China Rising-A Symposium Promoting the Understanding of Contemporary Chinese Society, Culture, and Economy

March 8 , 2007 -- For more than a century, Oberlin College has promoted ties with China and East Asia, both academically and institutionally. To cultivate a deeper understanding of contemporary China, the East Asian Studies Program will present the symposium “China Rising” on March 9-10. Five distinguished alumni will share their expertise and personal experiences during the two-day program, which is free and open to the public.  Sophie Richardson ’92, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, will present the keynote address “Human Rights in China.”

The aim of the China Rising Symposium is to promote the understanding of contemporary Chinese society, culture, and economy, as well as to encourage positive and productive Sino-American relations. Symposium organizer and Associate Professor of Chinese Qiusha Ma has brought together a notable group of speakers whose careers are deeply related to China. In addition to panels for educators and administrators, there will be sessions designed for students interested in pursuing careers related to East Asia.

The symposium is sponsored by the East Asian Studies Program.  Additional sponsors include the Freeman Foundation Undergraduate Asian Studies Initiative, the Office of the President, the Alumni Association, and Oberlin Shansi.

Speakers
Dr. Sophie Richardson (OC ’92): Deputy Director of the Asia division at the Human Rights Watch; worked for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; oversaw electoral, legislative, and political party programs in Cambodia, China, and Hong Kong; served as a consultant on democratization, human rights, and governance to the International Crisis Group, the National Democratic Institute, and the World Bank; and has been published in the Journal of Asian Studies, The Nation (Bangkok), The Phnom Penh Post, and the Far Eastern Economic Review.

Dr. Thomas Gold (OC ’70): Associate Dean of International and Area Studies/Associate Professor of Sociology, UC Berkeley; Executive Director of the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies.

Dr. Douglas Spelman (OC ’63): Minister Counselor, Senior Service, US Foreign Service; Consul General in Shanghai (2002-2005).

Dr. Ralph Huenemann (OC ’61): Professor of Economics and International Business, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University, Beijing. Founding Director, Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, University of Victoria.

Mr. Timothy Liang (OC ’71): Senior Vice President, JSJ Corporation, Grand Haven, Michigan; Trustee, the Yale-China Association/Oberlin Shansi Association.

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Media Contact:

Scott Wargo
Director of Media Relations
Oberlin College
440-775-5197

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