On December 11, 2009 the Confucius Institute in Chicago was awarded “2009 Confucius Institute of the Year” in Beijing, China. This award was granted by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, commonly known as the Hanban, at the opening ceremony of the World Confucius Institute meeting at the Beijing International Convention Center. The award was presented by Madame Liu Yandong, State Councilor and Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Also present at the ceremony was China’s new Minister of Education, Mr. Yuan Guiren. The award was accepted by Robert Davis, Manager of World Language and International Studies Programs for Chicago Public Schools and Director of the Confucius Institute in Chicago. This is the third consecutive year that the Confucius Institute in Chicago has received this honor.