Pictures of the Third Sino-Nordic Women

and Gender Studies Conference

Made by: The Gender and Participation Research Center of Yunnan

Academy of Social Sciences

December 2008

Pictures of the Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference

“The Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference” was held in Kunming Dianchi Spring Garden from Nov.4th to 7th 2008.Co-organized by Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, Social Gender and Participatory Office of YASS, Nordic Asian Research Institute and Nordic Center of Fudan University。Undertook by Social Gender and Participatory Office, YASS.

Main theme of the conference is ”Gender at the interface of global and local, from perspectives of

China and Nordic countries”.Based on the gender research of China and Nordic countries,the

conference analyzed different levels of influence brought about by globalization and also conducted

cross culture comparative studies,exchange views on the changing process of globalization and

localization, aiming at enable our understanding of similarities and differences from macro and micro

perspectives within the social sciences, and to promote future academic cooperation and collaborition.

(The conference obtained funds from: Sweden Bank 300 anniversary Fund, Faculty of Social

Sciences Aalborg University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Nordic Institute of

Asian Studies, Nordic Center of Fudan University and Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences.)

Participants of the conference include scholars from: Denmark, Sweden, Norway,U.S and Britain

total 20 foreign scholars, also includes experts from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Changsha,

Nangning, Xian, Jinan, Shijiazhuang as well as Yunnan,Guizhou, Guangxi, Hongkong and

Taiwan. Experts and scholars from colleges and research institutes in Kunming also attended the

conference, total participants accounted for over 100 in person.

The conference attracted attentions from leaders of Yunnan Provincial Government and won supports from relevent departments.Deputy director of Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress Mr. Yang Baojian, Chairwomen of Yunnan Provincial Women’s Federation Ms. Hu Youlan, Vice president Chen Jie as well as Vice Director of the Publicity Department of CPC Yunnan Mr. Zhan Ruicai, President of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences Mr. Na Qi, Vice president Yang Fuquan and Ren Jia, He Shenda all attended the opening ceremony and highly remarked on the conference, extended warmest congratulaitons on the opening of the conference and delivered important speeches.

The conference also attracted attentions from colleages and scientific research institutes, many well-known experts and researchers came to extend congratulations.

The conference gethered together a number of gender experts in Yunnan, triggered great interests in academic circle, particularly in development field, in addition to formal participants submitted research papers in advance, many scholars in and around Kunming also came to take part in the discussions.

Opening ceremony

On Nov.4th 2008, at 9:00am, the conference was grandly opened, chaired by Vice president of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences Mr. Yang Fuquan.

Senior researcher Cecilia Milwertz from Nordic Institute of Asian Studies introduced background of “Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference” and the first two conferences:

Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference are organized by the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and the Nordic Center of Fudan University. Held alternately in collaboration with a Chinese and a Nordic University every three years. The first conference was held in Shanghai Fudan University, main theme as “Re-Negotiating the Politics of the Public and the Private”; the second conference was held in Malmo University of Sweden with main theme as “Gender and Human Rights in China and the Nordic Countries.”

Meanwhile, Cecilia also gave special attention to the significance of the third conference to be held here in Kunming, reiterate it as a “face to face”, in-depth discussion of profound significance.

Deputy director of the Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress Mr. Yang Baojian presented in the

opening ceremony and delivered important speech, he pointed out that Yunnan enjoys unique

advantages on developing women and gender research, and great progresses have been achieved in

this filed. He also extend warm welcome to scholars in and aboard to carry out research here. He

reiterated that women study and gender equality promotion in Yunnan were highly praised by the

international world, as early as 8 years ago some overseas scholar commented that at present, there

are 3 areas where women study are most active, namely Beijing and Tianjin area, Shanxi Province

centered around Xian and Yunnan Province centered around Kunming.

Related to the current situations in and aboard, Chairwomen of Yunnan Provincial Women’s Federation Ms. Hu Youlan briefly introduced gender equality promotion in China and Nordic countries, confirmed achievements that have been made, and pointed out our common challenges in face of globalization.

The conference focused around gender analysis under the background of globalization.

President of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences Mr. Na Qi firstly addressed the conference with a brilliant lecture titled ”Gender equality: Logic choice for democratic politics”. He pointed out that gender equality is a common requirement for the society, for this, successful and sustainable democratic politics must take into consideration how to eliminate gender inequality of any kinds. Accordingly, effective and sustainable gender equality promotion could only rely on pushing forward of successful democratic politics, they are interdependent political relationship. Based on core component of democratic politics, Dr. Na Qi examined and analyzed gender equality promotion guidelines and history during China’s democratic politics process, and further refered to the gender equlity under the background of globalization, demonstrated dialectic relationship between democratic politics and gender equality.

