C.J. Carnacchio raised a number of issues in his April 14 column about Confucius Institutes that need clarification, correction and/or perspective.
Let’s start with the goals of the Confucius Institutes worldwide ? to facilitate the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture in foreign nations. That’s accurate. There is no hidden agenda, rather an open objective that can and should benefit both China and the US. China is, whether we like it or not, an up-and-coming economic and political power. Learning more about China and the Chinese will benefit our students as they compete on a world stage. It also will help build understanding and relationships for the good of all.
There are certainly many ways in which U.S. language and culture are taught explicitly and implicitly around the world. The U.S. has traditionally supported cultural exchange programs, and has operated the Voice of America (VOA) for many years to broadcast a US perspective on news and world events to many nations (including China) around the globe. American art and culture are pervasive throughout the world. The Chinese understand the US, our language and culture; we need to understand China as well.
The Confucius Institutes across the US are mostly associated with universities. In Michigan, there are Confucius institutes at Western Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State and the University of Michigan. They are all very different, there is no uniform approach, no specific directives or directions from China. There is no conspiracy. Everything we do is transparent and public. To suggest all of these universities along with the 100 or so others in the US, have somehow sold-out to a foreign nation is absurd. The finances of a Confucius Institute are miniscule in the big scheme of a university’s budget. Do people really think that all these universities will promote another nation’s interests over our own in return for a few dollars? I can assure you the answer to that question is, ‘no.?
What is taught about Chinese language and culture in Michigan classrooms is controlled by Michigan educators. There is no political doctrine, no ‘spin? on the facts, no curriculum directed or required by a foreign government. Students learn Chinese language and traditional Chinese culture. Educators in each classroom and community decide what is taught, and how it is taught ? it is education, not propaganda.
I’ve been to China three times. The first time I went in my capacity as the Executive Director of the Michigan School Business Officials. I was amazed at what I found. There are dramatic changes occurring: the Chinese have embraced capitalism, they are trying to develop a middle class, there is an openness to other cultures and new ideas, the Chinese people are experiencing freedom in a way they never have before. In all my travels around the world, I have never found any other country in which there were more positive feelings about America and Americans. It is easy to disagree with some of the policies of the central government, just as many people around the world disagree with policies of our government? but we still have economic, political and cultural ties and much to gain by working together.
I went back to China the second and third time because of what I found the first time, and because I came to understand the importance of developing a constructive relationship between the two nations. China is entering a new era. The U.S. can become a partner, a competitor or even an enemy. From the time I spent in China, and the time I’ve spent with Chinese people through my work at the Confucius Institute at Michigan State, I realized that at the very least we must understand China. At best, China represents a tremendous opportunity for economic development for American businesses, and a potential ally. There are many American businesses in China now, and we are competing for business with many other countries. Doesn’t it make sense to prepare our students to win that competition?
Ask yourself this question, ‘If we wish to influence the future direction of China, what is the best way to do so?? Is it by shutting them out and making harsh accusations? I believe it is by learning about them, and engaging them in constructive ways. We’ve tried isolationism several times in American history and it always failed. The world is flat, we need to prepare our children to compete with students from other nations and part of that preparation is learning about those nations.
U.S. students will benefit from learning about language and cultures from around the world, including China. Doing so will make us better competitors, and help us work with others. Oxford schools are doing the right thing; they are opening the world to their students and preparing them for success.
If you want to see what we are doing for yourself, check out our website at experiencechinese.com.
Thomas White, Business & Marketing
Confucius Institute,
Michigan State University