Letter from André Roberfroid from China
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you from Hangzhou, China, where together with Jean Miller and Megan Tyne we have had the first round of discussions with our Chinese partners. To say that these discussions are promising would be an understatement. We now have evidence that the Montessori approach to education is considered very seriously by the education authorities of China, including departments at a high level of the government. We have also had very fruitful contacts with a number of university professors leading to a potentially creative collaboration in the field of research.
The main elements of AMI’s involvement in China have been agreed upon. The most important and urgent is, of course, training. A first course, 0-3, will start next February, directed by Judith Orion. A second course, 3-6, under Shannon Helfrich, will follow by August 2008. Jean Miller will undertake a 6-12 course at a later date. Further courses are currently being planned. We have already identified and visited the facilities. In the meantime, a number of Chinese candidates will be sent abroad wherever it is feasible. A subsequent plan for the training of trainers is being prepared.
The other elements covered in our preliminary strategy are research, material distribution and production, translation and publication of Maria Montessori’s books and related literature, monitoring and assessment of schools, and inclusion of China in the AMI communication network. Last but not least, we have discussed membership. It is estimated that the impact of China on AMI membership will be very significant, as early as this year.
All these activities will be largely implemented by public schools and other government institutions, but will be closely coordinated and controlled by the AMI training centre in Hangzhou. We also anticipate the establishment of an official AMI institutional partner in China.
Clearly we are at a turning point in AMI’s involvement in China. To give the appropriate visibility to this new chapter in AMI’s life a major event will take place on 28, 29, 30 October, here in Hangzhou, when the Government of Zhejiang province and AMI will organise a conference to celebrate the Montessori centenary and to launch our new collaboration. We expect up to 2,000 participants in what promises to be a very memorable event. A large number of AMI trainers and specialists will be invited. We are currently finalising the programme and the list of speakers, making sure that AMI will offer its very best resources to our Chinese friends.
It will be a truly historical event - the venue is impressive, the city of Hangzhou is beautiful. China is inviting AMI. It is an honour and a challenge. The presence of many AMI participants from all over the world will demonstrate that we deserve the honour and that we are capable of meeting the challenge ahead. May I urge you all to do everything to be with us in China on this occasion.
Extract from letter dated 19 May 2007 from AMI President, André Roberfroid
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China Centenary Conference 
