The Fifth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations was held in Qufu, Shandong province, on Sept 26-27, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, and the Shandong provincial government and sponsored by the Jining city government.
This forum echoes the spirit of 19th CPC National Congress, implementing the deployment requirements set forth in the report of the 19th CPC National Congress on strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries and drawing on the strengths of other civilizations, according to the council of Nishan Forum.
More than 260 experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions attended the forum, “Integration of civilizations toward a community with a shared future for mankind”. They discussed the integration of civilizations and ways to build a community of shared future for mankind, offering suggestions for peaceful and orderly development.
“It is a matter of inevitability for civilizations to integrate and connect with each other and eventually form a long-term goal -- a community of shared future for mankind,” said Xu Jialu, former vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and chairman of Nishan Forum’s council, in his forum address.
Gerrit W. Gong, a Rhodes scholar from Oxford University said in a speech that the important initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping “encouraged us to respect each other and to have such exchanges and dialogues, so that we can expand the foundation of our communication”.
John B. Cobb Jr, fellow of the National Academy of Humanities and Sciences in the United States, stated that “Confucian thinking emphasizes harmony. The norm of harmony tends to call for acceptance and solidarity. The call for harmony tends to strengthen community.”
"How to recognize and treat the civilization of different countries and nations is an increasingly important issue mankind is facing," said Zhang Chunxian, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. "China's excellent traditional culture, including Confucianism, can provide rich ideological and cultural support for the integration of different civilizations."
Jaime Vatter, president of St. Thomas University in Chile, said that the Confucius Institute had played a positive role in promoting understanding and integration between different civilizations.
Long Yongtu, former secretary general of Boao Forum and vice-chairman of Nishan Forum’s council, compared the Boao Forum focusing on economy with Nishan Forum highlighting culture, and said economy and culture are connected and inseparable. Both forums adhere to the concept of openness, inclusiveness and innovation, he added.
“Building a community with a shared future for mankind needs to be carried out comprehensively in political, economic and cultural fields,” said Chen Lai, president and professor of Chinese Learning of Tsinghua University, “the perspective of culture and civilization is crucial among them.
Menerel Chimedtseye, professor and dean of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Mongolia, believes that a civilization should be inclusive and all civilizations are equal. “The Belt and Road Initiative, just as Confucianism, not only belongs to China. It belongs to the world,” he said. “It is not only about economic cooperation, but also cultural exchanges.”
The Fifth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations was held in Qufu, Shandong province, on Sept 26-27, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, and the Shandong provincial government and sponsored by the Jining city government.
This forum echoes the spirit of 19th CPC National Congress, implementing the deployment requirements set forth in the report of the 19th CPC National Congress on strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries and drawing on the strengths of other civilizations, according to the council of Nishan Forum.
More than 260 experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions attended the forum, “Integration of civilizations toward a community with a shared future for mankind”. They discussed the integration of civilizations and ways to build a community of shared future for mankind, offering suggestions for peaceful and orderly development.
“It is a matter of inevitability for civilizations to integrate and connect with each other and eventually form a long-term goal -- a community of shared future for mankind,” said Xu Jialu, former vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and chairman of Nishan Forum’s council, in his forum address.
Gerrit W. Gong, a Rhodes scholar from Oxford University said in a speech that the important initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping “encouraged us to respect each other and to have such exchanges and dialogues, so that we can expand the foundation of our communication”.
John B. Cobb Jr, fellow of the National Academy of Humanities and Sciences in the United States, stated that “Confucian thinking emphasizes harmony. The norm of harmony tends to call for acceptance and solidarity. The call for harmony tends to strengthen community.”
"How to recognize and treat the civilization of different countries and nations is an increasingly important issue mankind is facing," said Zhang Chunxian, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. "China's excellent traditional culture, including Confucianism, can provide rich ideological and cultural support for the integration of different civilizations."
Jaime Vatter, president of St. Thomas University in Chile, said that the Confucius Institute had played a positive role in promoting understanding and integration between different civilizations.
Long Yongtu, former secretary general of Boao Forum and vice-chairman of Nishan Forum’s council, compared the Boao Forum focusing on economy with Nishan Forum highlighting culture, and said economy and culture are connected and inseparable. Both forums adhere to the concept of openness, inclusiveness and innovation, he added.
“Building a community with a shared future for mankind needs to be carried out comprehensively in political, economic and cultural fields,” said Chen Lai, president and professor of Chinese Learning of Tsinghua University, “the perspective of culture and civilization is crucial among them.
Menerel Chimedtseye, professor and dean of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Mongolia, believes that a civilization should be inclusive and all civilizations are equal. “The Belt and Road Initiative, just as Confucianism, not only belongs to China. It belongs to the world,” he said. “It is not only about economic cooperation, but also cultural exchanges.”
