On October 15, the 11th Education Forum of the Democratic League was held in Jinan, Shandong province, under the theme “Deepening Reform in Educational Models and Accelerating the Construction of a Strong Education Nation.” Experts and scholars from across the country gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on innovative practices in educational approaches for the new era, promoting the spirit of educators, and building a strong teaching workforce. Ding Zhongli, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Democratic League, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.
During his address, Ding emphasized that education is the foundation for constructing a strong nation and revitalizing the nation as a whole. He urged participants to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th Communist Party’s Third Plenary Session and the National Education Conference. Ding called for a focus on “comprehensive,” “full-process,” and “whole-society” educational strategies to actively explore reforms and innovations in educational models for the new era and to establish an integrated framework for nurturing talent across society. He stressed the importance of cultivating a strong teaching workforce guided by the spirit of educators, reinforcing ethical practices among teachers, and inspiring educators to embody integrity in their teaching, thereby striving to be “excellent teachers,” “guides,” and “mentors.”
Ding further encouraged league members to uphold the fine traditions of the Democratic League, embodying a patriotic spirit that prioritizes national interests and welfare. He urged them to adopt a pragmatic approach focused on generating ideas, implementing practical solutions, and engaging in thorough research within educational practices to contribute to the realization of a strong education nation and support the modernization of China.
Xu Hairong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department, highlighted in his remarks that the Democratic League, primarily representing the cultural, educational, and related scientific fields, has always been dedicated to education. He noted that the strong development of Shandong relies heavily on robust educational support. Under the guidance of the Central Committee of the Democratic League and the strong leadership of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Democratic League has focused on engaging in education-related political discourse and initiatives, actively carrying out educational assistance, and has made substantial contributions.
During the opening ceremony, Xie Jingrong, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Democratic League, announced the decisions for excellence in submitted papers. This year, the forum received 213 papers from 30 provincial organizations and various committees, including those from the Central Education Committee, the Agricultural Committee, the Youth Committee, and the Qizhen Think Tank. After rigorous evaluations by experts, 71 outstanding papers were awarded.
At the forum, keynote speeches were delivered by Ren Youqun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong University; Yu Minhong, Chairman of New Oriental Education Technology Group and Director of the Central Education Committee of the Democratic League; and Wang Dingming, Executive Vice President of Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences and Deputy Director of the Central Education Committee. Their presentations included insights on promoting the spirit of educators, essential qualities for today’s education, and key characteristics and strategic tasks for building a strong education nation.
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