Cultivating a New Generation with the “Great of the Nation” in Mind

Youth are the hope of the country and the future of the nation; if the youth are strong, the country will be strong. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC [1]1 The 20th National Congress of the CPC: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in October 2022, which set the direction for the Party and country in the New Era. expressed the earnest hope that youth in the New Era [2]2 New Era: The period since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, marked by Xi Jinping’s leadership and the formulation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. will “have ideals, dare to take responsibility, be able to endure hardship, and be willing to strive.” On the new journey, we must cultivate youth in the New Era to heed the call of the Party and the people, keep the “great of the nation” in mind, stand at the strategic height of national prosperity, national rejuvenation, and the people’s happiness, and consciously assume their missions and tasks. As educators in higher education, we must base ourselves on the overall strategic situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, grasp the general trend, dare to take responsibility, be good at taking action, continuously open up new prospects for ideological and political education in the New Era, cultivate a new generation with the “great of the nation” in mind, so that the younger generation can firmly advance with confidence, set great aspirations, cultivate great virtue, achieve great talent, and shoulder great responsibilities, becoming socialist builders and successors who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise.

青年是祖国的希望、民族的未来，青年强，则国家强。党的二十大报告对新时代青年提出了“有理想、敢担当、能吃苦、肯奋斗”的殷切希望。新征程上，要培养新时代青年听从党和人民召唤，心怀“国之大者”，立足国家富强、民族复兴、人民幸福的战略高度，自觉担当使命任务。作为高校教育工作者，要立足中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，把握大势，敢于担当，善于作为，不断开创新时代思政教育新局面，培养心怀“国之大者”的时代新人，使得青年一代坚定前进信心，立大志、明大德、成大才、担大任，成为德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人。

Forge the soul and educate people, cultivating believers who keep the “great of the nation” in mind. If the younger generation has ideals and a sense of responsibility, the country will have a future, the nation will have hope, and there will be a continuous and powerful force to achieve our development goals. We must stand at the starting point of the new journey, implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, and under the overall goal of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, guide youth to strengthen their faith in Marxism, their belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and their confidence in realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

铸魂育人，培养心怀“国之大者”的信仰者。青年一代有理想、有担当，国家就有前途，民族就有希望，实现我们的发展目标就有源源不断的强大力量。我们要站在新征程的起点上，落实立德树人根本任务，在全面建设社会主义现代化国家的总目标下，引导青年坚定对马克思主义的信仰、对中国特色社会主义的信念和对实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的信心。

To strengthen the ideals and beliefs of the new generation of the times, we must fully promote the spirit of historical initiative, enabling the new generation to grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to and apply the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through it, unswervingly listen to the Party and follow the Party, reject “involution” [3]3 Involution: A term popularized in Chinese youth discourse to describe a futile, competitive rat race where excessive effort yields diminishing returns., break through “lying flat” [4]4 Lying flat: A Chinese youth subculture term for opting out of societal pressures, such as intense competition for jobs and housing, by reducing ambition and consumption., and properly handle the relationship between ideals and reality, between the “small self” and the “great self.” Through the philosophical reflection on the “debate of the small and the great” as demonstrated by “nothing in the world is greater than the tip of an autumn hair, yet Mount Tai is small” [5]5 “Nothing in the world is greater than the tip of an autumn hair, yet Mount Tai is small”: A classical allusion from the Zhuangzi, used to illustrate the relativity of size and perspective in philosophical debate., to the value pursuit of “taking the world as one’s own responsibility” [6]6 “Taking the world as one’s own responsibility”: A Confucian ideal of social responsibility, often associated with the scholar-official Fan Zhongyan of the Song Dynasty., and then to the life choice of “sacrificing oneself for others” [7]7 “Sacrificing oneself for others”: A traditional Chinese moral virtue emphasizing altruism and selflessness., one can break free from the limitations of the “small self,” integrate the personal dream of the “small self” into the Chinese Dream of the “great self,” and use personal diligent exploration to drive the permanent struggle of society. Only then can one truly possess a national and familial mindset and achieve the realm of the “great self.”

