The forum, held under the framework of the Global Civilization Initiative and recorded as a special edition of CGTN's The Power of Ideas, brought together leading sinologists and researchers from Russia, Türkiye, India, Canada and several African countries to explore how cultural exchange can help address global challenges.
Professor Xu Baofeng, Director of the World Center for Sinology at Beijing Language and Culture University, said dialogue among civilizations offers an effective response to growing geopolitical polarization.
"All civilizations are created equal," Xu said, urging countries to move beyond exclusive narratives and embrace the principle of seeking common ground while respecting differences to build a more inclusive international order.
Professor Daniel Alan Fried of the University of Alberta described civilizations as dynamic and evolving rather than static entities.
"A civilization is like a forest—a complex system defined by diversity, competition and symbiosis," he said, emphasizing that genuine cross-cultural understanding requires deeper engagement with the history and diversity of different societies.
The forum also highlighted the role of cultural exchange in strengthening international friendship. Iraqi translator and sinologist Abbas Jawad Kdaimy said civilizations grow stronger through the sharing of knowledge rather than competition.
Meanwhile, Joseph Oliver Mendo'o, head of the African Youth Delegation to China, stressed the importance of youth exchanges in fostering global unity. He said the Chinese concept of harmony and Africa's Ubuntu philosophy both promote cooperation and mutual respect.
"Civilization is not a wall that separates us, but a bridge that unites us," Mendo'o said, concluding with an African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
The forum concluded with an interactive discussion on strengthening international cooperation through dialogue, with participants reaffirming that mutual respect, cultural exchange and shared development remain essential to addressing common global challenges.

KPL