On June 18, 2024, Dr. CHENG Henan from Columbia University's Teachers College delivered a lecture titled "From China to the World: The International Collaboration and Impact of Yan Yangchu’s Mass Education Movement". The lecture was hosted by IICE Professor TENG Jun.

Dr. CHENG used a wealth of historical materials to vividly present Yan Yangchu’s educational philosophy and practices. Born in Bazhong, Sichuan, Yan received traditional Chinese education before traveling to the United States to study at Yale University and Princeton University. With a perspective that transcended the elite, Yan focused on the masses and paid close attention to grassroots education. Rooted in the traditional Chinese foundation of "Put People First", he conducted over seventy years of hands-on fieldwork, earning the titles of the "Father of the World Mass Education Movement" and a pioneer in global rural development. It was precisely this concern for the common people that resonated with the social and cultural trends in the United States, which at the time were also focused on the education of the underprivileged. As a result, Yan's educational ideas were recognized and disseminated by cultural media such as Reader's Digest and Time Magazine, and charitable foundations such as the Ford Foundation. This helped Yan Yangchu gain significant influence in the West, and his work continues to offer profound insights for contemporary educational research.

During the discussion session, Dr. CHENG engaged with faculty and students on how to effectively tell China's educational stories, promote Chinese experiences, and expand international influence in educational research. She also provided specific suggestions on how to broaden international perspectives and combine local Chinese issues with educational theory.