The 2021 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival and the 7th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations closed in Nishan, the birthplace of Confucius, on September 28th. After 30 panel discussions within two days, over 170 Chinese and international scholars reached “Nishan Consensus” (hereinafter referred to as Consensus), proposing to deal with current crises and dilemma through dialogue among civilizations. 

     The Consensus stated that the year 2021 is marked by changes unseen in a century, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, wars and conflicts are still going on, famines and diseases prevalent, and estrangement and antagonism deepening. However, people all over the world are yearning for a happy life with stronger aspirations. In this context, more efforts are needed to build a world of lasting peace and better life. Today, we gather in Nishan, Qufu, China to discuss “Dialogue among Civilizations and Global Cooperation”, to review common goals of mankind, carry forward common values of humanity, and highlight the shared future for mankind. It is our hope that dialogues among civilizations will help address current crises and dilemmas of the world.

     The Consensus said that people of different civilizations and ethnic groups, despite differences in skin color and language, share the same humanity and common goals. We all yearn for material wellbeing, need stable and harmonious interpersonal relationships, appreciate beautiful and lofty culture, and praise the kindness and selflessness of humanity. The common goals in pursuing a happy and beautiful life have been part of the glorious history of mankind, and contributed to colorful and diverse civilizations. A happy and beautiful life is the ideal that all human beings have been striving for since ancient times; it is also the fraternal bond connecting all mankind.

     The Consensus proposed that we stress the unity of freedom and self-discipline, and advocate the harmony between community and individuals as well as between public and private matters. We call for working together and helping each other, so that people can have what they need. We uphold the concept that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. We should fully draw on traditional wisdom to deal with current crises of the world. Peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom are the enduring and lasting common values of human society. Only by respecting common values of mankind can we ensure that the opportunities for self-realization are equal and the fruits of social development are shared by all.

     The Consensus proposed that different civilizations should open their arms, understand each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, learn from each other, eliminate barriers and prejudices, disseminate the concepts of peace and love, share the progress and achievements of human civilization and social development, and shape a better future for humanity.