Eurispes meeting with the delegation of the CASS Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing to set up joint scientific and cultural cooperation initiatives
On September 20, 2023, Eurispes promoted a meeting with a Chinese delegation of scholars and researchers from the CASS Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing with the aim of examining the possibilities for promoting joint scientific and cultural cooperation initiatives.
The Chinese delegation was led by Prof. Zhongping FENG, Director General of the Institute of European Studies (IES-CASS), and composed of:
Prof. Yanhong SUN, who works in the field of economic studies on the European Union, Italy and China, promoter and responsible for the annual “Italy’s Development Report” published by IES-CASS;
Prof. Xiujun XU, from the Institute of World Economics and Politics;
Prof. Yongsheng ZHANG, Director General of the Institute for Eco-civilization;
Prof. Youguo ZHANG, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Quantitative and Technical Economics;
Prof. Xinwei LI, from the Institute of Archaeology;
Prof. Na YI, Researcher of the Institute of Ethnic Literature;
Ms. ZHAO Fangxue, Programme Officer of the International Cooperation Bureau.
In his address, the President of Eurispes, Prof. Gian Maria Fara, expressed his belief that these collaborative initiatives can open up a path to better mutual understanding and make it possible to identify the elements on which to work in order to better deal with the common global challenges of our time. He then illustrated the value of the analysis methodologies followed in the elaboration of the Institute’s main research work, the Italy Report. The Secretary General of Eurispes, Prof. Marco Ricceri, then presented the structure of the Observatories and Laboratories that contribute to in-depth research in areas of activity of particular strategic importance; he also emphasised the need to deepen international comparison on sustainable development. The President of the Eurispes Scientific Committee, Prof. Alberto Mattiacci, particularly drew the Chinese delegation’s attention to the opportunity to further analyse the trends emerging in the youth world, also with reference to the role of secondary and higher education.
The presentation of Eurispes’ indications was completed by the speeches of the head of the Observatory on Infrastructure, Logistics and Transport, Luca Danese; of Cybersecurity, Roberto De Vita; and of the Europe Laboratory, Umberto Triulzi. In indicating the thematic areas on which to focus future Italian-Chinese cooperation, Angelo Caliendo, a member of the Eurispes Board of Directors, suggested working on the imbalances between the North and South of the country and assessing the development opportunities linked to particularly important initiatives such as Special Economic Zones. On the occasion of the meeting, the President of Eurispes, Gian Maria Fara, and the Director General of the Institute of European Studies of IES-CASS, Zhongping FENG, signed a cooperation agreement to promote the exchange of information and documentation, encourage visits by experts from the respective institutes, and launch joint research initiatives also with the Chinese Society of Italian Studies, affiliated to IES-CASS.
Introduction to CASS
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is the leading academic organisation and comprehensive research centre of the People’s Republic of China in the fields of philosophy and social sciences.
CASS was founded in May 1977. GAO Xiang is the current President.
CASS currently has six academic divisions: the Academic Division of Literature and Philosophy; the Academic Division of History; the Academic Division of Economics; the Academic Division of Social, Political and Legal Studies; the Academic Division of International Studies; and the Academic Division of Marxist Studies.
CASS consists of 42 Research Institutes and 7 Functional Departments. It supervises 113 National Academic Societies and 180 Research Centres operating according to academic standards. CASS has more than 4,200 employees in total, of which more than 3,200 are professional researchers.
To date, CASS has established academic exchange links with more than 140 countries and regions worldwide, forged contacts with more than 200 research organisations, academic groups, higher education institutions, foundations and government departments, and signed more than 190 academic exchange agreements.