Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, Beijing
The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) took place on 15 May 2019 in Beijing, this conference aimed to reinforce regional cooperation and provide a platform for learning, exchanges, and intercultural dialogue for Asian cultures and beyond.
High representatives and heads of state and government, including those from Armenia, Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Singapore as well as UNESCO Director General attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The keynote speakers highlighted the importance of dialogue and exchanges among Asian civilizations and beyond, as well as the significance of their shared history and common heritage including those of the Silk Roads.
In this respect, the President of People's Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping, underlined that this Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations "creates a new platform for civilizations in Asia and beyond to engage in dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing to facilitate mutual learning".
President Xi highlighted the importance of the interactions in Asia, as these interactions between civilizations "have enriched each other and written an epic development". He elaborated also:
“Our forefathers in Asia have long engaged in inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning; the ancient trade routes notably the Silk Road, the tea road and the spice road brought silk, tea, porcelain, spices, paintings and sculpture to all corners of Asia, and they have witnessed inter-civilizational dialogue in the form of trade and cultural interflow.”
Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, who represented the United Nations at the opening ceremony, stressed the importance of the production and diffusion of research about the cultural and scientific exchanges along the Silk Roads for the promotion of dialogue. Ms Azoulay also highlighted the necessity of involving youth in this dialogue, giving the examples of the recently signed youth research grant, the International Youth Forums, and the artistic programs for youth such as the "Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads" photo contest that allows young people to share their vision of the Silk Roads through photography.
Within this conference, several panels were organised, including the parallel panel on "Safeguarding the Diversity of Asian Civilizations" organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, in close collaboration with UNESCO. The Vice-Minister of Education of China, UNESCO ambassadors, as well as international experts attended this panel to discuss the historical perspectives on the diversity of Asian civilizations; cultural interactions among Asian peoples including the common heritage of the Silk Roads; and the challenges of revitalizing Asian civilizations cultural diversity whilst promoting their commonalities. During this meeting, the panellists highlighted elements of the cultural heritage of the Silk Roads as the basis for dialogue among Asian civilizations, as well as the contribution of the Silk Roads to this dialogue.
One of the major outcomes of the conference was the signature of an agreement between UNESCO and government of China on "Reinforcing the Capacity and Contribution of Young Researchers to the Silk Roads". This project will offer research grants to young researchers inviting them to address specific issues related to the Silk Roads.
Moreover, within this meeting the "Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads" traveling photo exhibition was also displayed in the conference venue in Beijing.
