The National Capital Confucius Institute-Bridging the gap between China and Canada

By Nick Ward

It is no secret that China has become one of the world’s great superpowers.  As the world’s most populated country becomes more globally accessible, developing a true understanding of China from both a business and cultural point of view is becoming an absolute necessity for anyone looking to work on an international stage.

Carleton University’s Confucius Institute aims to accomplish just this.

The National Capital Confucius Institute for Language, Culture and Business is a joint partnership between Carleton and the Confucius Headquarters in China, a Chinese not-for-profit educational organization with 350 Institutes in 91 countries worldwide.

According to Justin Li, Director of the Confucius Institute at Carleton, the primary goal of the Institute is to provide a platform for people to explore the burgeoning relationship between Canada and China.

“I hope through this platform, we can link academia with real world practice.  We want to provide a true readiness for China.”

What separates the National Capital Confucius Institute with the majority of similar institutes is that this CI focuses on more than just the linguistic aspect of doing business with China.  Instead, the National Capital CI focuses on the integral nature of both the linguistic and cultural aspects of developing relations and business partnerships with China.  Through innovative and creative approaches, the National Capital CI helps students bridge the cultural divide-a divide that is frequently overlooked, resulting in unnecessarily strenuous and inefficient business relationships.

“Most institutes will tell you about the house, but not about the neighborhood,” explains Li. “At the National Capital CI, we want to work with our partners to present to audiences both the house and neighbourhood.”

The National Capital CI is partnered with Central China Normal University, one of the leading normal universities in China.  Founded in 1903 by US missionaries, CCNU will send professors and teachers to help with Carleton courses and programs.  The Institute will look into the challenges and opportunities in the global economy that face both China and Canada.  Through this partnership, a mutual understanding will be forged.

With an array of courses and programs that are offered to students and the general public on language, Chinese culture, business practice and China-Canada relations, the institute will strengthen the relationship between our two nations.  Li believes that by following in the Confucian spirit, the National Capital CI will achieve true success.

“We must find the harmony in our diversity.  We must recognize and appreciate our differences and find our commonalities.”

This partnership is yet another example of Carleton University’s continued emphasis on globalization, and offers an avenue for students to prepare themselves for a more global economy.

The Confucius Institute will be holding a celebratory kickoff event on January 24th, 2012 in 2017 Dunton Tower at 4:00pm.  This event will feature presentations in both Mandarin and English by prominent Canadian and Chinese speakers.