Chapter I General provisions
Article 1: Establishment of the network
The Belt and Road Languages and Cultures Network is a cross-regional, cross-linguistic, and open international cooperation mechanism in the field of language and culture. Its headquarters are in Beijing, China.
Article 2: Purpose of the network
It is committed to working with its member organizations and other partners to strengthen the alignment of language education policies, enhance the quality of language education in all participating countries, and promote language connectivity within the BRI framework. The network also seeks to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, promoting the influence of the BRI, and contribute to the steady progress in implementing the BRI.
Article 3: Basic principles
(1) Equality and voluntariness
Adhere to mutual respect and equal treatment, by which all member organizations are treated equally.
(2) Openness and inclusiveness
Promote cultural tolerance by encouraging members to respect each other's history and culture and enhancing dialogue among different civilizations.
(3) Collaboration and mutual benefit
Take into consideration the interests and concerns of all parties, seek points of common interest and common ground for collaboration, and give full play to the wisdom and creativity of all parties. Each party should contribute its strengths and capabilities, fostering complementary advantages.
Chapter II Basic functions
Article 4: Establishing a platform for language education and cultural collaboration
By integrating resources, merging channels and drawing on each other's strengths, the network will promote multilateral collaboration among language education and cultural institutions in countries involved in the BRI in an effort to build and operate mechanisms collaboratively and share the fruits of working together.
Article 5: Promoting academic collaboration and people-to-people exchanges
The network will strengthen academic exchanges among its members, foster mutual learning and promote people-to-people exchanges by organizing academic conferences, high-level dialogues, cultural exchanges, selection activities and publication programs.
Article 6: Strengthening research in key issues
The network will conduct joint research on important contemporary issues in cross-cultural and language education, providing intellectual support in formulating policies and promoting common standards in language education and cultural exchange in countries involved in the BRI.
Article 7: Cultivating cross-cultural international talent
The network will help develop an international, high-level, cross-cultural team of language teachers through joint training programs, and exchange visits and joint efforts to build exchange centers. The aim is to train high-quality language professionals who are proficient in languages, well-versed in international affairs and have expertise in specific fields. These efforts will provide strong talent support for enhancing language and cultural exchanges and connectivity among Belt and Road countries.
Chapter III Membership
Article 8: Membership criteria
The network is composed of organizational members who meet the following criteria:
(1) Be members of the network voluntarily.
(2) Adhere to the network's charter.
(3) Demonstrate influence in the field of language education or cultural exchange in their countries.
Article 9: Admission to the network as a member is by invitation. The network authorizes the secretariat to manage procedures. Organizations that meet the criteria of membership will be invited by the secretariat to apply for it, and will need to submit the necessary documents.
Article 10: Any member of the network wishing to withdraw must inform the secretariat in writing. In any case where a member engages in severe violations of the charter, the council reserves the right to terminate the membership.
Article 11: Member rights
(1) Supervise the network and provide opinions and suggestions on its activities.
(2) Propose supplements and amendments to the charter regarding matters not covered.
(3) Take part in the network's significant affairs and daily activities.
(4) Join the network voluntarily and have the right to withdraw.
Article 12: Member obligations
(1) Adhere to the charter and safeguard the network's legitimate rights and interests.
(2) Implement the resolutions of the network's council.
(3) Take part in the network's activities.
Article 13: The network provides the following services to its members:
(1) Organizing exchange activities: organizing academic events, facilitating member-to-member exchange visits to promote resource sharing, and arranging bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements.
(2) Building an exchange platform: operating the Belt and Road Languages and Cultures Network portal to facilitate the exchange of language policies and disseminate industry information; establishing international academic journals to promote professional development.
(3) Conducting training programs: organizing international English-language teaching workshops and facilitating language education training and exchange among members.
(4) Offering customized services: providing appropriate assistance such as communication channels, technical services and support to take part in the network's activities based on the needs of members.
Chapter IV Organizational structure
Article 14: The council
(1) The council is the decision-making and governing body, responsible for deliberating on and deciding important matters, making decisions on significant issues concerning the network's development, and overseeing the comprehensive management and coordination of the network's activities. Members of the network may apply to join the council.
(2) The council appoints a chairperson unit, that unit being from the founding organization of the network, China Daily.
(3) The network establishes an executive unit, elected by the council, to exercise the responsibilities outlined in the first item of this article during the council's recess and to be accountable to the council.
Article 15: Secretariat
(1) The council establishes a secretariat as the network's daily operating body. It operates under the leadership of the council and is responsible for the network's daily functioning, fund-raising and event organization, and executing decisions made by the council.
(2) The secretariat is located within 21st Century English Education, part of China Daily. The head of the secretariat is nominated and appointed by the chairperson unit of the council.
Chapter V Supplementary provisions
Article 16: If there are matters not covered by this charter that need to be supplemented or modified, the secretariat shall propose amendments based on the views of network members, subject to approval by the network's council.
Article 17: This charter becomes effective upon approval by the council.
Article 18: In case of any issues or disputes concerning the interpretation of the provisions of this charter, the network's secretariat shall be responsible for resolving them.
