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Abstract: Cases are an important carrier to enrich the theory of global governance, improve educational and teaching philosophies, and promote international academic exchanges. Case studies are a typical research method, are realistic and problem-oriented, and are characterized by the organic unity of theoretical logic and practical logic. We should integrate practical experience with theoretical innovation, integrate case studies with case-based teaching, and integrate independent innovation with the wisdom of various parties to promote the development of case studies, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, inject new impetus into the development of higher education in the world, and make useful contributions to building a community of shared future for mankind.
Key words: case study; case-based teaching; development of case collections; governance practice
Today, the changes of the times and the once-in-a-century pandemic are interlinked. In the face of difficulties in global governance, we should be pragmatic, be more rational and advance the reform of global governance. Case studies are a typical research method, are realistic and problem-oriented, and are characterized by the organic unity of theoretical logic and practical logic. Case studies are an effective way for us to respond to the questions posed by the times and to the changes of the times. Cases have three main characteristics:
Cases are an important carrier to enrich the theory of global governance. Focusing on practical experience and rooted in cultural genes, cases can differentiate and interpret globally common problems from local and national perspectives, so as to produce new ideas, new knowledge and new theories, and academically help make global governance more diversified and inclusive, fairer and more reasonable.
Cases are an important carrier to improve educational and teaching philosophies. Case studies were initiated by Harvard Law School in 1870. In 1920, Harvard Law School began to adopt the case-based teaching method. From then on, cases have been bridging theory and practice, and have helped transform the educational mode from passively accepting theory to identifying, analysing and solving problems. Cases still represent pragmatic and down-to-earth outlook on teaching, education and talent cultivation, and can greatly help change educational philosophies and train creative talents.
Cases are an important carrier in promoting international academic exchanges. At present, epidemic prevention and control, climate change, digital governance, ecological progress, poverty alleviation and food security are all issues of global concern. Resources development and case-based teaching can help convert policy discourse into academic discourse and popular discourse, so as to effectively promote international academic exchanges, boost mutual learning and management experience and governance wisdom sharing between different countries, and help build a better world.
Today's China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social reform in the Chinese history and the most extensive and unique innovation in practice in the history of mankind. This unprecedented great practice will provide a powerful driving force and a broad space for theoretical creation and academic prosperity.
Speeding up the development of distinctively Chinese case collections in the new era will significantly benefit academic research, education, the times and the world. When promoting the development of case studies, we should achieve integration of the following.
First, we should integrate practical experience with theoretical innovation to promote academic development. This era of great social changes must witness the great development of philosophy and social sciences and pose a large number of theoretical and practical questions that have not yet been effectively answered in traditional and old ways. In the development of case collections, we should take the epochal and historical opportunities of major theoretical changes to create better theoretical summaries of the rich governance practices of various countries, appropriately handle the relationship between theoretical universality and uniqueness, build the broadest possible consensus, and contribute to global academic progress. China's successful development and governance practices provide unprecedentedly diversified facts and rich data for academic research at home and abroad. We should broaden our horizons and minds to consider Chinese issues in a global context, initiate Chinese practices in the global governance system, clarify and address major development issues confronting China and the world, and put forward a series of related new ideas, concepts and judgments that are understood by both China and the rest of the world, so as to promote the development of social sciences in the world. This is also the academia's mission of openness, trust and cooperation.
Second, we should integrate case studies with case-based teaching to promote educational reform. Cases should integrate the resources of various parties. In particular, we should introduce the high-quality practice resources of practical departments and enterprises into the education system, so as to remove the barriers between theoretical teaching and social practices. We should establish social science laboratories in society, further promote innovation in knowledge, theory and methods, and promote the conversion of knowledge systems into teaching systems and teaching material systems. We should, through the development of case collections, promote the reform of research and teaching paradigms, hone students' capacity to use factor analysis to solve complex problems, expand their theoretical thinking and broaden their vision.
Third, we should integrate independent innovation with the wisdom of various parties to promote joint efforts and shared benefits. We should further exploit the potential of win-win cooperation and launch more interdisciplinary and cross-border case cooperation projects. We should further adopt new ideas and methods and encourage case exchanges and author visits to promote mutual learning, co-building and sharing of high-quality case resources. We should turn the China Case Studies Conference into an important institutionalised platform for exchange of high-quality cases, promote the building of an academic community for case studies, and create a better environment for case studies.
The Ministry of Education of China will continue promoting the development of distinctively Chinese case collections. First, we will enhance support for case studies. We will identify research topics and areas for relevant funded projects to promote research paradigm reform. Second, we will give more incentives for the development of case collections. In the assessment of outcomes and the evaluation of talents, case collections will be considered as important as academic papers. Third, we will accelerate the construction of case study bases and build a number of demonstration bases for case studies by cooperating with key enterprises and institutions, so as to motivate experts, scholars, teachers and students to truly understand and study Chinese practices, develop high-quality case collections, and academically explain the Chinese experience.
This planet, which we rely on for survival, is changing with every second, and China, too, is changing with every moment. The new era requires us to seize the opportunities that history has afforded us, summarize successful experience and work together to address challenges. Let us join hands with each other to promote the development of high-quality case collections, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, inject new impetus into the development of higher education in the world, and make positive contributions to building a community of shared future for mankind.
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About the author: Huai Jinpeng, male, Minister of Education, secretary of the CPC Leading Group of the Ministry of Education, and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This article is the speech by Minister Huai Jinpeng at the China Case Studies Conference 2022, and was abridged when published.