University of Helsinki
The Center’s Coordinator, Ms. Alice Neffe, attended the Europaeum Summer School “China and Europe: Challenges for the Future?” hosted at the China Centre, University of Oxford.
The six day program has been filled with panel discussions by distinguished scholars and graduate presentations, all of which brought Chinese and European insights on the topical challenges faced by our contemporary societies. At heart of the discussions were crises of legitimacy, corruption, aging population, urbanization and the relation in a multi-polar world. In addition, the participants staged a simulation of a diplomatic negotiation regarding a hypothetical Chinese infrastructural investment in Europe. Beyond the academic discussions, the participants enjoyed Chinese culture while watching the well-known Cao Fei’s Haze and Fog, listening to readings of her novels by Ms Xiaolu Guo and of course eating some excellent Chinese food.
Both China and Europe are already today concerned with the future challenges. Yet, event if many scholars and politicians work effortlessly to find solutions, the future will be build by today’s young scholars. Therefore, through this event, Europaeum, once again, fulfilled its purpose to “serve as an ‘international university without walls’, in which future scholars and leaders of our new Europe will have an opportunity to share common learning and confront common concerns together“. This year, however, because many of the challenges have not only a European but a global dimension, Europaeum invited to its Summer School young scholars from mainland China (Renmin University, Fudan University) and Hong Kong.
Moreover, this event has been an opportunity for Ms. Neffe, our Center’s Coordinator, to have a first visit at the New Oxford China Center and take contact with the British scholars.