On 27th July 2024, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF) was invited as a keynote speaker at the International Conference on “Mutual Learning of Civilizations and Cultural Cooperation: The Practice of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind at Hilton Hotel in Xining City, Qinghai Province.
The conference was jointly organized by the Communication University of China, Beijing, China, and hosted by Qinghai Minzu University, Xining, China, aiming to pave the way for a future marked by mutual benefit and prosperity for all through uniting the global academic community to foster academic cooperation and drive the pursuit of a harmonious community founded on shared aspirations and goals.
The conference was attended by Chinese government officials, PhD scholars, national and international experts, and professors. Speakers delivered insightful analyses on strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, emphasizing the importance of mindful communication and cultural cooperation. They discussed the significance of a global community of shared future that promotes win-win cooperation, peace, and enhanced people-to-people connectivity.
The conference began with addresses by Ma Chengjun, Vice President of Qinghai Minzu University, and chief guest Haisheng Wei, former vice president of the Central Research Institute of Party History and Documentation, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as Prof. Li Huailiang, Dean of the Institute for a Community with Shared Future at the Communication University of China.
In his keynote address, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram highlighted China's vision of diversity, tolerance, and mutual learning among civilizations through peaceful and friendly interactions with different countries. He emphasized that respect for diversity and commitment to harmonious coexistence are central to ancient Chinese wisdom. He noted that the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) calls for enhanced inter-civilization exchanges and dialogue, aiming to build a global community of shared futures where open, innovative, and inclusive development benefits all.
Promoting harmony, inclusiveness, and respect for diversity through increased inter-civilisation exchanges is crucial for forging a path towards a shared future. This initiative, along with the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, has garnered international support as a significant public good provided by China. He emphasised that these initiatives align with the Belt and Road Initiative's goals of extending ancient exchanges along the Silk Road into a modern framework and fostering collaboration and cooperation among civilisations.
The conference epitomized international cooperation, bringing together over 200 experts and scholars from countries such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Rwanda, Italy, and others, fostering the collective spirit of a shared future. The conference serves as a significant platform in the region, highlighting the crucial role of intercultural dialogue in addressing diverse global issues and promoting harmony among various communities.