Second Ancient Civilizations Forum kicks off in Bolivia

2018-07-16     Source：China Daily

Yu Qun (third from right), member of the leadership of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, attends the Second Ancient Civilizations Forum held in La Paz, Bolivia, on July 13, 2018. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Yu Qun, member of the leadership of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, visited Bolivia with the Chinese government cultural delegation and attended the Second Ancient Civilizations Forum held in La Paz on July 13.

Attendees at the forum included the Bolivian foreign minister, Greek foreign minister, deputy foreign minister of Iran, deputy foreign minister of Armenia, and representatives from nine countries including Peru, Egypt, Iraq and Italy.

Yu addressed the forum. He advocated for firm cultural self-confidence, the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, and a harmonious, diverse and eclectic exchange of civilizations. He also suggested contributing Chinese wisdom to the future development of the forum, and proposed pragmatic cooperation to provide vitality for the sustainable development of the forum.

Yu said cross-construction must be practiced and cooperation under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative should be sought. All the countries should strengthen dialogue and consultation and coordinate positions on multilateral platforms such as UNESCO. Yu also said that China will actively consider hosting the Third Ancient Civilizations Forum in 2019.

Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni Mamani said today's world faces many challenges. Through the platform of the Ancient Civilizations Forum, new value could be given to ancient civilizations and a way to solve today's world problems could be found.

Yu Qun, member of the leadership of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, gives a speech at the Second Ancient Civilizations Forum in La Paz on July 13, 2018. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

He advocated adhering to the concept of "harmony between man and nature" and "harmonious development" as well as establishing a multipolar and diversified new world order through dialogue. He pointed out that national development must first achieve identity and respect the ancient wisdom of the same line, which will provide long-term impetus for development.

The participants responded to the theme of "Millennium Culture in the Present Age" and expounded on various topics. These include promoting dialogues and mutual understanding among civilizations, strengthening cultural relic protection, enhancing the influence of the forum and cooperating with UNESCO. Everyone unanimously signed and adopted the Tiwanaku Declaration.

The declaration advocates for the establishment of a normalized dialogue and cultural cooperation platform to strengthen civil dialogues and publicity for forum-related activities to expand its influence and consolidate the foundations of a multipolar and multicultural world. After a unanimous vote, Armenia officially became a new member of the forum.

The Ancient Civilizations Forum was jointly initiated by China and Greece, inviting countries with original cultural characteristics to participate. Through dialogue and exchanges, the forum aims to revitalize historical civilizations and traditions in the development of contemporary society and to play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and tolerance among different civilizations, races and religions. The first forum was held in Athens, Greece, in April 2017.