On Common Ground 2006: Prospects for Parity in U.S.-China Relations
Introduction
On Common Ground 2006 seeks to provide the opportunity for outstanding American and Chinese students to live, work, and learn together. Through these interactions, these future American and Chinese leaders will gain a better understanding of one another, both culturally and personally. They will have the chance to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
In becoming a part of our enduring cross-Pacific alumni network our delegates build a foundation of mutual understanding that they may bring into their future careers. This network is established on the basis of close personal bonds amongst delegates, FACES organizers, and mentors and is one of the measures that FACES believes will ultimately strengthen U.S.-China relations.
Format
On Common Ground 2006 is a two-conference, one-topic forum involving fifty exceptional American and Chinese university students. The first conference will take place at Stanford University and the second in either Beijing or Shanghai (location to be decided shortly). In the months between the conferences, delegates will create multifaceted projects on topics relating to U.S.-China relations.
On Common Ground Part I, Stanford University, April 16–22, 2006
The first conference of On Common Ground 2006 will take place at Stanford University and examine the theme of ÒProspects for Parity in U.S.-China Relations.Ó How likely is parity in the U.S.-China relationship from the perspective of foreign policy? How is this changed by international trade, media and the people in one nationÕs perceptions of the other? These and other questions will be considered from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Over six days, through panels, debates and colloquia led by invited experts, delegates will learn about and discuss significant issues in U.S.-China relations, such as cross-Strait economic integration, Chinese and American domestic politics, and the globalization of culture and entertainment. A keynote address will be given by a luminary in U.S.-China relations. Through these events and receptions with the invited dignitaries, delegates will have the rare opportunity to exchange ideas with a wide range of notable figures in U.S.-China relations.
Delegates will actively take on the roles of current leaders of the United States and China in a 12-hour negotiation simulation after a week of preparation in workshops with scholars and leaders in decision-making and crisis management. Delegates will also meet in small groups to begin working on the collaborative project (see below), defining their topic and outlining a plan for their summer work.
Delegates will also get to know one another on a personal level, participating in round-table discussions, visiting cultural landmarks and attending other social events, as well as living and dining together. At this conference, FACES will also organize a trip to San Francisco, where delegates will explore the city and document their journey in a photomontage.
Collaborative Project
During the six months between the two conferences, delegates will work remotely in small groups of both American and Chinese students, to study and analyze a topic of interest between the U.S. and China. These end products of these cooperative efforts can range from an academic paper on an issue in U.S.-China relations, a social venture, a creative project such as a short film, or a joint business proposal. The final product will be published by FACES and presented at a public symposium in Beijing.
On Common Ground Part II, Beijing or Shanghai, Mid-November *
The second of the two conferences will be held in either Beijing or Shanghai in collaboration with one of our newly founded FACES chapters at Peking University, Fudan University or Remin University of China. OCG Part 2 will serve to expand upon the Stanford conference, both socially and intellectually.
While the delegates will again learn from professors and professionals through panels and seminars, a greater focus will be placed on the delegates themselves as the educators. In public symposia, the collaborative project groups will each present their findings and recommendations to their peers, professors, and members of the public and media. FACES will again invite a luminary in U.S.-China relations to deliver the keynote address. FACES will also organize interactive events, such as field trips to sites relevant to the delegatesÕ projects or a film screening and discussion with acclaimed cultural figures.
As the year progresses more details of OCG Part II will be described. Check back soon!