When we talk about Belt and Road initiative this single mention brings us to remember and study the fascinating, grandiose and gigantic history of what is today the Chinese people gathered in its 10 million square kilometers and its thousands of years of history.
 
Silk and other goods such as cereals, salt, metals, wood, leather took an important growth from the V century before our era (A.de NE) But it was during the empire of the Qin between 221-206 and thanks to the widespread use from the horse-drawn cart that trade to other regions of south-east Asia strengthened, reaching India. The quantities of silk were important that everything seems to indicate that the Indian name of silk (Chinese or Cina) became known to indicate the country of silk, for which we can accept the origin of the word CHINA.
 
The China located at a distance of 16,000 kilometers as the crow flies from the region comprising the territories located south of the Rio Grande is what we call South America.
                     
Despite this great distance, there are very close ties that bind us to China. The theory on the origin of American man states that the Chinese crossed the Bering Strait and were descending through the American territory to the south and gradually populating the entire continent. The physical features very similar to those of the Chinese people that characterize in general all American aborigines confirm this theory, in addition to many other evidences.
 
Equally the emigrations during the recent centuries XVII and XVIII consolidate the presence and the influence of the China in our continent. If the Silk Road in Antiquity did not arrive directly to our continent, Chinese products did arrive via Spain and that is why Eldorado gold came to China thanks to these commercial routes. Since the presentation of the Strip and Silk Road Initiative by President XI Jinping in 2013, South America has been invited and incorporated into the large list of countries and international organizations that have since declared their commitment to the Initiative. In South America, most countries have signed memoranda of understanding and some free trade agreements with China. Chile was the first and proof of the goodness of this agreement is the dynamism that shows its economy and see how, today 90% of exports of cherries are directed to the Chinese market.
 
There are not enough countries to support and receive the benefits of this initiative. Still, both in the countries that are already cooperating and in those that have remained outside the Xi Jinping Initiative, the lack of knowledge of this is very great and this is where the U3A's are going to have to play a very important role . It is here, in our U3A's where we must form working groups that study, analyze and give knowledge of the principles, objectives, opportunities offered by the Initiative and the activities that have already been carried out in other countries.
 
From the beginning of the Initiative, it was not only aimed at creating the conditions to boost world trade and to seek the way towards the creation of an "open economy" by integrating all the processes of economic integration, investment and the realization of projects that generate growth. and well-being,Belt and Road Initiative, but also would impact many sectors of the economy and society. Therefore, the entire society had to be involved, especially the education, science and culture sectors.
 
As the construction of "a Strip and a Route" is open and inclusive by giving the countries of the world and international and regional organizations to actively participate in it, it is a great opportunity for us, from the member institutions of the AIUTA and especially from the group of members in South America, to contribute to this important Initiative.
 
A reflection group gathered in our university in which other institutions participate has decided to create a South American network in charge of studying, promoting and publicizing everything related to Belt and Road and especially the cultural exchanges and the cooperation of our institutions with others belonging to the AIUTA. For this, the South American Council of Belt and Road that has adopted the emblem that we are pleased to present on this occasion is being constituted.
 
It is a symbol that represents the world in which the I in gray means the Initiative. It is also noted that it contains the Roman numerals XXI, to symbolize that it is the most important initiative of the 21st century. Then we find a script that represents the Union of the two hemispheres, that is, the union of the whole world through the project of Belt and Road. The right part XI, is a tribute to the creator of this Initiative, President XI Jinping. The colors yellow, blue and red are present in the flags of many South American countries and in the red the Chinese flag is represented as a tribute to the driving force of the Initiative.
 
The AIUTA is undoubtedly the most important organization in the world that concentrates a millionth number of people in many countries that during its existence has allowed us to know and learn from our cultures, visit and exchange experiences in many aspects of life in each of the countries that have had the opportunity to hold international conferences, assemblies and meetings of the Board of Directors. The AIUTA is a very powerful vector to put at the service of the Strip and Route Initiative.
 
In the U3A's of the countries of South America that are already associated and cooperate with the support of the Initiative's resources, such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile carry out large projects that are part of the programs of the Initiative together with others we must undertake the following program:
 
1. Organize in each of the South American U3A's that are part of the AIUTA, a working group in charge of coordinating all activities aimed at achieving the objectives of education, culture, science and tourism of the seniors.
2. To develop projects of intergenerational integration in which we can transmit our best knowledge and experiences to the youngest, inviting our colleagues from other countries to participate in the education of the youngest.
3. Perform teleconferences through the use of technology platforms among the members of our institutions on specific topics.
4. Ensure compliance with the objectives set by UNESCO in the development of the Lifelong Learning Program (Learning Long Life).
5. Organize thematic meetings in which the members of our U3A's participate.
6.Propose study trips that combine university encounters, visits to centers of interest that are characterized by being original, innovative and of high cultural and scientific value.
Belt and Road is a great initiative that in recent times has allowed us in the countries of South America:
1. Study and discover the most recent universal geography.
2. Understand the challenges and challenges of the new structure of current geopolitics.
3. To understand how countries through educational, cultural, scientific, technical and sports exchanges can learn more and better and thus contribute to the harmony between nations and the progress of their societies.