On August 15th, hosted by Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, and organized by Mencius Research Institute, China Mencius Institution, and the People’s Government of Zoucheng, Confucian Humanism and the 3rd International Youth Forum on Confucianism opened in Zoucheng, hometown of Mencius, in Shandong province.
Chen Lai, Dean of the Tsinghua Academy of Chinese Learning, Director of the Academic Committee of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, and Distinguished Scholar of Confucianism of Mencius Research Institute,attended the event and presided over the keynote speech. Wang Zhimin, Former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Shandong province, Distinguished Professor at Shandong Normal University,and Former Distinguished President of Mencius Research Institute, Guo Chengyan, Party Secretary and Deputy Director of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies (Secretariat of China Confucius Foundation)and Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of China Confucius Foundation, Dong Bo, Member of the Standing CommitteeandSecretary-General of CPC Jining Municipal Committee and Directorof Jining Municipal Publicity Department, and Yuan Yibin, Secretary of ZouchengPartyCommittee attended the event and deliveredspeeches. Chen Xiaoxia, Party Secretary and President of Mencius Research Institute, presided over the opening ceremony.
The Forumreceived nearly 200 academic papers submitted by young scholars from 10 countries and regions, including Germany, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the opening ceremony, the winners of the 3rd International Youth Forum on Confucianism were announced and the award ceremony was held.
The two-day 3rd International Youth Forum on Confucianismcarries the theme of “Confucian humanism”.Nearly 40 expert scholars from home and abroad, along with young scholars, engaged in in-depth discussions on academic issues such as the Confucian theory of humanism, the relationship between man and nature, human nature and Mencius thoughts, the development of Mencius studies, and Simeng School of Thought(the thoughts of Mencius and Zisi). The discussions cover an extensive range of subject areas and present sharp and inspired perspectives, making the Forum highly representative, innovative and relevant of the times. The Forum has set up a good platform for young scholars to exchange academic achievements and get in close contact with experts in Confucianism. It plays an important role in promoting the study of Confucianism and Mencianism, enhancing the profound development and inheritance of Confucian studies in various countries and regions, and facilitating the dialogue and exchanges among different civilizations. It has effectively enhanced the discourse power and influence of Confucianism in the world. (source from chinakongzi.org)