坚定时代新人的理想信念就要充分弘扬历史主动精神，使时代新人把握好习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，坚持好、运用好贯穿其中的立场观点方法，坚定不移听党话、跟党走，拒绝“内卷”，破解“躺平”，处理好理想与现实、“小我”与“大我”的关系，通过“天下莫大于秋毫之末，而大山为小”所论证的“小大之辩”的哲理思考，到“以天下为己任”的价值追求，再到“舍己为人”的人生选择，摆脱“小我”的局限，将“小我”的个人梦融入“大我”的中国梦，用个人的躬耕求索带动社会的永久奋斗，才能真正拥有家国胸襟，成就“大我”的境界。

By enabling young students to deeply understand the Party’s century-long history of struggle, draw strength of faith from it, and strengthen their conviction to serve the people. Study the country’s development process, especially the history of humiliation and struggle since modern times, to enhance national pride and historical mission; through Party history learning and education, themed Party Day activities, and other forms, guide students to integrate personal pursuits with national development and national rejuvenation; strengthen faith through practice, using participatory and interactive teaching methods such as case analysis, role-playing, and social practice, encourage students to practice their ideals and beliefs through concrete actions in social services, volunteer activities, etc., and enhance their spirit of dedication and sense of social responsibility by understanding society and serving the people; through diversified educational methods such as aesthetic education and labor education, enhance students’ aesthetic taste and cultural quality; gather educational forces from all sides to achieve an integrated cultivation of “government—society—school—family,” jointly creating a good educational environment.

通过让青年学子深入了解党的百年奋斗史，从中汲取信仰力量，坚定为人民服务的信念。学习国家的发展历程，特别是近代以来的屈辱史和奋斗史，增强民族自豪感和历史使命感；通过党史学习教育、主题党日活动等形式，引导学生将个人追求与国家发展、民族复兴结合起来；通过在实践中增强信仰，以参与性、互动性的教学方式，如案例分析、角色扮演、社会实践等，鼓励学生在社会服务、志愿服务等活动中以实际行动践行理想信念，通过了解社会、服务人民，增强奉献精神和社会责任感；通过美育教育、劳动教育等多元化教育方式，提升学生的审美情趣和文化品位；汇聚各方教育力量，实现“政府—社会—学校—家庭”一体化培养，共同营造良好的育人环境。

Bravely shoulder the mission, cultivating dedicators who keep the “great of the nation” in mind. The new journey of the New Era has entrusted teachers of the people with a lofty mission, encouraging the vast number of teachers to vigorously promote the spirit of educators and make new and greater contributions to the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. We must keep in mind the original aspiration and founding mission of educating people for the Party and cultivating talent for the country, carry forward the selfless dedication spirit of being willing to be a “red candle” and gladly acting as a “human ladder” [8]8 Red candle and human ladder: Metaphors for the self-sacrificing role of teachers, who illuminate others (like a candle) or help students rise (like a ladder)., by truly learning, truly understanding, truly believing, and truly applying the Party’s innovative theories, maintaining clear thinking in the face of major issues of right and wrong, integrating the achievements of the Party’s innovative theories into classroom teaching, so that students can truly feel the truth charm of the Party’s innovative theories and the superiority of our country’s socialist system, guiding students to know not only the “what” but also the “why” and the “why it must be so,” thereby promoting the completion of the teaching goal of entering the mind and heart and fostering virtue through education.

勇担使命，培养心怀“国之大者”的奉献者。新时代新征程赋予了人民教师以崇高使命，勉励广大教师要大力弘扬教育家精神，为强国建设、民族复兴伟业作出新的更大贡献。我们要牢记为党育人、为国育才的初心使命，发扬愿做“红烛”、甘为“人梯”的无私奉献精神，通过对党的创新理论做到真学、真懂、真信、真用，在大是大非面前始终保持思维清晰，将党的创新理论成果融入课堂教学，让学生切实感受到党的创新理论的真理魅力和我国社会主义制度的优越性，引导学生知其然更知其所以然和所以必然，从而推动完成入脑入心、立德树人的教学目标。

