“How Can Comparative Education Give Hope in Difficult Geo-Political Times?” by Professor Ruth Hayhoe, University of Toronto

The Faculty hosted the Distinguished Lecture “How Can Comparative Education Give Hope in Difficult Geo-Political Times?” on July 7, 2025. Sponsored by the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, the lecture was delivered by Professor Ruth Hayhoe from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

In his opening remarks, Professor Yang Rui, Dean of Education, praised Professor Hayhoe’s lifelong contributions to the field of comparative education and the profound impact of her work in demonstrating the role of education as a force for global harmony. Professor Yang also highlighted the value of comparative education in fostering inclusivity and interconnectedness during times of uncertainty.

In the lecture, Professor Hayhoe explored how the principle of Harmony in Diversity, deeply rooted in Chinese civilisation, can offer hope in today’s challenging geo-political climate. Drawing on examples from Chinese history, she advocated for understanding and respecting differences, rather than attempting to resolve contradictions, as a pathway to cultivating harmony and coexistence in a diverse and complex world. Professor Hayhoe also introduced recent publications in comparative education that examine respectful and ethical approaches to managing comparison, and stressed the role that comparative education plays in global citizenship. She emphasised the importance of prioritising the public good and nurturing a global knowledge society, instead of focusing solely on a global knowledge economy.

In the dialogue session, Professor Hayhoe engaged in a dynamic discussion with three discussants: Professor Yang Rui, Dean of Education; Professor Liz Jackson, Associate Dean (Research); and Professor Lili Yang, Assistant Professor in the Faculty’s Academic Unit of Social Contexts and Policies of Education. Facilitated by Professor Lili Yang, the dialogue addressed the significance of understanding history and embracing diversity in this era of division.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where Professor Hayhoe and the discussants offered insightful perspectives on the audience’s questions and reflections, exploring how comparative education can pave the way for a more hopeful world.

The video recording of this lecture is now available on our website: https://web.edu.hku.hk/event/detail-page/lecture-july2025