From 1st to 12th July, 2023, the Open University of China's (OUC) Faculty of Political Science and Law organised a series of three lectures centered around the theme of "Primary-Level Governance in the Chinese Path to Modernisation."
The School of Law, the School of Sociology, and the School of Public Administration invited renowned industry experts and professors to engage in discussions on primary-level governance within the context of China's modernisation journey. The lectures were attended by over 200 teachers and students from the Faculty of Political Science and Law, as well as participants from across the OUC system, through a blended format of online and offline sessions.
Themed lecture of the School of Law
The School of Law hosted a lecture on "Public Legal Services for Rural Revitalisation," presented by Professor Yan Xiang from the Law School of Wuhan University. The lecture provided an overview of the historical development and current status of public legal services in China. Through the use of statistical data and case studies, the lecture delved into the existing challenges and potential solutions regarding rural public legal services in various regions of the country. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of establishing a modern public legal service system that encompasses both urban and rural areas, highlighting its role in enhancing the modernisation of the national governance system and capacity.
Themed lecture of the School of Sociology
The School of Sociology invited Professor Liu Shaojie from Renmin University of China to deliver a lecture on the topic of "Causes and Countermeasures of the 'Suspension' of Digital Rural Construction." Based on extensive research on the digital transformation of representative villages, the lecture examined the factors and reasons behind the challenges faced by the digital village construction, drawing from specific research cases. Additionally, feasible solutions were proposed to facilitate the successful implementation of digital village projects.
Themed lecture of the School of Public Administration
The School of Public Administration welcomed Associate Professor Zhang Zhang from Renmin University of China to deliver a lecture on the topic of "Modernisation of Primary-Level Governance: Summary and Prospects." During the lecture, Associate Professor Zhang shared his insights on the modernisation of primary-level governance. He provided a historical overview of the process and offered a theoretical analysis of the current situation, highlighting its main characteristics. Furthermore, he engaged in a forward-looking analysis of the future trajectory of primary-level governance modernisation. The lecture fostered a lively discussion among the participants, enabling Associate Professor Zhang to address various theoretical and practical topics related to the modernisation of primary-level governance.
Primary-level governance serves as the foundation of national governance. The comprehensive advancement of governance in townships, streets, and urban and rural communities represents a crucial undertaking for enhancing the modernisation of the national governance system and capacity. The three majors—Law, Sociology, and Public Administration—established within the Faculty of Political Science and Law, are intricately linked to the concept of "primary-level governance." Through the organisation and implementation of this lecture series, the teachers and students within the OUC system actively discussed and explored the roles and contributions of these majors in promoting the modernization of the primary-level governance system and capacity. This not only broadened their perspectives but also elevated the professional expertise of the teaching staff, fostering a deeper comprehension of the multifaceted essence of China's path to modernisation.
Written by Hu Xiaoyu, photographed by Cui Yue, OUC