Political officeholders and experts from around the world convened in Beijing on Thursday and Friday to engage in an in-depth dialogue on civilization, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and the exchange of ideas in a world grappling with uncertainties.
Under the theme of "Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development," the two-day Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting has attracted over 600 guests from around 140 countries and regions.
According to guests, the meeting has provided a vital platform to seek new paths for collaboration and strengthen mutual understanding.
"It can join people from different parts of the world, from different civilizations, to exchange the ideas, to understand the forms of life. And I believe that we'll have a positive issuance in the end to find a way for the complicated situations of the world and to find a way to work together, not to separate," said Andrey Tchorbanov, chairman of the Education, Science Committee of the National Assembly of Bulgaria.
Attendees also emphasized the need to build consensus through inter-civilizational dialogue, especially as the world faces growing uncertainties.
"I think it's the right forum, and the timing too is quite important. At a time when the world is in crisis, whether we like it or not. How do we treat each other? How do we value each other? That's quite important. And I think for me, the takeaway from this is to understand each other and to listen to each other. That's quite important for me," said Seedy Sheriff Ceesay, Administrative Secretary of the National People's Party (NPP) in Gambia.
"I think it will be a discussion of the pragmatic details and not only ideas but also practical instruments. How we can build up the security, how we can communicate in terms of ecology, economy and culture," said Timofey Bakhvalov, a Russian expert from the China International Communications Group.
Exchange of ideas to underpin positive outcomes at Global Civilizations Dialogue
