Delegation Leader: John W. Berry
Past President, American Library Association,
Executive Director, Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges,
President, Freedom to Read Foundation Board of Trustees

Program Dates: November 10-18, 2006

A delegation of professionals specializing in library education has been selected to participate in bilateral exchanges with their professional counterparts in China, under the auspices of People to People Ambassador Programs.

CHINA

China is one of the most intoxicating places in the world today. Age-old traditions converge with modern Chinese life in a setting you are sure to find exotic. From bustling cities to rural villages to the top of the Great Wall, you will discover a warm and joyful society, where family and honor play a meaningful role.
 

Cross the International Date Line

Beijing is not only the political and administrative center of the People’s Republic of China, but also China’s single greatest repository of monuments and treasures from the imperial era. It is the second largest and fastest growing municipality in modern China, the home and workplace of more than 14 million people.

Arrival, orientation and opening dinner at the hotel. For those interested an optional foot massage will be provided after dinner.

Professional briefing Discuss the political and cultural diversity of China and receive further information on the conference schedule 

Professional Program: Opening Ceremony with keynote speaker(s)
Begin your professional exchange and education sessions this morning with representatives from the Chinese education system.

Breakout sessions focusing on:

Overview of library education in U.S.

Overview of library education in China

Welcome dinner with invited guests.
 

Today delegates will have the opportunity to visit a school. Activities will include roundtable discussions with Chinese teachers and classroom observation.

Professional program focusing on:

Issues of mutual interest for the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Phases 1 and 2 (2003 and 2005)

Encouraging freedom of expression and the freedom to read, especially involving the internet

Today delegates will have the opportunity to visit a school. Activities will include roundtable discussions with Chinese teachers and classroom observation.

Professional program focusing on:

Freedom of access to government information as a key to an informed and functional society

Utilizing the Campaign for the World’s Libraries (IFLA) to advocate for libraries globally

Professional Program: Closing Ceremony
 

This morning delegates and guests will visit the Great Wall of China, from whose high vantage points visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the sections of the wall that meander through the mountainous landscape.

This morning delegates and guests will visit the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), whose massive stone walls were once the residence of Ming and Qing emperors.

A farewell banquet on this final evening in China will give delegates and guests a chance to recap their People to People experience.

Optional Extensions to either Xi’an & Kunming OR Guilin & Shanghai

We work diligently to ensure that the activities described here are available on your program. In rare cases, scheduling conflicts, delays, weather or circumstances beyond our control may result in program changes. If substitution is required, we make every effort to feature comparable events to retain the content and quality of the program.