You also can be a part of it!
The virtual seminar organised by CADAL and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation gathered around seventy participants across its six sessions, held on 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23 October via Zoom.
Writer Juan Pablo Cardenal gave lectures on China’s modernisation, China in Latin America, China’s soft power strategy, and the Xi Jinping era.
Another session, featuring a guest economist, explored China’s state capitalism and examined the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of the Chinese economy.
The final class focused on the subjugation of Tibet, presented by Aloma Sellanes, and the communist threat over democratic Taiwan, presented by Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell.
PARTICIPANT COMMENTS
“The seminar was excellent and very comprehensive. It gave me a new perspective on China, beyond theoretical knowledge, as it addressed the topics in depth and featured speakers who had lived there.” (Pamela Julieta Garcia Di Grazia)
“Thank you very much for the seminar. It was a valuable and well-organised experience. I learned a lot about China’s political, economic, and social evolution, and the talks sparked interesting reflections on its international influence. I hope these seminars continue. Thank you for the opportunity.” (Zahira Mira)
“It was a highly enriching seminar. Starting from the country’s historical consolidation up to the present day, it was fascinating to see how China integrated into the international system. I also appreciated the analysis of concrete cases of foreign policy with different countries, and the investment regime discussed throughout the sessions.” (Lautaro Fallacara)
“Thank you so much for offering these free learning spaces. I learned a great deal throughout the seminar, especially from the speakers’ personal experiences and insights.” (Rafaela Moyano)
“Thank you for spreading the word about this seminar. It was a very interesting and rewarding experience. It was a pleasure listening to professionals talk about China, and it definitely made me want to explore these topics further.” (Constanza Ponce)
“This experience was truly enriching and fascinating. I really valued the speakers’ presentations and their thoughtful answers to our questions. I came away feeling as though I’d had a first-hand glimpse (if only I’d actually been to China, haha) into the current situation of the Asian giant and its influence not only on its citizens but on the world at large. I would have liked more opportunities for open discussion or perhaps the chance for participants to unmute and speak, as typing can make the class a bit tedious. A seminar on Nigeria wouldn’t be a bad idea either.” (Lucas Panigutti)
“I really enjoyed the series of classes. They were very engaging and provided a truly valuable learning experience. As a suggestion, it might be beneficial to include some time for interaction among participants, to discuss or debate beyond asking questions to the speakers. I think that would enhance the experience even further.” (Germán Andrés Codorniu Ale)
“My experience was very positive. I hadn’t heard of CADAL before and found out about the event through my university group. The presentations, especially those by Juan Pablo Cardenal, were excellent. However, even though there were six classes, such a broad topic inevitably felt a bit short. Perhaps hosting separate seminars on specific themes, like Tibet, Taiwan, or the Uyghurs, would allow for more detailed analysis of each case, though I understand that depends on the speakers’ availability.” (Juan Martín Olsen)
“I found the experience truly enjoyable. I appreciated that the sessions were well-timed without cutting short participants’ questions, which were answered in the following session. This seminar helped me de-idealise my view of China. I realised I may have been exposed to subtle propaganda from the regime, and this reality check from such knowledgeable experts was extremely valuable.” (Benjamín Antona)
“The seminar was excellent and very interesting. It offered well-rounded, well-founded perspectives on a highly relevant topic. I appreciated how clearly the content was presented, and that the speakers were people deeply knowledgeable about the subject. The quality of the classes made the experience enriching and worthwhile.” (Paloma Lebrino)
“I would like to highlight the willingness and professionalism of all the speakers. It was an incredible opportunity to listen to people with such experience and expertise. I also want to mention the excellent organisation and the effort to answer all our questions. Finally, it’s wonderful that these kinds of events are open to students. It’s great that such initiatives aren’t limited to graduates, but also accessible to younger people like us, so we can start engaging with current global issues and meet experts who have studied them for years.” (Josefina Sulier)
“I was very satisfied with the organisation, content, and speakers. Perhaps the topics of the final class needed a bit more time, but overall it was excellent. Thank you for the opportunity.” (Sol Villaruel)
“I was mainly interested in the course to understand the background of the relationship between China and Latin American countries. The classes gave me a solid grasp of the topic and sparked my curiosity to learn more about China in the future. I’d also like to add a thought about the last lecture. The issues of Tibet and Taiwan carry great weight in understanding Chinese foreign policy, and since both topics are relatively unknown in our region, perhaps dedicating an entire session to each would make for even more valuable discussions.” (Lia Rodríguez)
“The seminar was a very enriching experience. The classes provided an in-depth, up-to-date view of contemporary China. I learned a lot from it.” (Delfina Onnis Albarracín)
“I found this experience both enriching and informative. It allowed me to learn more about China, a fascinating country that demands serious study. The experts offered excellent presentations on highly relevant issues. I’d like to congratulate CADAL for providing this space and the specialists for their participation. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and hope there will be more seminars like this.” (Laura Magdalena Astorga)
