CWU Holds Closing Ceremony for Seminar on Management Capacity for Female Officials From Developing Countries

China Women's University (CWU) held a closing ceremony for the Seminar on Social Management Capacity Building for Female Officials from Developing Countries in 2017.  

The event was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) and CWU. Li Xiaobing, president of MOFCOM's Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), Song Wenyan, vice-minister of the Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and Li Mingshun, chairperson of CWU Council, participated in the ceremony and delivered speeches. CWU Vice-President Wang Jingxia presided over the gathering.

Li Xiaobing expressed warm congratulations on the success of the training session on behalf of the AIBO, praised the significance of the seminar and fully affirmed the ACWF and CWU's efforts of thoughtful arrangement, standardized management and hard work. 

As the largest developing country in the world, China has taken consolidating and strengthening friendly cooperation with developing countries as an important cornerstone of its diplomacy. China is willing to provide assistance to the best of its ability to other developing countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Li said. 

Paying great attention to foreign aid projects, the Chinese government has upheld an objective and fair position, born in mind of the principle of equality, mutual benefit, mutual trust and a win-win result. Over the years, the government of China has constantly enriched foreign aid training methods, diversified and step up cooperation in agriculture, economy and trade, education, sanitation, science and technology, etc.

The event is one of the positive results of the government's effort to strengthen women's communication between China and other developing countries. Women can share their achievements and experiences in promoting gender equality, women's participation in social management and women's empowerment in economy and politics, added Li Xiaobing.

On behalf of the ACWF, Song extended her heartfelt thanks for the help and support of the MOFCOM. She congratulated the trainees on their outstanding completion of the courses and pointed out that the seminar is not only a platform for communication, but also a bridge that connects people from different countries. 

Combining the Belt and Road Initiative with President Xi's commitment at the Global Summit of Women in 2015, the ACWF has launched series of activities to promote the construction of a cultural exchange mechanism, expand friendly cooperation in fulfilling gender equality and promoting women's development, and enhance women's communication of diverse forms.

She hoped that all the trainees could keep close contact with CWU and the ACWF, improve their social management abilities and join efforts to promote social development and gender equality.

Li Mingshun expressed his heartfelt thanks to the ACWF and the MOFCOM. He hoped that female officials could take the knowledge gained back to their countries and share their cultural knowledge and their experiences in China with their colleagues, friends and families for a better understanding.

With many advantages in academic research, discipline construction, women and gender studies, and international exchanges, CWU is committed to serving women's development and social economic development, and strives to cultivate female officials. 

In the future, CWU will continue to play its role as a bridge, create conditions for female officials' exchange, deepen cooperation with other countries in fulfilling gender equality, share China's experiences in reacting to crisis and challenges, and contribute to improving women's status and women's participation in social development.

Malebogo Marumoagae, an official from Botswana, and Margaret Fozia Emmanuel Gabu, from South Sudan, gave lectures on behalf of all the trainees. They thanked the Chinese government for holding the seminar, thanked ACWF for their efforts in promoting gender equality and improving women's status and CWU's contribution to the training. 

The training course is crucial for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030). They have broadened their horizons, acquired knowledge of women's leadership and gender equality, and established profound friendships with their counterparts during the session, the representatives said.

They have recognized the Chinese government's emphasis on women's careers, poverty alleviation and environmental protection. They promised to cherish the opportunity, to take China's experiences back home and jointly contribute to gender equality in developing countries.

The trainees came from women's federations, governments, congresses, financial departments, and foreign affairs ministries of 23 developing countries including Afghan, Antigua and Barbuda, Ethiopia, Georgia, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zanzibar.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Gender Study Network)