Over 600 participants from around the world convened in Beijing this week for the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting. Under the theme “Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development,” the event emphasized the crucial role of cultural exchange in fostering mutual understanding and global harmony.
At the parallel sub-forums held on Friday, leaders and thinkers highlighted how drawing on the wisdom of diverse cultures can catalyze shared prosperity and spur innovation in cultural inheritance.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory message, emphasizing that dialogue is the path to peace. “Conflict, intolerance, and misinformation are pushing the world to the brink of fragmentation,” he noted. “In this context, the rich diversity of civilizations is a powerful force for mutual understanding and global solidarity.”
Former Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio expressed full support for China’s Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). He praised China’s commitment to peaceful development and its efforts to connect the world through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. “By proposing the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, China transcends hegemonic logic and embraces the diversity of civilizations,” he said.
Namibia’s former president, Nangolo Mbumba, reinforced this vision, emphasizing that Namibia and China’s enduring friendship is rooted in mutual respect and trust. He called on all countries to support the GCI, believing it will guide humanity toward a more inclusive, stable, peaceful, and prosperous future.
Belgium’s former Prime Minister Yves Leterme stressed the urgent need to strengthen dialogue among civilizations in today’s challenging times. He called for constructive dialogue to encourage cultural exchanges, eliminate barriers, and build consensus.
Roger T. Ames, a professor at both the University of Hawaii and Peking University, noted that civilizational dialogue offers an alternative to nation-state-centered geopolitics. “Instead of merely tolerating other cultures, we should activate our differences to make a difference for each other,” he said.
Simon Lichtenberg, Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, emphasized that mutual understanding and respect are fundamental to global development. “International exchanges and development require everyone to understand and respect each other,” he said.
Speaking on cultural inheritance, Salim AlMalik, director-general of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, described culture as the identity of a nation and its people. “We cannot understand the present, let alone shape the future, if we do not preserve our culture, especially that of the past,” he stated.
Su Bomin, dean of the Dunhuang Academy, urged greater efforts to protect cultural heritage by deepening research and embracing new technologies. “Cultural inheritance is how we pay homage to these legacies,” added Wong Foon Meng, former president of the Senate of Malaysia. “The most powerful innovations often emerge from a profound engagement with cultural heritage, reinterpreted in ways that resonate with new generations.”
The Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting showcased a collective commitment to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among nations. Participants agreed that embracing cultural diversity is essential for building a peaceful and prosperous global future.