Professor Na Qi’s speech triggered great attention and interest among the audiences, people started to actively ask questions and engaged in discussion.

“The Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference”lasted for 4 days, in

the first two days, in form of keynote speakers conference, discussions centered around 3

major themes...

Theme 1 Gendering “Globalization”

The theme covered definition of “globalization”

from gender perspective, globalization, state and gender equality, race, class, religion, mixing of state identity, development and humanity governing and so on.

Professor Saskia Sasen from Columbia University failed to present her paper titled “Two Stops in Today’s New Global Geographies Shaping Novel Labor Supplies and Employment Regimes” due to sickness. She concentrated on two variables formed in today’s economy at the top and bottom, picked up global city and a set of global south countries subject to the international debt-financing regime where due to survival pressure people often choose to migrant as studying targets. She focus especially on lower labor circuits and where are the key labor supply.

Professor Min Dongchao from Philosophy Department of Shanghai University delivered her speech titled “Some Thoughts on Gender and Globalization-there and then, here and now”, rethinking globalization, women and gender issue from perspectives of “flowing space”-globalization and “disappearing district”-local. Raised a number of considerations.

She took these issues as pressing for us to reflect on theory and concept of globalization. She also elaborate her research points on the conference.

Professor Kari Melby from Norway addressed

the conference with her speech titled “What is

Nordic in the Nordic Gender System?” based on

other two research achievements as “Marriage

pattern in Nordic countries” and “Politics of

Gender Equality and Social Welfare in

Scandinavia” respectively, exploring marriage

reform in 20th century in Nordic countries.

Professor Birte Siim from Aalborg University discussed “Challenges Presented by Globalization and Migration-combination of gender equality and culture diversity” in her speech. She contributed diversity and inequality within countries and in-between to globalization and increased migration, brought upon new problems for the public policy concerning economics. She highlighted challenges rising from globalization and migration, with special attention to the combination of gender and diversity. She declared there are two objectives for this research. First, rethinking of civil rights and ownership under the global and local relationship and multi-cultural background. Second, discussing gender equality and multi-culture combination under the Nordic background.

Theme 2 Globalization, Gender Mainstreaming and Women’s

Movements in China and the Nordic Countries

Professor Drude Dahlerup from Stockholm University spoke on “The Global Trend of Gender Quotas-Will the Inclusion of Women Further Democratization?”, pointed out that with increasing appeal for improving women’s political voice, many countries have corrected gender discrimination by adopting electoral gender quotas, which is valuable in achieving gender equality in various kinds of politics, and is precisely where democracy developed.

This theme include: relationship between women organization and state, grass root women

organization and globalization, gender mainstreaming model and reseach of gender issue in China

and Nordic countries.

Professor Tan Lin from Women Research Institute of All

China Women’s Federation and Associate Professor Cai

Yiping explored around “Women’s Movement and Gender

Mainstreaming for States in Transforming Stage”,

reviewed advocate actions and women organizations

pushing forward gender equality to make it a law in years

after 2005, named progresses that have been achieved and

seeking for strategies based on wins and losses.

Theme 3 Globalization and Social Change

Associate professor Pun Ngai with Hong Kong Polytechnic University talked “Gendering Dormitory Labor System: Production and Reproduction of Labor Use in South China”, noting that dormitory labor system is resulted from international labor division and makes the current situation of migrant women workers in China. Dormitory labor system is a form of gendered employment, combining dormitory labor and dormitory living. Global production rearranged labor production and daily reproduction, overseas companies and private companies controlled all labor daily reproduction. She proved her points through a case study conducted in a electronic company in south China in April 2003.

Nira Yuval-Davis with East London University delivered a speech titled “Women, Globalization and Social Change”. Starting from the word “globalization”, she explained connection between globalization and political belonging as well as its effect on women’s life. Her speech touched upon how feminists using globalization achievements as well as coping with its negative impacts.

This theme convered women, work and poverty issues under the gobalization, gender

and education, increasing change of life style and identity.

Group Discussion

Group discussion divided into two, started from Nov.6th, focusing around main objectives and three themes of the conference, with each one going into more indepth exploration.Over 30 participants engaged in the more detailed analysis from wider perspectives to these issue. They introduced themselves or the organizations where they came from, current reseach direction, resesrach projects, methodology as well as findings, thinkings, countermeasures and suggestions.

