Kids build multicultural bonds at BlueStar summer camp

As many multinationals struggle to overcome cultural differences, a Chinese company believes that kids can help solve the problem.

"We are one and the same family," chanted kids during a game at a Beijing summer camp organized by the China National BlueStar Co, a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina).

Starting from July 20, some 980 youngsters including 26 from outside China are participating in the 20-day program of 22 camps across the nation.

Aged from 8 to 15, they are sons and daughters of the company's Chinese and overseas employees.

As a large State-owned enterprise, BlueStar has nearly 30 subsidiaries across the nation and made several overseas acquisitions as the company went global.

Some of its recent takeovers include 2006 acquisitions of French company Adisseo and Qenos from Australia and Norwegian company Elkem in 2011. The overseas businesses generated almost half of the company's revenues in 2012.

The camp, which was offered only to Chinese youngsters in the beginning, became international in 2009 with the participation of children of the company's overseas employees.

"Kids are culturally more sensitive. It is easier for them to accept and adapt to cultural differences. Exchanges among them also facilitate cultural integration of corporate employees in different countries," said Ren Jianxin, general manager of ChemChina.

Li Huili, head of the program, said the curriculum is designed to promote personal growth, social responsibility, corporate awareness and understanding international culture.

"We aim to give children the opportunity to explore a new world, experience a different culture and make more friends," said Li.

This year's camp was held under the theme "beautiful earth, beautiful BlueStar and beautiful city". Leading educators and top university students have been recruited to instruct participants.

Li said the program will also aid parents in gaining a better understanding of the company.

"Some colleagues in our newly purchased overseas companies have little idea about BlueStar except that it is a Chinese enterprise. Their kids can tell them what the company, the Chinese and China are like when they finish the camp."

Chinese family

One measure to help foreign youngsters get to know Chinese life is to invite them to stay for a weekend at the homes of their Chinese friends.

From July 27 to 28, Yuan Xuening, 13, brought home 12-year-old Australian Allana White.

White said she noticed a difference even before they entered the home in Beijing.

"When Chinese kids go in the house they change into slippers but at my house you can just walk bare-footed."

In addition to making dumplings at home, the family treated her to the Chinese hotpot, took her on a tour of Nanluoguxiang, a traditional hutong area in downtown Beijing, and presented her with a panda doll.

White said she has even learned some simple Chinese words and phrases over the weekend.

White's elder brother came to China for the camp in 2011. She said she wanted to have a try when her brother told her of his experience in Beijing.

She said that as soon as she goes home, she will tell her friends the great time she had in China.

Some overseas employees also came to the camp as volunteers.

Among them was Marksym Chamula from Qenos, BlueStar's Australian acquisition.

The 29-year old electrical engineer shared information about household waste with youngsters, teaching them how to sort it for recycling as the camp kids listened attentively and answered his questions with enthusiasm.

"They had a very impressive performance, obviously. And despite cultural differences, they get along well. Look at them - they are hugging and holding hands."

Some 40 adults including volunteers like Chamula, university students, and professionals in psychology and healthcare, participated in the camp.

Many camp alumni from the 1990s are now college students or grownups. Some want to give back because they enjoyed their experience up to 20 years ago.

One is Zhu Ruoyu, 24, a postgraduate student majoring in logistics in the University of Plymouth in the UK.

Zhu, who served as an interpreter at the camp this year, said he was a participant every year when he was in primary school and that it was something that he looked forward to every summer.

Begun in 1989, the camp was originally organized to help corporate staff with childcare during the summer holiday.

In 1999, the company invited experts from Beijing's municipal education administration to help draw up a curriculum for the camp.

It also employed university students as teaching assistants and interpreters and brought in doctors to offer healthcare support.

Li said over the past years BlueStar spent 70 million yuan ($11 million) to hold the camp.

More than 10,000 Chinese and foreign youngsters have now enjoyed the activities free of charge.

As the camp gets better known across the country, an increasing number of parents are inquiring if they can pay for their kids to join.

Li said that it is unlikely because the camp is a benefit for staff and a non-profit activity.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn