confucius Institutes and 101 Confucius Classrooms in 7 Oceanian countries.