Follow the laws of education and the laws of talent growth, vigorously pioneer and innovate, stand at the forefront of knowledge development, broaden the pattern, improve oneself, and display talent with the righteousness and sharpness of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, emulate the virtuous, respect the good, educate without ceasing, and write the educational life with great love, so that every student has the opportunity to shine in life. At the same time, we should also promote the Chinese nation’s tradition of respecting culture and valuing education, teaching without discrimination, and the spirit of ancient and modern educators who taught according to aptitude and taught tirelessly, enhance and cultivate one’s own spiritual cultivation, cultural bearing, and educational sentiment, with the research spirit of “turning a cold bench into a hot seat” [9]9 “Turning a cold bench into a hot seat”: A Chinese idiom meaning to persevere in patient, diligent study or research despite obscurity or lack of immediate reward., and the firm belief that “success need not be in my time, but success must have my contribution” [10]10 “Success need not be in my time, but success must have my contribution”: A slogan reflecting a selfless attitude toward collective achievement, often used in Party discourse., strive to become a “great master” who unifies the “teacher of classics” and the “teacher of humanity” [11]11 “Great master” who unifies the “teacher of classics” and the “teacher of humanity”: A reference to the ideal educator who combines expertise in subject matter (jing shi) with moral and personal guidance (ren shi), derived from Chinese educational tradition..

遵循教育规律和人才成长规律，大力开拓创新，站在知识发展前沿，以守正创新的正气和锐气放大格局、提升自我、施展才华，见贤思齐、崇德向善、育人不辍，用大爱书写教育人生，让每一个学生都享有人生出彩的机会。同时，还应该弘扬中华民族崇文重教、有教无类的传统和历代教育家因材施教、诲人不倦的精神，提升和涵养自身的精神修养、文化气度和育人情怀，以“把冷板凳坐热”的钻研精神，“功成不必在我、功成必定有我”的坚定信念，努力成为“经师”和“人师”相统一的“大先生”。

Continuously nourish the new generation of the times with fine traditional Chinese culture, meet their growing spiritual and cultural needs, encourage them to cultivate a solid cultural foundation, deeply appreciate the charm of national culture, strengthen cultural confidence, form a strong sense of national pride, and thereby obtain spiritual motivation to consciously assume the responsibility of inheriting national culture and realizing the great dream of national rejuvenation; strengthen patriotic education for students, by telling the country’s history, culture, and achievements, stimulate students’ national pride and sense of belonging. Hold various patriotic education activities, commemorative events, etc., to help students establish correct values, encourage students to closely integrate personal pursuits with national development and social progress, and cultivate their sense of social responsibility and dedication; set examples and models, publicize and promote the deeds and spirit of outstanding role models and dedicators who care about the family and the country, through commendations, rewards, and other means, motivate more students to learn from the models and become dedicators who keep the “great of the nation” in mind.

以中华优秀传统文化持续不断滋育时代新人，满足其日益增长的精神文化需求，促使其厚植文化基础，深入领略民族文化的魅力，坚定文化自信，形成强烈的民族自豪感，进而获得自觉担当民族文化传承责任和实现民族复兴伟大梦想的精神激励；加强对学生的爱国主义教育，通过讲述国家的历史、文化和成就，激发学生的民族自豪感和归属感。举办各类爱国主义教育活动、纪念活动等，让学生树立正确的价值观，鼓励学生将个人追求与国家发展、社会进步紧密结合，培养他们的社会责任感和奉献精神；树立榜样和典型，宣传和推广心系家国的优秀楷模和奉献者们的事迹与精神，通过表彰、奖励等方式，激励更多的学生向榜样学习，成为心怀“国之大者”的奉献者。

Carry forward the cause and forge ahead into the future, striving to be strivers who keep the “great of the nation” in mind. “If the youth are strong, the country will be strong. Contemporary Chinese youth are born at the right time; the stage for displaying their talents is extremely broad, and the prospects for realizing their dreams are extremely bright.” [12]12 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the 20th National Congress of the CPC. Currently, changes of the world, changes of the times, and changes of history are unfolding in ways unprecedented. The golden period of contemporary youth’s lives coincides precisely with the historical process of completing the great cause of rejuvenation. In the relay race of national rejuvenation, this sprinting leg will inevitably encounter many difficulties and obstacles, even stormy waves. The heavy responsibility of breaking through the “historical fjord” [13]13 Historical fjord: A metaphor for a narrow, challenging passage in history, suggesting a critical and difficult phase of national rejuvenation. has historically fallen on contemporary youth.

