11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations kicks off

The 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will be held from July 9 to 10 in Qufu, Jining, Shandong province, bringing together global scholars to explore the interplay between cultural diversity and modernization.

In addition to the main theme of Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization, this year's forum will also delve into six key subtopics, including the origins of civilizations, the contemporary value of Confucian culture, and the impact of artificial intelligence on human civilization.

The forum's theme and topics have garnered enthusiastic responses from scholars worldwide, with over 150 academic papers submitted from more than 30 countries, said Zhang Tonghai, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shandong Provincial Committee.

More than 400 renowned experts and academics from across the globe will attend the event, participating in two keynote speeches, four high-level dialogues, and eight panel discussions centered on the forum's themes and topics, Zhang said at a news conference held by the Information Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government on Friday.

Nestled in the heart of Shandong's cultural heartland, Nishan hill, standing 340 meters tall and spanning 30 square kilometers, may seem modest in size, yet it holds profound historical weight. Known as Niqiu hill in ancient times, it is revered as the birthplace of Confucius, the preeminent philosopher and educator whose ideas have influenced the world.

The Nishan Forum has evolved into a vital platform for promoting traditional Chinese culture, addressing contemporary challenges in human civilization, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, said Zhang.