African Agency within Confucius Institutes? Challenges to equal cultural exchange between CIs and African host countries

Authors

  • Wokedje Homawoo Wokedje Homawoo is a Togolese and French cultural strategist
  • Sterling Conyers King's College London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47697/lds.35350023

Keywords:

Confucius institutes, African education, linguistics, cultural exchange

Abstract

According to Okoth-Okombo, language policy and economic development in Africa play a significant role in ensuring effective participation of large sectors of society in development activities and the public platform.[1] During a time when Sino-African trade and cooperation is at an all-time high, Confucius Institutes (CIs) have become important social funnels to signal cultural interdependency, while sensitizing the incumbent African workforce to the Chinese language and culture that awaits them within the new world order. Between the possibility of employment in increasingly numerous, African-based Chinese business ventures or the possibility to travel to China for further education, understanding the Chinese perspective has become more important than ever.

[1] Okombo, Okoth (2001), ‘Language Policy: The Forgotten Parameter in African Development and Governance Strategies.’ (Nairobi: Univ. of Nairobi)

Author Biography

Wokedje Homawoo, Wokedje Homawoo is a Togolese and French cultural strategist

Wokedje Homawoo holds a Leadership & Development MSc from King’s College London where she is also a Peace, Security and Development Associate Fellow at the African Leadership Centre. She additionally holds an International Management BSc from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Business School and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Alongside experiences across the private sector and NGOs, Wokedje’s research centres around food security in Africa, building climate resilience, and education access. 

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Published

2024-06-17

How to Cite

Homawoo, W., & Conyers, S. (2024). African Agency within Confucius Institutes? Challenges to equal cultural exchange between CIs and African host countries. Leadership and Developing Societies, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.47697/lds.35350023

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2021)

Section

LEADERSHIP COMMENTARIES