LifeDialogues China
LifeDialogues is presently active in China through “Life-enlightenment – from Denmark to China” run by Ann Guo Skov.
The goal of the project is to bring the ideas of life-enlightenment from Denmark to China, and thereby support the Chinese people in their search for new ways to find quality of life.
Ann writes: When I first came to Denmark, I had many culture shocks. I saw that people here didn’t have the insecurity, distrust, and the fight for power, as I had known in China. Instead, people were laid back, they lived in the present moment, and they respected and trusted each other. It seemed so natural, as if it was in their genes. It made me take a deep breath and feel: Life doesn’t need to be so complicated, just be honest and be yourself.
I was lucky to get a job at Nordfyns Højskole (a Danish folk high school) as a translator. That gave me a chance to learn about Grundtvig and the concept of life-enlightenment, which again taught me why and how the Danish lifestyle is as it is. At the folk high school, I became part of a community; I was accepted and trusted as the person I am. I felt, I was seen, and through that I found my own value.
As a mother in Denmark I have experienced, how trusting my young children and their ideas helps them mature and learn to find their own way. In China “surface” or success is too important. Most parents don’t dare to trust their children like they do in Denmark. Success is measured by money, power, and societal recognition. That can make the road to quality of life shallow and long.
I experience many Chinese people who need inspiration and different views of the road map ahead. They really need meaningfulness and to regain the ability to hear their inner voice.
Online courses and physical exchanges
I arrange online courses and physical exchanges between China and Denmark in cooperation with LifeDialogues, the association Learn for Life and Nordfyns Højskole. My cooperators in China are educators, think tanks and life learning communities.
LifeDialogues is my personal community, and the concept of Home Folk High School – as described in the book “What you say, makes me think” – is the anchor in my work.
