Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu

Today, I spoke to a class of Post Graduate Students and Supervisors studying law.  These students were most interested in how Non-Governmental Organizations are impacting social welfare in the United States.  We talked at length about Saint Francis Community Services.  I greatly enjoyed this experience.

Chengdu Municipal People's Procuratorate Presentation

Earlier this week, I met with two Chengdu Prosecutors.  The conversation was a good one.  While I did not know it at the time of our discussion, one of the Prosecutors was a high ranking official.  He was very kind to me and at the conclusion of our meeting, he asked if I would speak to all the Prosecutors of Chengdu about the juvenile systems in Kansas.  He said that he would call a special session for the sixty Prosecutors to hear my presentation.  I told him that I would be happy to do this. Yesterday, I studied both the Child In Need Of Care Code and the Juvenile Offender Code as I had brought multiple copies of each for distribution.  Today was the big day.  The Director of the Wuhou New Zone Youth Development Center drove Sunny and myself and others to the Chengdu Municipal People's Procuratorate.  This was a massive structure that looked similar to our Nation's Capital.  We were met as we pulled into the gate by the Prosecutor who I had met with and who had arranged the meeting.  Upon being ushered in, I was taken to the office of Chengdu's highest ranking Prosecutor.  We talked for about ten minutes regarding the similarities and differences between our respective child welfare systems.  After our discussion, I was led to the chamber floor and introduced to all the Prosecutors.  After that, I spoke from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.  During this time many questions were asked by the Prosecutors.  Sunny was my interpreter and she did a fantastic job.  After the presentation, we were escorted out and I returned to the New Zone Youth Development Center to prepare for my presentation tomorrow at the University for Post Graduate students and supervisors studying social work and the law.

Daily Walk to Work

Sunny took a picture of my daily walk to work.  It is most enjoyable.

Test Preparation

A good portion of today was spent preparing for my test tomorrow.  What test, you might ask?  Well, I will hold the answer to that question until tomorrow's post.

Meeting with Chengdu Prosecutors

Yesterday, I met with two Chengdu Prosecutors at the New Zone Youth Development Center.  We exchanged information on our respective Juvenile Justice systems.  I learned a great deal from these two gentlemen.

U.S. Consulate

At 3:30PM today, Sunny and I had a very productive and enjoyable conversation with Elizabeth from the U.S. Consulate here in Chengdu.  Elizabeth is the Cultural Affairs Officer for the U. S. Consulate. She asked many good questions and was very supportive of developing U.S. China relations.  I am grateful to her for giving us time to speak about the exchange of information going on during my visit specifically as it relates to child welfare law.  This is a photograph that Sunny took of Liz and I with the Kansas Code for Care of Children.

With a little help from my friends

Yesterday afternoon, Sunny said she was going to dinner with a friend and Sunny asked if I wanted to go.  I said sure and we went.  I had the best time meeting Sonny's friend and her family.  These folks were so kind and so was the wine.