Caleb M Fundanga: The importance of multi-cultural awareness and
language learning
Opening remarks by Dr Caleb M Fundanga, Governor of the Bank of Zambia, at the signing
ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bank of Zambia and the
Chinese International School in Zambia, Lusaka, 22 December 2010.
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The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Zambia, H.E Mr. Li Qiangmin
The Chairperson - Chinese International School in Zambia, Mr Li Tie
The Deputy Governor Administration - Dr Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula
The Deputy Governor Operations - Dr Austin Mwape
The Principal - Chinese International School in Zambia, Mr. Tan Haitao
Distinguished Teachers from the Chinese International School in Zambia
Colleagues from the Bank
Members of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great delight, on behalf of the Bank of Zambia, to welcome you all to this
important signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bank
of Zambia and the Chinese International School in Zambia. The MoU that we are about to
sign today provides a framework for the provision of Chinese language lessons to members
of staff at the Bank of Zambia.
Your Excellency, the Bank of Zambia attaches great importance to the need for staff to
learn other international languages. In the process of both economic globalization and
diversity of culture, language has become more and more important. Multilingualism is
important in our world today not only in terms of communicating and advancing in the global
economy, but also in order to understand other cultures. It is important because we need to
know more about other nations' cultures and history to improve world relations. In this
regard, in October 2004, the Bank entered into an agreement with the Embassy of the
Republic of France for the provision of French lessons to members of staff. To date several
members of staff have benefited from this programme and can comfortably speak, write and
understand the French language.
the importance of China on the world economy cannot be
Ladies and Gentlemen,
overemphasized. With the sustainable development of the Chinese economy and the
increasing promotion of the status of China in the world, particularly the China's access to
the World Trade Organization, the successful hosting of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the
World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, it is imperative to understand the Chinese language owing to
its important role in business and trading. There is therefore a need for people to understand
Chinese culture, economy, politics, and the lives of 1.3 billion Chinese people.
Furthermore, the rapid growth of the Chinese economy has entailed greater demand for
primary commodities like copper. Coupled with this, the demand for manufactured goods
from China has increased in a number of countries including Zambia. The level of Chinese
investment pouring into the country has also significantly increased while the Chinese
community in the country has continued to grow following the rising number of Chinese
investments in Zambia. The level of interactions between Zambian businesses and those
from China has therefore significantly increased.
However, the obvious and notable obstacle to the smooth conduct of business transactions
and interactions between the people of our two countries has been the language barrier.
Many a time, communication between our people has been through the use of interpreters.
Reliance on interpreters can be very inconveniencing, ineffective and costly. This barrier can
be overcome by learning the Chinese language.
It is against this background that the Bank has taken keen interest in launching this MoU.
The principal objectives of the MoU are to:
a) establish a framework in which the Chinese International School can facilitate
capacity building in learning the Chinese language among BOZ employees;
b) promote multi-cultural awareness and appreciation of a diversity of languages
necessary for Bank staff to transact effectively and efficiently in social and
professional fora which require the usage of Chinese; and
c) enhance opportunities for bi-and or multilateral co-operation between the Bank and
relevant Chinese-speaking authorities and stakeholders.
It is therefore our hope that the MOU we are signing today will assist in not only fostering
stronger trade relationships between Zambia and China but to also avail our staff a multi
cultural awareness which would assist them both in their official work and in developing their
social networks. We also hope that staff will have opportunities for higher education in China
and other South East Asian countries where the Chinese language is spoken. Allow me to
mention here that, already three bank employees are currently pursuing Phd programmes in
China under the Chinese Government scholarship programme. With the introduction of this
initiative, it is my hope that more of our staff can be offered scholarships to study in China.
In conclusion, let me appeal to the members of staff who will be enrolled on the programme
to take the course seriously bearing in mind the resources that the bank is investing into this
undertaking. To this effect I urge the human resources department to enrol employees who
are committed to learning the language. I also wish to thank the Chinese International School
in Zambia for accepting our proposal and we look forward to a further cooperation with other
Chinese institutions in order to foster the relations of our two countries.
Lastly, I want to thank you, Your Excellency, for finding time to witness this great occasion.
I thank you all for your attention.