Director Wang Wei Meets with Ford Foundation Delegates

    On April 12, 2010, Wang Wei, Director of the CASS Institute of Archaeology, met with a delegation from the American Ford Foundation which was led by John Fitzgerald, the Ford Foundation's China Representative. The purpose of Mr Fitzgerald's visit to the Institute of Archaeology was to familiarize himself with the developments being made on those projects which are currently being funded by the Ford Foundation. Wang Wei gave the visiting delegates a brief introduction to the aims and objectives of the Institute, while Wang Renyu from the Centre for the Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage gave a short speech on the situation regarding the conservation of cultural heritage in China's cities and villages and China's industrial heritage.

    Mr Fitzgerald expressed his satisfaction with the progress being made on the various projects which are being funded by the Foundation. Not only is this the first time that the Ford Foundation has sponsored humanities projects in China; it is also the largest sum of money that the Foundation has ever donated. The Foundation believes that Chinese cultural heritage is an integral part of humanity's cultural heritage and that by funding these projects, it will encourage domestic and international parties to step up their efforts to protect China's cultural heritage.

    After the meeting, Mr Fitzgerald's delegation paid a visit to the Institute's exhibition room, where they were joined by Mr Fitzgerald's wife, Professor Antonia Finnane, Yang Yang, the Director of CASS's Bureau of International Exchange, and several others. 

       (Translated by Kelly McGuire)