Foreign directors attend the opening ceremony of the workshop.
2014 In-Service Training Workshop for Confucius Institute Directors was opened at ECNU on Aug.14. 32 foreign directors of Confucius Institutes from 24 countries worldwide came to attend the10-day workshop sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters and organized by ECNU.
The activities of this workshop were tailored to the needs of foreign directors, combining training, communication and experience together through setting a rich content, such as keynote lectures, case studies, visits, cultural experiences, exchanges and dialogues.
Ms. Xu Lin delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.
Ms. Xu Lin, Director-General of Hanban/ Confucius Institute Headquarters, explained the necessity and significance of the workshop and recalled the ten-year rapid development of Confucius Institutes since the founding of the world’s first one in 2004 in her speech. Confucius Institutes, which have become important platforms for spreading Chinese culture and strengthening the educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries, are moving toward a new stage of development. She hoped that the foreign directors present could have more discussions and exchanges, provide more valuable suggestions, jointly create a new situation in the development of Confucius Institutes, and better promote the multicultural development of the world.
Xu Jialu, a prestigious scholar, gives a special lecture during the workshop.
Prof. Tong Shijun, Chairman of ECNU University Council, on behalf of ECNU, expressed welcome to the foreign directors. He introduced briefly the achievements of the University in supporting the establishment of Confucius Institutes, promoting foreign exchanges, and strengthening its own internationalization. Confucius Institutes are bridges for enhancing the friendship between Chinese people and peoples of other countries. ECNU has established 8 Confucius Institutes around the world. He said that the University would continue to value and support the international promotion of Chinese language and make active contributions to the global development of Confucius Institutes.
A group photo taken at the opening ceremony.
During the 10-day workshop, quite a lot first-class scholars home and abroad had in-depth discussions with Confucius Institute foreign directors on the history, culture, economy and foreign affairs of China, as well as the construction of Confucius Institutes. Prestigious scholars including Xu Jialu, Qiao Yide, Jiang Haishan, Yang Jiemian, Yan Shiyun, Qian Wenzhong, Zhou Mingwei, and Cao Jingxing also given special lectures on hot topics such as the economy and culture of Chinese society, the management and operation of Confucius Institutes, and intercultural communications. The directors present claimed that they had enjoyed and benefited a lot from such arrangements.
Written by: Liu Jinyu
