The 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations is set to kick off in Qufu, east China’s Shandong Province, on July 9-10, 2025. This exciting event will bring together over 500 guests, including around 300 international participants from more than 70 countries, all eager to explore ways to foster understanding among diverse cultures.
Since it began in 2010, the Nishan Forum has become a vital platform for global cultural exchange. It’s a place where people from all over the world come together to share ideas and find common ground. This year’s theme, “Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization,” highlights the importance of celebrating our differences while working towards a peaceful and modern world.
The forum will cover a range of interesting topics, like the origins and future of civilization, how Confucian ideas are still relevant today, global modernization, family and social development, and even how artificial intelligence might shape our future.
What’s the Nishan Forum?
The forum is named after Nishan Mountain, located about 30 kilometers southeast of Qufu. This area is famous as the birthplace of Confucius, a great Chinese philosopher and educator who lived over 2,500 years ago. Confucius taught about morality, social harmony, and the importance of education. His ideas, known as Confucianism, still influence people around the world today.
This year’s forum aims to show how Confucian values can help us tackle modern challenges and promote peace among different cultures. For example, one of the sessions will look at the connections between ancient Chinese and Egyptian civilizations, highlighting the shared wisdom of these two incredible cultures.
Building Bridges Between Cultures
Professor Yang Zhaoming from Shandong University said, “Through the Nishan Forum, a bridge has been built between China and the world, playing a unique role in promoting global cultural diversity.” Over the years, the forum has helped people from different countries and cultures understand and respect each other more.
Renowned American scholar Roger T. Ames, who will attend this year’s event, believes that talking about our different civilizations can help us see the bigger picture. “Embracing differences and engaging with cultural diversity fosters harmony,” he said. He thinks that by learning from each other, we can build a better world together.
Ames also pointed out that the world faces big challenges like climate change and resource shortages. He emphasized that by having open conversations and learning from each other, we can find solutions to these global issues.
China’s Efforts in Promoting Dialogue
China has been a strong supporter of cultural diversity and fostering peaceful relationships through mutual respect and learning. In March 2023, China introduced the Global Civilization Initiative, encouraging respect for different cultures, promoting shared human values, and strengthening international exchanges.
In 2024, the United Nations designated June 10 as the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations,” thanks to efforts led by China and other countries. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of different cultures and promote conversations between civilizations.
As the Nishan Forum gathers people from all over the globe, it’s an opportunity for cultures to unite, find common ground, and work towards a shared future for everyone.