Discussions in branch groups are extremely open and

profoundly explored—each speaker has 15 minutes for

presentation, followed by 30 minutes of discussion on

the same topic. Questions were coming from different

aspects, concrete and in very detail while responds

also talking from broader sense without missing the

major points. Atmosphere around both tense, warm

and active. Speakers enriched and complete their

points and participants also get enlightened.

Discussion in Group A1（Chaired by Prof. Shen Haimei）

An Magritt Jensen from Norway Science and Technology University presented “Thai Women in the Arctic North”, introduced highly increased migrants from Thailand to western countries and deliberately detailed research findings on ongyearhyen case.

Associate professor Chen Yuan from Guangxi Nationality Univeristy delivered a speech titled “The Gender Analysis on Internationalization of Ethnic Festival: Take Nan-ning International Folk Song Festival as an Example”, explored how traditiona gender concept and gender relationship were reflected and reconstructed in modern gender relaitonship with male dominantion in ethnic festivities, therefore, demonstrate the complex relationship presented by globalizaed gender relationship and localization.

Associate professor Zhou Jian from Guangxi Women Carder School presented her paper “Globalization and The Aesthetic Identification of Folk Song”, arguing that aesthetic identification of previously simply identified by local ethnic groups has changed to multiple identifications affected by outsiders, and gender relationship in the process also been greatly changed. Zhou Jian also explored how women get positive development through these changes from a case study conducted in Long Zhou County in Guangxi.

Director Wu Quanxin from Tradition Knowledge and Community Development Center of Northeast Guizhou Province addressed the conference with his paper entitled “The context of globalization of the minority gender”. He point out that due to the effects from culture and globalization, gender concept and social regulations for Dong People are also changing rapidly, especially after migrating wave. Dong women also walked out of the mountainous region. He also mentioned that gender relationship for Dong are quite in line with the idea of gender mainstreaming, and valuable elements could be found to speed up gender mainstreaming, where male involvement and government efforts are forever important ingredients.

Discussion in Group A2 (Chaired by Professor Wang Qi)

Roger Sages

Gui Huimin from Women Development

and Rights Research Center of

Northwest Industry University addressed

on “Transnational Feminism and the

Gender Politics of legal Texts-Gender

Equality and Equality between Man and

Women”.

Zhang Qi from Hua Kun

Female Life

Investigation Center

introduced DVN and

UNWDF, advocate

signing to join anti-

violence against women.

Her presentation is titled

as “Anti-violence

Against Women:

Actively Participating in

the Network-based

Public Advocacy”.

Associate professor Du Xiangyun with

Development and Planning Division of

Aalborg University delivered a speech

named “Feminist Pedagogy on Science

and Technology Education– A proposal

of the Problem and Project based

Learning Approach”. Du pointed out

that “popular education for every

citizen” is the top strategic choice for

knowledge-based social equality, and

recommended “popularized science and

technology education”

Discussion in Group B1 (Chaired by Professor Luo Xiaoge)

Associate professor Luo Wei with South China Normal University holds the way of nature liberation and women liberation as identical

based on eco-feminism in her presentation entitled “An analysis of environmental problem in globalization: perspective of eco-

feminism”. She argued that both nature and women are subject to control and exploitation in patriarchy society, the key to solve the

environmental problem is to change the commonsense value system and belief sets grounded in the patriarchal rules. According to this,

eco-feminism consider environmental problem as social problem, extend relationship change from man-to-nature-man, man-to-society,

therefore, criticize the concept of “development” in globalization process.

Yu Qi, a master degree student from Shanghai University in her paper entitled “Criticism of Globalization by Eco-feminist of the Third

World-with Vandana Shiva’s Analysis of India’s Green Revolution as an Example” concluded that globalization has intensified he

unbalanced development between different countries, widened the gap between rich and the poor, and exerted far-reaching influence on

the living environment of different countries, especially he developing countries. In this paper, through the eco-feminist Vandana Shiva’s

analysis of the research data on India’s green revolution, find out the way as to how mankind should get oout of the current difficult

position and solve the eco-crisis.

Luo Yan, a master degree candidate with Nationality Institute of Yunnan University entitled her paper as “The expansion of the tea under

the background of economic globalization-a case for the Mengsong village in Jinghong”. In this paper, the author takes Mengsong

Village in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna as an example, which is involved in “Pu’er Myth”, uses the theory of ecology anthropology,

eco-feminine to reveal how the process of marketability and economic globalization aggravates local ecological and social vulnerability.

