Mr.Dong: World Peace and Children's Education：China-Japan-Denmark ATA Micro Forum

By Dong Ruixiang

 

As a key component of the Hans Christian Andersen Teacher Award (ATA) Nordic study tour, a small forum was held on the morning of December 14, 2024, at Nordfyns Folk Højskole in Denmark. Members of the ATA delegation engaged in discussions with Mr. Tadao Chiba, founder of Nordfyns Folk Højskole, and Mr. Mogens, its former president, exploring the relationship between children’s education and world peace.   

 

Mr. Tadao Chiba shared that over 50 years ago, he traveled from Japan to Vladivostok, Russia, with just $500 and a one-way ticket, then journeyed along the Trans-Siberian Railway to Denmark.

His goal was to study the root causes of this Nordic nation’s prosperity and harmony.

 

He identified "democracy" as Denmark’s cornerstone, encompassing three principles: freedom, equality, and solidarity.  

Through extensive data comparisons, Mr. Chiba highlighted the gaps between Japan and Denmark in social welfare, women’s rights, and education, offering Chinese education experts insights into the Nordic model’s allure.

 

Over the past half-century, he has guided thousands of Japanese professionals to Denmark for study tours. Now 83, he continues to share Danish experiences at Japanese universities and institutions. His efforts to promote social progress in Japan earned him a medal from the Japanese Emperor.  

 

ATA founder Dong Ruixiang noted that Denmark hosts over 70 Folk Højskole. Despite challenges, including visa issues, ATA has maintained collaboration with Nordfyns Folk Højskole since their 2016 partnership to establish the Andersen International Kindergarten College (AIKC). This cooperation persists not only due to figures like the "Santa-like" Mr. Mogens and the legendary Mr. Chiba but also because the college attracts diverse students, particularly from Japan. Such interactions, Dong emphasized, foster grassroots friendships that heal historical divides. ATA delegates aim to instill peace in children’s hearts—a vital step toward family well-being, social harmony, and global peace.  

 

Zhao Lanhui, an ATA award-winning kindergarten director, exchanged ideas warmly with Mr. Chiba. Delegates also shared positive reflections on their time with Japanese students. The group expressed gratitude for a traditional Japanese dinner prepared by the students, singing the Japanese folk song *Four Seasons* in thanks.  

 

Chiba’s insights echoed a recent meeting with Annette Lind, German-Danish Consul in Flensburg, who discussed minority peace initiatives and joined delegates in a unity dance before raising the Danish flag. "World peace is humanity’s shared aspiration," Dong remarked.  

 

Gao Jianli, another ATA awardee, gifted Chiba a nine-colored deer bookmark to us.

 

while delegate Gan Hailu presented a meteorite from China’s Gobi Desert: "Viewed from space, earthly conflicts are but dust."

 

The group later posed for photos before the weathered logo of the Andersen International Kindergarten College.  

 

 

Post-forum, Mr. Mogens drove the delegation to visit the "World Peace Folk Højskole" he founded.

 

On the return trip, we stopped at an 800-year-old Danish royal palace, photographing a Buddha statue symbolizing truth, kindness, and beauty.  

 

As the tour concluded, ATA delegates bid farewell to a statue of Nobel Peace laureate Nelson Mandela at Nordfyns Folk Højskole and revisited trees Mr.Dong had planted years prior—symbols of friendship, peace, and hope.

 

Mr. Mogens gifted his book *Hans Christian Andersen and His Art of Living* to awardees including Peng Yusheng, Hu Hua, Zhao Lanhui, and Gao Jianli.  

 

At departure, Mogens dressed as Santa Claus to say goodbye.

 

Under Nordfyns’ night sky, 2024’s final memories lingered.  

 

A poem by Ms.Sunming to remember the wonderful ATA Nodic Study tour.

 

Delegates left behind tokens of goodwill: a Danish swan photo (used for ATA certificates) in a dormitory and a copy of *Reader* magazine in a classroom, featuring Dong Ruixiang’s essay:Wandering the World with Reader—Small Acts, Global Kindness.  

"World Peace and Children’s Education"—though a "micro" forum, its message is profound. Together, we strive.  

 

Farwell, see you in dream…