The International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy and Cultivation of Cross-cultural Multidisciplinary Foreign Language Talents, hosted by the School of Foreign Languages at Renmin University of China (RUC), was held from Nov. 18th to 19th. 

The conference brought together nearly 100 experts from China, Germany, Australia, the United States, Spain, and other countries to discuss and explore cultural diplomacy and the development of multidisciplinary foreign language talents.

Lin Shangli, President of RUC, delivered a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the conference. Lin emphasized the need for a number of foreign language talents. He stressed the importance of cultivating more versatile talents with a sense of patriotism, a global vision, and professional competence, as well as improving students' cross-cultural communication abilities and nurturing more innovative talents who are skilled in dialogue, cooperation, and global leadership.

Shi Mingde, President of the China-Germany Friendship Association and former Ambassador to Germany, pointed out in his speech that RUC has strong faculty, complete disciplines, and a solid research foundation, giving it unique advantages in cultivating high-quality regional and country-specific talents.

Chen Fang, Dean of the School of Foreign Language, RUC, stated that the School should continuously expand the humanistic value of foreign language disciplines, improve the educational mechanism, and cultivate high-quality international talents who can participate in global governance.

Debora Tydecks-Zhou, Chief Representative of Beijing Office, Hans Seidel Foundation (Germany), introduced the mission and vision of the Hans Seidel Foundation, hoping to enhance cultural understanding and promote cultural diversity through international exchanges, and jointly build a harmonious and friendly international environment.

The conference featured four keynote speeches and an expert panel discussion, focusing on topics such as regional and country-specific studies in foreign language universities and schools, cultural diplomacy in the new era, and cultural diplomacy in the development of foreign language talents.

Five sub-forums are included, themed on cultural diplomacy, the development of versatile foreign language talents, historical education in memory sites and foreign language curricula, regional and country-specific research, and media diplomacy and cross-cultural translation. Nearly forty Chinese and foreign experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions.

The conference was jointly organized by the School of Foreign Languages, RUC, the School of Global and Area Studies, the China-Europe Alliance for Humanities and Arts Education, the China-Germany Friendship Association, and the Beijing Office, Hans Seidel Foundation (Germany). 

It aimed to bring together domestic and international scholars to contribute to the development of foreign language disciplines and talent cultivation, as well as to enhance cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between China and foreign countries.