The 2024 Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Africa is currently underway in Kenya. The three-day event commenced on Thursday in the capital city of Nairobi. The conference is being jointly organized by the China International Foundation for Chinese Language Education and its Confucius Institute, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi.
Objectives and Participation of the Conference
This conference is aimed at stimulating the localization, development, collaboration, and innovation of African Confucius Institutes. The event gathered over 100 representatives from different Confucius Institutes and independent Confucius Classrooms in the whole continent of Africa. Eminent government officials, diplomats, academicians, and students graced the occasion at the University of Nairobi, where the East African Confucius Institute Alliance was officially launched together with the Kenya chapter of the Tianjin Alumni Association.
Keynote Addresses and Emphasized Themes
On her part, Aurelia Rono, the Principal Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, hailed the Confucius Institutes as crucial in cultural exchange and educational collaboration between China and Kenya. “Through programs in Mandarin language and Chinese culture, they enrich our educational landscape and contribute to the development of human resources,” she said.
It is in this context that Prof. Stephen Kiama, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, said that the joint meeting reaffirms the stand of both Africa and China in surmounting such barriers, noting that the exchanges enhance mutual interaction. In his perspective, African Confucius Institutes have transformed into excellence centers in propagating activities that foster cross-cultural activities, which he noted are very important in creating a world that respects each other and enjoys shared prosperity.
The founding of Confucius Institutes in Africa will be crucial in reinforcing the friendship between China and Africa and establishing a common destiny within the China-Africa community. According to Yang, this will be in congruence with the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He added that China would be ready to work with African partners to carry on with the spirit of friendship and cooperation from one generation to the other. He said, “This is the most important guideline for us to continue to secure the sound cooperation of Confucius Institutes and classrooms. Let us join hands to reinforce exchanges and renew the future.”
Historical Context and Achievements
Since 2005, four Confucius Institutes have been opened in Kenya at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Moi University. Thousands of students have over the years enrolled in these institutes to pursue studies in the Chinese language and culture. The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi alone has, since its inception, provided free training to more than 22,000 Kenyans from different backgrounds in Chinese language and culture. Additionally, over 400 Kenyans have received Chinese government scholarships through the institute.
Confucianism: An Enduring Legacy
Confucianism, also called Ruism or Ru classicism, is a moral and philosophical system that has greatly impacted China. It’s a deep-rooted tradition which has gone through numerous interpretations over time; its worthiness or unworthiness has been subject to intense discussion. It was founded on the teachings of Confucius, who lived from 551 BC to 479 BC and left behind many important works. The philosophy of Confucius came into existence during the years 6th–5th century BCE (Before Common Era). For more than two thousand years, Chinese people have followed this belief system greatly impacting their culture as well as shaping them individually too.