From January 30 to February 9, the third Comparative Governance Forum, organized by the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University, was held at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. The program is fundamentally dedicated to deepening knowledge sharing and academic exchange in the field of governance among developing countries, thereby contributing to the modernization of their governance capacities. This session also marks the first time that this series of knowledge exchange activities on state governance - targeting neighboring countries of China and nations of the Global South - has been held on the African continent.

Academic Dialogue Rooted in Practical Realities

During the workshop sessions at the University of Johannesburg, professors from Fudan University further advanced scholarly exchange and intellectual mutual learning between Chinese and African academics in the fields of comparative governance and development pathway exploration. Scholars and experts from the University of Johannesburg, in turn, offered in-depth analyses of institutional choices available to Global South countries in their efforts to enhance governance capacity and advance sustainable development.

Immersive Dialogue Deepens Mutual Learning on Governance

The workshop extended beyond the confines of the classroom to engage directly with South Africa’s historical landscape. Faculty and students from Fudan University conducted field visits to key heritage sites, including the Nelson Mandela House Museum, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Apartheid Museum. Through immersive, on-site learning, participants integrated comparative governance theories with South Africa’s historical and practical experiences, developing a more nuanced and profound understanding of the historical foundations and normative underpinnings of contemporary governance.

The collaboration between Fudan University and the University of Johannesburg exemplifies the academic embodiment of Global South solidarity and cooperative principles, serving as a robust platform for co-generating governance knowledge and facilitating in-depth policy dialogue. During China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, the workshop series will progressively expand to cover key neighboring countries and major BRICS nations, thereby contributing Chinese insights and Southern perspectives to the construction of a global governance knowledge system.

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Source: ShanghaiEye

Writer: ZONG Xiaowen