On May 10, 2026, the 10th Forum on Children of Migrants was hostedby the Institute for Economic and Social Research (IESR) at Jinan University and co-organized by the Migration and Urbanization Professional Committee of the China Population Association.
Forum Participants
At the beginning of the event, Professor Shuaizhang Feng, Dean of IESR, extended a warm welcome to all participants and reviewed the Forum’s 10 years of operation since its inception in 2017.
He pointed out that children of migrants and left-behind children are “two sides of the same coin,” as the identities of these two groups often shift. He further emphasized that studying these groups offers valuable insight into the roles that schools and families play in children’s development. Concluding his speech, he called for academic research to become more closely connected to real life and to genuinely respond to the concerns of both parents and society. He expressed his hope that the Forum would continue to serve as a platform bridging academic research and policy, and that it would encourage young scholars to focus on real-world issues and produce research with tangible impact.
Welcome Speech by Professor Shuaizhang Feng
The Policy Forum commenced after the welcome speech. During this session, scholars from a range of institutions and organizations engaged in discussions on topics including educational equity, family reunification, and urban-rural integration.
In the afternoon, the Forum featured a thematic report session on the Longitudinal Study of Children’s Development in Mianzhu (LSCD).
Launched in 2016 as a collaborative effort between IESR at Jinan University and the Education Bureau of Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, the project aims to establish a database that reflects the healthy growth and holistic development of Chinese children, thereby supporting academic research and policy formulation. The study is advised by Professor Shuaizhang Feng and Nobel Laureate in Economics Professor James J. Heckman. Over the past decade, the project has amassed a wealth of longitudinal data and achieved significant results in measuring non-cognitive abilities, analyzing influencing factors, and implementing intervention practices.
Next, Mr. Liming Chen, Director of the Education and Sports Bureau of Mianzhu City, delivered a conclusive report. He began by summarizing the implementation of a series of policies and measures for migrant children and left-behind children in Mianzhu City. He emphasized that, with the continued support of IESR, Mianzhu City will further promote educational equity, deepen educational reform, and work with all stakeholders to support the healthy physical and mental development of children of migrant workers.
Summary by Mr. Liming Chen
Next, Miss Xun Chen, a representative of the teachers who delivered the “Growth Ladder” non-cognitive ability enhancement course for children in Mianzhu City, shared her experience participating in the project. The course features a phased and systematic intervention program designed to support children’s executive function development. By bridging the classroom and the family, it promotes the steady improvement of children’s non-cognitive abilities through home-school collaboration.
Report by Miss Xun Chen
At last, ProfessorShuaizhangFeng, on behalf of the project team, systematically reviewed the ten-year achievements of the Mianzhu project. He showcased several important research findings. These findings have been published in top international journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) and Journal of Labor Economics.
Conclusion by Professor Shuaizhang Feng
In the following section, four scholars from Shaanxi Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shandong University, and Zhejiang University reported on their latest research on early intervention, parental companionship, institutional design, and fiscal policies for children of migrants.
The event ended with fruitful exchanges. In the future, IESR will continue to collaborate with scholars nationwide to promote educational equity and advocate for relevant policies.
