Just as The UNESCO Courier magazine explores contemporary ideas through its pages, the Forum aims to nourish the debate on issues of international concern. On 15 April 2024, two panels of international experts discussed the historical dimension of the cultural exchanges along the Silk Roads, and intercultural dialogue and mutual learning in the contemporary world.
As Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhang Jianchun said in his opening remarks, it is necessary “to draw on the wisdom of civilizations…to communicate and cooperate to enhance mutual understanding”.
Other speakers at the event were UNESCO Deputy Director-General Mr Qu Xing, Mr Doudou Diène, former Director of UNESCO’s Division of Intercultural Dialogue, and Mr Zhao Tingyang, professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The event included an exhibit on the history of The UNESCO Courier, a display of children’s drawings, demonstrations of calligraphy and performances of traditional Chinese music and dance.
Dr David Abulafia, Professor Emeritus of Mediterranean History at Cambridge University, spoke of the impact of trade and the transport of objects across great distances, particularly by sea, which “greatly influenced artistic developments and religious ideas”. Roman coins found in Thailand, and ships carrying ceramics from China, such as a piece found in Egypt dating to 1000 AD, are “evidence of really exciting connections right across an enormous space”.
Dr Elena Paskaleva, Assistant Professor in Critical Heritage Studies at Leiden University, shared the importance of paper as a commodity and means of cultural exchange along the Silk Route.
“Paper was allegedly introduced to Central Asia by captured Chinese soldiers after the Abbasids (750–1258) defeated the Tang (618–907) at the Battle of Talas in 751, and the technology of paper production was perfected in Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in the world. Richly decorated Chinese paper was a precious commodity, and was used by calligraphers for the creation of the most exquisite Qur’ans produced in the East.”
Aya Medany, Olympic pentathlete, Champion for Peace: “I was in the Olympics in Athens in 2004 when I was only 14, and saw thousands of athletes from around the world. I have also participated in the Olympics in 2008, 2012 and in other competitions. I understood through this that sport is a tool for peace and dialogue. I have found that there are many intercultural problems not only between athletes from different countries, but also within a country. It is also important to work on cultural understanding within the same country.”
Other panellists at the Forum included Ms Susan Denyer, Senior World Heritage Advisor ICOMOS; Mr Zhao Shengliang, Chairman of the Academic Committee of Dunhuang Academy; Mr Euan Mackway-Jones, UNESCO; Mr Riccardo Pozzo, Chair of the History of Philosophy at Università di Roma Tor Vergata; Mr José Cassandra, former President of the Regional Government of Principe; and Mr Lyu Zhou, Director of the National Heritage Centre of Tsinghua University. The moderator was Mr Vincent Defourny, former Director of Public Information at UNESCO.
The Forum is a natural extension of the The UNESCO Courier, which serves as a ‘laboratory of ideas’ and a platform for intellectuals, experts and artists from across the globe. The Courier has been published for more than 75 years and is currently available in print and online in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Catalan and Esperanto. Podcasts are also available.
The Forum included performances of traditional dance and music from China.
The event was sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, supporter of The UNESCO Courier.
