On April 22, the "Commemorative Conference on the 130th Anniversary of Dr. Pengchun Chang" co-held by Nankai University, Columbia University, and Chang Poling Research Association was held online and offline.

Chang Pengchun at Economic and Social Council—ECOSOC in 1947

Chang Pengchun (April, 1892 - July, 1957), the younger brother of the famous educator Chang Poling, was an educator, drama activist and diplomat. He was one of the major founders of modern Chinese drama, known as "the pioneer of modern drama in the northern part of China". As one of the first batch of graduates of Nankai School, Chang Pengchun studied at Columbia University in his early years and was involved in the founding of Nankai University and Tsinghua University after returning to China. He also initiated the World Health Assembly, and as an important architect of the world human rights system, participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, making significant contributions to the cause of the United Nations.

Xue Jinwen, former secretary of the Party Committee of Nankai University  and chairman of Tianjin Federation of Social Sciences, Zhang Yuanlong, descendant of Mr. Chang Poling, chairman of China Red Ribbon Foundation and advisor of Chang Poling and Yan Xiu Research Association, Portia G.Williams, professor and director of International Affairs Department of the Teachers College of Columbia University,  and Li Yuelin, director of the Office of International Affairs of Nankai University delivered speeches at the conference. Zhang Bingxue, consultant of Chang Poling  and Yan Xiu Research Association, and Chen Zongsheng, professor of Nankai University and former deputy secretary-general of Tianjin Municipal Government, attended.

Scholars and experts from Columbia University, Nankai University, Chang Poling and Yan Xiu Research Association, Guangming Daily, China and America Humanities Society, China University of Political Science and Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Guangzhou University  have respectively gave talks on studies of Chang Pengchun's thoughts and contribution, modern China education, human rights, modern Chinese drama, Confucianism and philosophy, etc.

On September 11 of last year, Nankai University, Columbia University, and Chang Poling Research Association jointly held a book donation ceremony to commemorate the 104th anniversary of the famous educator Mr. Chang Poling's admission to Columbia University and the 15th anniversary of the Chang Poling Research Association. Nankai University and Chang Poling Research Association donated more than 40 volumes of 28 kinds of books to the China Education Research Center of Teachers College of Columbia University.

(Edited and translated by Nankai News Team)