The Inter-Civilizational Communication and Global Development Forum commenced in Beijing on Tuesday, drawing the participation of approximately 150 experts from over 30 countries. This significant three-day event, hosted by the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is centered around the theme “tradition of civilization and paths to modernization.” The forum has brought together a diverse group of individuals, including politicians, entrepreneurs, think tank experts, scholars, cultural ambassadors, and diplomatic envoys, both from China and abroad, to engage in meaningful discussions on the interaction among civilizations and the broader topic of global development.
Xie Chuntao, vice president of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, explained that the forum aims to create an international platform for dialogue and exchange. This platform is intended to foster the sharing of ideas and collaborative efforts to enhance inter-civilizational learning and contribute to building a globally shared future for humanity.
Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, emphasized the importance of open and respectful dialogue between different civilizations and countries in her speech at the opening ceremony. She highlighted that such dialogue is essential for achieving consensus and cooperation on a global scale. Rousseff also noted the diversity of human civilizations and the varied objectives and development models followed by different nations, advocating against the imposition of a singular path in a multicultural world.
Herta Daubler-Gmelin, former German justice minister, pointed out the significance of people-to-people cooperation in the academic field, alongside economic and political collaborations. She stressed the dynamic nature of civilizations and the importance of transparency and openness in communication.
The forum also included discussions on China’s role in global development. John L. Thornton, chair emeritus of the Brookings Institution and co-chair of the Asia Society, referenced China’s State Council Information Office’s white paper titled “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions.” Thornton underscored the urgency of finding a guiding principle for the sustainable development of human civilization and praised China’s aspirations as outlined in the Global Civilization Initiative and Global Initiative.
The forum features three sub-forums focused on specific areas of civilizational exchange and modernization, including China-Europe, China-Central Asia, and China-Arab relations. Additionally, a round-table discussion is scheduled to further explore these themes. This gathering in Beijing represents a significant step in fostering dialogue and understanding among different cultures and civilizations, with the goal of promoting a more harmonious and cooperative global community.
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