Promoting Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations Through Academic Dialogue
China Social Sciences Net (Reporter: Gao Ying) — On July 11, the sub-forum "Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations and Scholarly Dialogue," part of the Ministerial Forum on Global Civilization Dialogue hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), was held in Beijing. Gao Xiang, President of CASS, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Hong Dayong, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee [1], attended the opening ceremony. Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS, presided over the session.
Gao Xiang stated that President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the Ministerial Forum on Global Civilization Dialogue fully reflects the high importance the Chinese government attaches to exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Written from a strategic height concerning the sustainable development of human civilization, the letter profoundly reveals the significance of civilizational exchange and mutual learning in promoting human progress and world peace, providing the fundamental follow-through [2] for global civilizational dialogue.
Gao Xiang pointed out that scholarly dialogue is a vital way to practice the Global Civilization Initiative [3] and enhance civilizational exchange. The more global challenges increase, the more necessary it becomes for experts and scholars from all countries to look back into the depths of history and culture to gain the wisdom to resolve contemporary difficulties, using intellectual rationality and the humanistic spirit to provide the "source of living water" [4] for the continuous progress of human civilization. He emphasized the need to fully excavate the historical experience of civilizational exchange and to tell the stories of exchange and mutual learning well. We must uphold correct outlooks on development, security, and order; continue to deepen research into the history of the Second World War; strengthen the peaceful ideals of people across all nations; and form a powerful ideological force to prevent and oppose war. Furthermore, we must systematically and deeply study the history, current status, and characteristics of modernization in various countries, strengthen the investigation of underlying patterns [5], and reshape the civilizational logic of the development paths of all nations. CASS is willing to work with experts, scholars, and people of insight from all countries through exchange visits and joint research to deeply implement the Global Civilization Initiative, jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity, and hand-in-hand draw a new blueprint for human modernization.
At the opening ceremony, several international figures delivered speeches: Jhala Nath Khanal, senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister of Nepal; Elina Akinaga Isaac, Minister of Education of the Federated States of Micronesia; Gloria Thomas, Minister for Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs of Grenada; Vansy Kuamua, Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos; Flavio Brandão de Araújo, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party’s Dili Branch and Vice Minister of Health of Timor-Leste; Keo Sopheak, Central Committee member of the Cambodian People's Party and Vice Chairman of the External Relations Committee; Nazrul Islam Khan, Standing Committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party of Myanmar; and Nicholas Morris, International Relations Officer of the United National Congress of Trinidad and Tobago. They stated that human history is a history of the development and interaction of civilizations. As the world faces numerous challenges today, the importance and necessity of civilizational dialogue are increasingly prominent. The Global Civilization Initiative calls for dialogue and cooperation, advocates mutual respect, and emphasizes inclusive development, gaining wide recognition and enthusiastic responses from the international community. All countries should actively practice the Global Civilization Initiative, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and enhance understanding and mutual trust to jointly promote world peace, stability, and development.
The forum featured two academic salons: "Promoting Mutual Learning among Civilizations through Scholarly Dialogue" and "Promoting Civilizational Progress through Knowledge Innovation." More than 100 participants, including party leaders, government officials, experts, and scholars from over 20 countries and regions—such as Australia, Portugal, Argentina, Honduras, and Nigeria—attended the meeting to conduct in-depth discussions on strengthening civilizational exchange and promoting world peace and development.