Peking University, Sept. 9, 2012: A research workshop themed “Gender Dynamics in the 21st Century - Exchanges Between China and Denmark” was successfully held at Peking University (PKU) from August 30 to 31. It featured more than 40 scholars and students from multiple institutes in China and University of Copenhagen, which also concluded the international summer-school course on gender dynamics held at PKU.

The event was co-organized by the Department of Sociology of PKU, the Women’s studies center of PKU and Coordination of Gender Research, University of Copenhagen. Participants discussed what connect and divide China and Denmark in terms of welfare, family, education, elder-care, motherhood, masculinity and femininity, gender equality, consumption and climate actions, offering thought-provoking perspectives from either China or Denmark.

During the opening ceremony, Professor Yue Sulan, Director of the Women’s studies center and former Vice President of PKU, talked about the historical development of both PKU and the higher education of women in China. She emphasized that the education was the root of women’s movement and the foundation of a gender-equal society.

At the workshop, scholars and students from University of Copenhagen introduced the women’s social movement in Denmark, which was a paradigm among Northern European countries. Though culture differences exist, China and Denmark have common goals as to build a society with harmonious gender culture.

As a highly beneficial experience, the research workshop has paved the way for further communication between the two countries on gender studies. The leading staff from Copenhagen would like to offer more exchange opportunities for teachers and students with PKU.

An international summer-school course was arranged from August 27 to August 31 at PKU in relation to the research workshop. A dedicated group of students from University of Copenhagen came to Beijing after one-week studying in Denmark. The course was structured around lectures of how gender dynamics are represented and produced in different institutional and thematic frameworks, with opportunities for small scale field work.

“Throughout the course we met with the leading organizers of some of the central players in family planning, reproductive health, gender-research and LGBT-organizers and exchanged thoughts and critiques - in the classroom as well as over informal dinners. All in all opportunities that would have been almost impossible had it not been for the exchange between University of Copenhagen and Peking University.” said Tinne Steffensen, a student from Univerity of Copenhagen.

The course also included a seminar held on August 27, with professors and students from both PKU and University of Copenhagen discussing on latest issues associated with gender.

The seminar had two parts: speeches and research reports. Professors from China lectured on the history and status quo of women studies in higher education, and the interaction between women studies and law. Professor Hilda R？mer Christense, on behalf of Coordination of Gender Research, delivered a speech titled “Gender Study in Denmark - Trojan Horse in Academia?” emphasizing the importance of gender study in Denmark in a humorous way.

Afterwards, several students gave short reports of their latest researches, including “Study of Career Development of S&T Women during Pregnancy”, “Online Study of Views on Marriage and Family”, “Family Medical Treatment, Intimate Relationship and Male Recognition - to Be the Husband of An Able Woman”. Tinne Steffensen gave a report on the media discourse of Denmark newspapers published in 2011.

According to University of Copenhagen, “a range of follow up activities has been planned: a conference publication in English and Chinese, the launch of a research network and further research collaborations as well as annual research/PhD courses.” The cooperation and communication between China and Denmark on gender issues now get a kick-off and have great promises.

Extended Reading

Successful research seminar in Peking

Exchange between China and Denmark

Written by: Liao Songyuan, Chen Long
Edited by: Chen Long
Source: PKU News (Chinese)