继往开来，争做心怀“国之大者”的奋进者。“青年强，则国家强。当代中国青年生逢其时，施展才干的舞台无比广阔，实现梦想的前景无比光明。”当前，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开，当代青年生命的黄金时期与完成复兴伟业的历史进程正相吻合，在民族复兴接力跑中，这段冲线的里程必然会有许多艰难险阻甚至惊涛骇浪，冲出“历史峡湾”的重任，历史性地落到了当代青年身上。

As university teachers, facing world changes, we should strengthen the innovative thinking of “adapting to the times and transcending conventions” [14]14 “Adapting to the times and transcending conventions”: A classical Chinese expression emphasizing innovation and flexibility in response to changing circumstances., promptly break out of fixed thinking patterns and “comfort zones,” strive to become cultivators of talent with specialized knowledge and creative abilities, promoters of overcoming difficulties, and innovative teachers with a sense of mission and creative ability, cultivating a large number of steadfast strivers, strivers, and fighters who actively conform to the trend of the times. We must take promoting national development and social progress as the fundamental starting point and destination, further tap and stimulate our own internal motivation in educational work, and cultivate a new generation of the times who possess broader historical knowledge, a broader historical perspective, and more vigorous historical confidence, using new ideas and new vitality to continuously lead the world forward.

作为高校教师，面对世界变局，应当强化“因时制宜、超越陈规”的创新思维，及时跳出思维定势和“舒适圈”，努力成为具有专业化知识和创造性能力的人才培养者、攻坚克难的推进者，成为具有使命感和创造能力的创新型教师，培养大批主动顺应时代潮流的坚定者、奋进者、搏击者。要以推进国家发展和社会进步为根本出发点和归宿，在教育工作中进一步挖掘和激发自身的内在动力，培养的时代新人，要具备更为广博的历史知识、更为开阔的历史视野和更为昂扬的历史自信，用新思想、新活力不断引领世界奋进前行。

By further deepening the ideological and political education of students, guide them to understand the overall situation of national development, and enhance their sense of identity and belonging to the country and the nation. Promote the spirit of patriotism, so that students understand that personal growth and success are closely related to the country’s prosperity and development; guide students to establish lofty life goals and ideals, encourage them to pursue higher levels of knowledge and skills, and contribute to the country’s scientific and technological progress and social development; by holding lectures, sharing sessions, and other activities, invite outstanding individuals to share their journeys and experiences, stimulate students’ enthusiasm for struggle; encourage students to participate in scientific research projects, innovation and entrepreneurship, and other activities, cultivate their innovative spirit and practical ability.

通过进一步深化对学生的思想政治教育，引导他们理解国家发展大局，增强对国家和民族的认同感与归属感。弘扬爱国主义精神，使学生明白个人的成长和成功与国家的繁荣和发展息息相关；引导学生树立远大的人生目标和理想，鼓励他们追求更高层次的知识和技能，为国家的科技进步和社会发展作出贡献；通过举办讲座、分享会等活动，邀请杰出人士分享他们的历程和经验，激发学生的奋斗热情；鼓励学生参与科研项目、创新创业等活动，培养他们的创新精神和实践能力。

As educators in the New Era, we must implement the key courses for fulfilling the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing talent, strive to become “great masters” of ideological and political education, continuously deepen the faith orientation of cultivating new-era figures in strengthening ideals and convictions, enrich and iterate the realm of dedication in cultivating new-era figures in bravely undertaking missions, gather striving strength amid unprecedented changes of the times and historical challenges, and cultivate more new-era figures who reassure the Party, love and dedicate themselves to the country, and shoulder heavy responsibilities for building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.

作为新时代教育者，要落实好立德树人根本任务的关键课程，争做思政“大先生”，在加强理想信念教育中持续深化时代新人培养的信仰导向，在勇担使命中丰富和迭代时代新人培养的奉献境界，在前所未有的时代变局和历史挑战中汇聚奋进力量，为强国建设和民族复兴培养更多让党放心、爱国奉献、担当重任的时代新人。

(The author is a Distinguished Research Fellow of the Shaanxi Provincial Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Dean of the School of Marxism at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology)

（作者系陕西省中国特色社会主义理论体系研究中心特约研究员、西安建筑科技大学马克思主义学院院长）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