US and Canada Discovery Trip

17 to 26 September 2011, government officials from Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission, Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office, Kunming Municipal Public Security Bureau to visit SIL International and GIAL in Dallas, JAARS in Waxhaw and Canada Institute of Linguistics in Vancouver.  In this visit, they had the opportunity to interact with our colleagues in US and Canada. The government officials expressed much appreciation on this trip.  The program was packed with information.  They were very impressed with expertise and IT programs that presented SIL's leadership in the technical arena. 

Director Cao Mengliang from Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission quoted "路遥知马力日久见人心", which means as distance tests a horses strength so does time reveal a person's real character; a long road tests a horse's strength and a long task proves a man's heart.  Time will show our true mettle as we partner closely with government partners as we show our worth and commitment to the task.

Director Li Xiaoyan from Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission Foreign Affairs Division expressed her desire to lead another team to learn from SIL and JAARS. The visit to the Alphabet Museum was the highlight for the government officials who visited JAARS. Director Li Xiaoyan commented that Director He Lifeng from Yunnan Provincial Minority Languages Commission should pay a visit to the museum to see the information is displayed in a very interesting way. Incidentally, Director He who should be in the visiting delegation could not come this round due to last minute reason. Director He is in-charge of putting a museum in their complex to show the diversity of languages in Yunnan province.

Deputy Division Chief, Mr Yuan Hongqiang Kunming Municipal Public Security Bureau Police Command Division said, “Volunteer work is not easy. But when you have successfully promote your work until it is recognized worldwide and United Nations agencies, you have come a long way.”

“Very good, close to perfection!! ” when we asked for feedback regarding accommodation, travel and events arrangement in JAARS. Another Public Security Bureau Associate Director commented this. “We now look at you differently. You are no longer a small organization with a few people. You have the capability to do the language work.”