First Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Poland, Czech and Slovakia Held in Opole, Poland

At the scene of the conference

The first joint conference of Confucius Institutes in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia took place from June 26th and 27th in Rogow, Opole. The two-day conference was attended by both Chinese and international Directors from the Confucius Institute in Krakow, the Confucius Institute at Adam Mickiewicz University, the Confucius Institute at Opole University of Technology and the Confucius Institute at the University of Wroclaw, as well as Chinese Directors from the Confucius Institute at Palacký University and the Confucius Institute in Bratislava, along with Liu Wansheng, who is in charge of the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in Poland. Representatives from the Technical University of Ostrava also participated in the conference.

During the morning of June 26th, Directors of each Confucius Institute started by way of an introduction to the state of affairs at their own institutes. They shared their perspectives of various experiences, such as the establishing of their Confucius Institute, operation and management, Chinese teaching and promotion of cultural activities. In the afternoon the representatives conducted animated discussions regarding the strengthening of cooperation in their regions and enhancement of understanding of one another. These Confucius Institutes have kindred regional cultural characteristics. Their topics focused on several areas, including characteristics of regional Chinese teaching and cultural activities, daily administration and sustainable development, as well as establishment of resource sharing and coordination mechanisms. In the evening the host arranged a dinner party for representatives of Opole University of Technology and Opole University. On the morning of June 27th, the directors visited the Confucius Institute at Opole University of Technology and some historic sites in Opole.

During the one day discussion the representatives shared their sound management and rich experiences in Chinese teaching, activity organization and management of resources. They expressed their intentions for cooperation in cultural activities and construction of the Confucius Institutes. The representatives agreed to establish a forum via the internet and to hold regular conferences before applying for a project. At the appropriate time they will expand the conference and include other Confucius Institutes in the surrounding areas.

Representatives posing for pictures after the conference