The 7th Forum on Children of Migrants was held by the Institute for Economic and Social Research (IESR) at Jinan University on May 13, 2023. . The Forum provides a platform for participants to present the latest research findings related to children of migrants with the hope to provide corresponding suggestions and solutions.
Participants of the events
The event has invited experts and scholars from institutions including Zhejiang University, Shaanxi Normal University, Guangzhou University, Shanghai University of Economics and Finance, Minzu University of China, Fudan University and Jinan University, alongside government officials from the Education and Sports Bureau of Mianzhu City and practitioners engaged in the relevant sectors.
At the beginning of the events, Professor Min Yao, Vice-president of Jinan University, welcomed the participants to the annual event on behalf of the University. She stated that Jinan University has always been playing an important role in the provision of consultancy for government policy decision to promote the development of the society. She hoped that participants could share the latest research, exchange views and contribute to the high-quality development and the Chinese path to modernization.
Professor Min Yao, Vice President of Jinan University
Following Professor Yao’s speech, Professor Shuaizhang Feng, Dean of IESR, addressed the ceremony, stating the annual forum is aimed at bringing academic and public attention to the issues faced by the children of migrants. He hoped that the event would provide an opportunity for academic and policy exchanges, which would further contribute to the improvement of the education and the life of children of migrants.
Professor Shuaizhang Feng, Dean of IESR
Then, Professor Yaojiang Shi from Shaanxi Normal University delivered a keynote speech entitled “Rural Human Capital Reserve and Future Economic Growth” and Professor Junsen Zhang from Zhejiang University delivered a keynote speech entitled “The Demography of the Great Migration in China” online.
Keynote Speech by Professor Yaojiang Shi
The Policy Forum followed the two keynote speeches. Participants had in-depth discussions on topics such as numbers of migrant children and the development of capacities of senior high school in Guangzhou, the development of cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of rural pre-school children and psychological support for left-behind children.
Participants of the Policy Forum
In the afternoon, the 2022 Report of Longitudinal Study of Children’s Development in Mianzhu (LSCD) was presented by Ms. Jingyi Yuan, Project Manager of IESR Survey Data Center, the Center in charge of the implementation of the project since 2017.
Ms. Jingyi Yuan, Project Manager of LSCD
The Event was ended by the summative speech delivered by Mr. Liming Chen, Director of the Education and Sports Bureau of Mianzhu City. He introduced the policies implemented by the local government regarding the improvement of education of migrant and left-behind children in Mianzhu City. He also expressed his full support towards the Longitudinal Study of Children’s Development.
Mr. Liming Chen, Director of Education