Associate professor Hilda Roemer Christensen with Copenhagen University take “Gender mainstreaming, women’s movements and

equality for all-Europe as a laboratory of the world?” as her topic, arguing gender mainstreaming as a core equality strategy in the

context of women’s movements and he equality for all campaign launched by the European Union in 2007. The focus will be on the

dynamic and innovative processes between the women’s movements/NGOs and the political and administrative levels both at the EU

and at national levels. She asked whether current strategies of gender mainstreaming and equality mainstreaming enforce or counteract

each other.

Discussion for Group B2 (led by Hilda Roemer Christensen)

“Women In-between:

Global Enterprises and

Local Women Workers in

Asia” was written by

Ragnhild Lund and Merete

Lie from Aalborg University

Zhao Jie , director of the Gender and Participation Research Center

of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences titled her paper as “Gender

and Development in Yunnan: At Interface of the Global and Local”.

Relating to gender and development in Yunnan, focusing on: 1.who they are,

concerning gender issues and activities carried out in Yunnan under the flag of

gender equality. She asked questions as which organizations or agencies are

they belonging to –UN, district, country, community, grass-root level? Or

what else? 2. which strategies and approaches are they applying?

Reproductive health promotion, against violence based on gender

discrimination, female political participation or environment development to

do GAD 3. what GAD’s impact are, what changes have happened on people

and on society in terms of gender system involving consciousness, behaviors

and social relationship or individual identity. Reflecting GAD in Yunnan, what

are the final results and what are the conditions for its existence to sustained

in root level.

Presentation for professor Shen

Haimei with Yunnan University is

on “International NGO Projects

and Women Development in

Yunnan”. Based on the review of

the historical process of

international NGOs projects in

Yunnan, such as community

comprehensive development and

women needs, women

reproductive health, micro-loan for

women, women headship building,

female immigrant and women

rights project etc, from the

challenges of NGOs in Yunnan,

tries to give response to the theme

of globalization and localization,

and understand the significance of

globalization in GAD field.

Fang Gang with Beijing Forestry University take “Reconstructing

Masculinities and Male Participation under Internationalization Background”

to consider the problem of social gender in the aspect of masculinities study.

He argues that during the process of advancing the social gender equality,

males participating is not enough. Globalization provided the opportunity for

the transformation of Chinese masculinities. He puts forward that male

participation should be encouraged both with rules and regulations and with

individual method. He proposed concepts as “male consciousness”, “male

emancipation”, “duality of Male Consciousness”, claiming that males should

be called to be conscious of harms conventional hegemonic masculinities

have done to both males and females, and only when such consciousness and

emancipation be based on the awareness of the fact that , under patriarchal

culture and system, females bear grater oppression can the advance of gender

equality be guaranteed.

Discussion in Group C1 (Led by Professor Guo Huimin)

Professor Zhang Liming from Yunnan University take his paper entitled “Rethinking gender

mainstreaming in China on the background of globalization” to demonstrate three phases gender

mainstreaming has been through in China, heated women studies, heated women program and heated

public policy analysis respectively in China. He also reflected in the gender mainstreaming experience

in China, and put forward his own points on promoting the level and improving quality of gender

mainstreaming.

Professor Luo Xiaoge talked about Jiangyong Women’s Script-Nu Shu, also called “female characters”

in her paper named “The relationship between grassroots organizations of women and globalization”.

The so-called character is well beyond understanding of men, exclusively handed down among women

and pronounced by standard of local dialect, find only in the border between Human and Guangxi. She

take “Nu Shu” as an example, focusing on the relationship between grass-root organization of women

and globalization from 3 aspects as: Jingyong Women’s Script, the natural way of life among non-

governmental sworn sisters, the excavation and influence casted on the script by female research

groups and academic societies in the context of globalization, the ecological protection to the script

under the project of international fund.

Vice chairperson of Hunan Provincial Women’s Federation Xiao Bailing introduced experience of

Hunan WF in promoting the gender mainstreaming in her paper entitled “The strategies and thoughts

in promoting the gender mainstreaming of women’s federation in the background of globalization- A

case study of promoting rural women political participation in Hunan Province”. This strategy

involved investigation and data analysis to affect policy-making process, providing suggestions for

government decision-making, proposed new ideas, create environment, strengthening cooperation to

further tackle political problems to protect women’s rights and interests.

