Key topics to be addressed
The final conference panels will be organized according to the specific topics of accepted paper proposals. However, we expect the following subject tracks:
1. LANGUAGE IN TRANSITION:
What influence have the recent socio-economic transformations had on language? What is the influence of foreign languages on local ones? What shapes national language policies? What are the approaches used and the challenges met when introducing Chinese in CEE countries? What interest have Chinese people taken in CEE languages?
2. EDUCATION IN TRANSITION:
What role do education institutions (higher education institutions in particular) play in promoting closer relations between China and CEE? What kind of courses on doing business with/in CEE or China should business schools in these two regions offer? What kind of curricula and courses are needed in order to develop appropriate skills and to encourage closer collaboration between China and CEE? What is the role of Confucius Institutes in promoting Chinese language, culture and business? Examples of best practices in successful China-CEE education projects at all levels of education.
Special pannel moderated by prof. Huang Xiaoming:
Both in language transition and education transition, there is something in which the fuctions of Confucius Institutes have been, or will be involved. For the Chinese language teaching and management in Confucius Institutes in Europe, a special pannel opens for Confucius Institute directors to talk about topics concerning Chinese teaching, such as the design of the Chinese language and Chinese culture courses for Confucius Insitutes, the design of the curriculum for Confucius Institutes as well as for the schools in the country, the managment of the Chinese language teaching in Confucius Institutes and the possibilties of same curriculum for all Confucius Institutes in Europe and so on.
3. CULTURES IN TRANSITION:
How have economic transformations in China and CEE affected culture? How could one define modern national culture? To what degree does culture follow/continue tradition (and what kind of tradition)? Have globalization and economic integration brought about cultural convergence, or are we seeing glocalization instead? Can we even talk about cultural divergence or convergence? How does culture "function" within the market economy and economic transition? How and which kinds of cultures impact cooperation between China and CEE? What is the role of the state or private sponsorship in the area of culture? How important are "raditionalist" and "revivalist" groups? What values do they want to uphold or revive?
4. SOCIETIES IN TRANSITION:
What are the biggest challenges that societies in China and CEE currently face? What are the sources and consequences of such social changes? How has socio-economic transformation affected existing social structures and mechanisms? What influences have economic transformation and transition had upon various generations (i.e. the so-called "Generation Y")? Do people born under the "new economic order" cope better than their parents? How do societies address growing social and economic inequality?
5. MARKETS AND ECONOMIES IN TRANSITION:
What are the characteristics of markets and market reforms in China and CEE? Can the two regions learn from each other's transformations? What market reforms are still necessary, and what kind of institutions should still be developed? What institutional voids prevent further market development? Is the present economic situation in China and CEE similar due to their past experience of fully planned economy? Are these similarities due to adaptation to the world economy and the challenges of globalization? What are the prospects of foreign direct investment and/or trade patterns between China-CEE? What role does the 16+1 pragmatic platform play in China-CEE economic integration? What are the implications from the so called New Silk Route for CEE?
6. BUSINESS IN TRANSITION:
What business opportunities remain unexplored between Chinese and CEE firms? How much do companies in China and CEE know about each other, their customers, suppliers, competitors? Which resources and capabilities are needed in order to strengthen business collaboration between China and CEE? What are the key similarities/main differences between Chine and CEE managers, consumers, tourists, employees etc.? What are successful and unsuccessful business strategies in China-CEE business ventures?
7. SPECIAL ACE TRACK:
This is a special and primarily business-oriented subject track for members of the ACE network (Alliance of Chinese and European business schools). The structure and content of the track will be organized based on received submissions. Please contact Wei Shen (wei.shen@lancaster.ac.uk) and Matevz Raskovic (matevz.raskovic@ef.uni-lj.si) for more details, and e-mail your submission directly to them.