From November 7 to 9, “Life and Development” International Forum, 2010, was held in Hangzhou. Our school sent 15 students as voluntary interpreters to service the foreign guests.
The international delegates spent the first day on touring in Hangzhou. They boated on the West Lake and enjoyed an excellent performance of “Impression: West Lake”. They also visited the imperial street built in Southern Song Dynasty and Qinghe Lane, experiencing the atmosphere of history and culture, and explored Xixi Wetland. Volunteers who major in different languages proficiently introduced Hangzhou to foreign guests in French, Japanese or German, leading them into the profound and extensive culture of China. Volunteers also assisted the delegates in interviews with the media. Prof. Michèle Schmiegelow from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) made no secret of her love for Hangzhou. She still preserves the photos of Hefang Street she took ten years ago when she visited Hangzhou to this day.
On November 8, 2010, opening ceremony of the forum was hosted by Dong Guili, vice mayor of Hangzhou. During the forum, Frederic Eckhard, the former spokesman of the United Nations and the specially-appointed professor of Zhejiang University, addressed a speech. The agenda for the afternoon was panel discussions. During the break, volunteers actively communicated with delegates, exchanging their opinions. Their brilliant demeanor and extensive knowledge of both Western and Chinese culture gained the delegates’great praise. In the evening, around 19 o’clock, officials of Hangzhou Municipal Government entertain the distinguished guests in Xizi Hotel.
The last day of the forum continued the panel discussions on “How can citizens’ life and the development of society promote each other”. A common view between officials and scholars was to insist on people-orientation, rather than growth of GDP. After a full discussion among more than 100 officials and scholars all around the world, the forum brought to a successful close in Xizi Hotel on the morning of November 9.
In the following closing ceremony, several specialists addressed their final reports. And Luo Weidong, the vice president of Zhejiang University made a speech as a conclusion of the forum.
Volunteers from SIS excellently fulfilled their duties during the three-day forum. They acquired a precious opportunity to practice their oral English while they introduced China’s culture to those foreigners present. They learned a lot from the speeches and discussions. The organizers and the participants of the forum all praised the volunteers for their efforts.
(Translated by YANG Liu)