Wen Yiqun with GPRC of YASS pointed out in her paper entitled “The participation in politics for rural

women in the transition period in China” that history is destined to have rural women participate in public

affairs administration, and raising awareness of participation in politics and capacity building for rural

women have become pressing task. She argues that the number of women officials is not the only measure

for women’s participation in politics, regulation should also be put into place, in addition to build hidden

social support system. Ordinary women and men are also part of the solution.

Discussion in Group C2 (Chaired by Prof. Ragnhild Lund) Professor Ann-Dorte Christensen introduced notion of belong in her paper named “Belonging and Unbelonging in an

Intersectional Perspective”. It has been used in many way to constitute gender, citizenship and globalization in recent

years. She both introduced theory framework in the first part and explored belonging and unbelonging based on case

studies in Denmark. Huan Yujie with Shanghai Population and Development Research Center presented her paper “The impact of

government participation on floating women population’s social integration”. Pointed out that women floating

population are increasing at a fantastic speed. Social belongingness have been greatly increased due to government

involvement in areas of reproduction and health care. Floating rural women ranked high than average men in terms of

satisfactory with residential place and willingness to stay, therefore, it is an important way for government to provide

social public services to help them acquire a sense of belongingness.

In her article entitled “Female Migration in the Context of Globalization in China-Margined and Development”,

Professor Wang Jufen with Social Development and Public Policy Institute of Fudan University applied part of the

research data from “women floating and migration in globalization” cooperated between Fudan University and

Norway Science and Technology Institute to analyze effects on women and their families from floating and migration.

Topic for professor Wang Qi with Oslo University is “Intersectionality-Gender, Class and Ethnicity in China and the

Nordic Countries”, in which the author talked the notion of intersectionality and gender, class and ethnicity in China

and Nordic countries in the face of growing globalization. It argues that both socialist China and Nordic welfare states

have created a homogeneous “welfare-receiver community”. In socialist China, it was the population of urban

registration and in Nordic countries is was the natives. Although to certain degree and in certain scope gender

inequality still exists in both, members of the “welfare-receiving community”, both men and women, enjoy state

protection and welfare service. In face of globalization, however, world economy has propelled capital, manpower

flow and labor migration, resulting in cross-regional and cross-national re-embedment of individuals. In China the

major challenge is how to deal with the rural population which was outside the state designated “welfare-receiver

community” but members of it are now physically working in urban cities, while in Nordic countries the question is

how to incorporate immigrants of various nationalities/religions into the secular Nordic welfare and citizenship

regime that the native people are proud of.

Assistant researcher Yang Jing take literature of the Annual Meeting of Gender and Development in China Network

as an example in her article named “The Travelling of Gender in China: Absorption and Elimination” to discuss

gender theory travelling in China from four aspects: the geographical route, meaning track, localization and the role

of the intellectuals respectively. She pointed out that the travelling in China is a process of both absorption and

elimination.

Discussion in Group D1 (Chaired by Prof. Wang Jufen)

Research fellow Wu Ga with

Tourism and Management

Institute of Hong Kong Chinese

University addressed on “Cross-

Disciplinary Literature on

Gender and Civil Society in the

Globalized Era: Classification”.

Doctor physician Chen Liang and Li Qiong with Yunnan Yuxi Disease Prevention and Control Center introduced

“Hongta District HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project for Female Migrant Workers”, which is of practical and

expansion value.

Deputy director of GPRC of YASS Dr. Du

Juan presented her paper entitled “Studies

on Factors of Influencing female sex

workers to use Female Condom”.

Director of Social Work Department of Chinese Women’s Institute, Shandong

Branch Li Guiyan argues in her “Equal Education for Girls from Gender

Perspectives” that boy student and girl student are not equal yet in terms of

educational objective, opportunity, content, resource, strategy and result.

Realization of this should start with increased educational investment, improved

educational model, enhanced teaching staff and let girl student actively playing

an important role.

Professor Anette Borchorst

with Aalborg University

briefed on “Scandinavian

Welfare Policies, Gender

Equality and Globalization.

Discussion in Group D2 (Chaired by Dr.Ann-Dorte Christensen)

Professor Birte Siim from Aalborg University delivered her speech entitled “The

Challenges from Globalization and Migration-he intersections of gender equality

and cultural diversity”.

Division Chief Zheng Xiaoyun with Scientific and Research Department of Yunnan

Academy of Social Sciences addressed the meeting with his paper entitled “The Ethnic

Cultural Reconstruction under the Globalization: Topic on Dai Women in Yunnan China”. He

reiterated globalization and ethnic culture as a pair of interactive relationship. Effects from

globalization will resulted in reconstructed ethnic culture and also brings new opportunities

for development. In the process, the point is how to reconstruct? In case of Dai women, grasp

opportunities brought about by globalization based on traditional culture will make

development a real difference.

Assistant Researcher with Yunnan Nationality University Wu Chengri

introduced her paper entitled “Yunnan Muslim Women Mosques and

Reflection”. Through investigations and visits to this mosques, and based on the

understanding that mosque culture worked on moral and physical body of

women, she pointed out that gender development in Muslim world facing a

number of risks, including western hegemony and market economy. She also

contribute ideology of family life to a series of beliefs and practices.

Director Jiang Yabin with Yunnan Provincial Social

Sciences Association presented his paper entitled “Actively

Participate or Passively Accept?” He introduced a story of

development in Yuanyang County’s minority women with

respect to the influence of China’s opening up policy and

tourism promotion. Reveal different development

opportunities brought about by different attitudes, and

further explored different effects towards various culture as

a result of globalization and social change.

Doctor degree candidate Pan Chunmei presented on

“Women’s Status in Modern Context and Women’s Role in

Qing Kou Village of Hani Minority”. She elaborated on

whether “women status” is a “pure fact” or a “modern

constitution” in theory, and presented women status in

different contents and forms. Applying to Qing Kou Village

case, she revealed insights of constitution in terms of theory

and in practice to help with better understanding in common

social practices.

Closing Ceremony

The Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference was formally declared

close on Nov. 7th at 12pm, chaired by Professor Min Dongchao with Shanghai University.

• On behalf of host institution, director ofGPRC of YASS Zhao Jie extended heartfelt thanks to Nordic

organizers for allocation of fund, to domestic and overseas resource persons for their brilliant speeches,

and to all participants for their contribution and hard efforts! Thanks also goes to YASS colleagues and

translators for their hard work! Overseas representatives and Chinese counterparts also extended

warmest congratulations on the round success of the conference, and expressed gratitutes towards

people from all walks of life.

• Participants shook hands in the farewell session, expressed their common will for future cooperation,

active engagement in academic exchanges to promote gender research!

The Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference was formally closed in the Internatinale

Seminar and Workshop for planning in future

In order to further advocate guidelines of the conference, organizing committee decided to hold a seminar in line with the conference on Nov.7 in the afternoon in Yunnan University after formally closed. Two topics were covered in the seminar, namely as “Entering Chinese Market, Research on Norway Investors in China” and “Gender Equality, from Social Welfare perspective—Limitation of Political Reform”, over 80 scholars from both the conference and other organizations participated in to exchange views.

On Nov.7, in the afternoon, another workshop also conducted in Kunming Dianchi Spring International Hotel on the topic of ”Exploring future cooperative possilities. Based on gender research, scholars from both Nordic countries and China introduced exchange programs to be carried out in the near future, including cross culture research. At the end of the workshop, opions about the Fourth Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference were exchanged in terms of conference theme, place to hold and in what form.

Stop, not ending

After 4 days of discussion and exchange of views, the Third Sino-Nordic Women and Gender Studies Conference achieved great progress in terms of applying and develop gender research theory to understand global and local advancement, popularize gender equality experience and modes, analyzing existing of gender problem and ways to tackle. The conference also helped with dialogue among scholars, practitioners and local academic institutes as well as NGOs. Improved research capacity among students, young scholars, and laid foundation for comparative research projects based on gender sensitive public policy making,

Content and forms of the conference are very impressive for many participants, Professor Du Xiangyun with UNESCO commented it as the best among all in recent years. Birte Siim, one of the organizers from Nordic countries considered it as very successful and the beautiful memories will forever stay. Professor Bu Wei from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences concluded that the conference has been very valuable in helping him better understand globalization. Associate professor Cai Yiping with All China Federation also expressed her satisfactory over the conference as extremely wonderful.

A number of media in Kunming reported the conference, they are “Yunnan Daily”, “Spring City Evening Newspaper” and “Xinhua Network Yunnan Channel”, Related news about the opening ceremony were timely reported. “Chinese Women’s Newspaper” also reported the event on Nov.10. “Spring City Evening Newspaper” commented:” women study and gender equality promotion in Yunnan possess characteristics of applying theory into practice, close to reality, cross disciplinary, and in different levels. Research, action and policy advocacy always go hand in hand.”

(Composed & Made by：Wen Yiqun, Li Hanjing, Zhao Juan)