Chongqing -  On April 16th, the 3rd Global Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations, with the theme of Education and Civilization Exchange: Pathways to Mutual Learning and Shared Development, was inaugurated at the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilization of Southwest University. University leaders, scholars, and representatives from the education sectors of China and Greece gathered to engage in in-depth discussions, exploring practical pathways for China-Greece Higher Education Cooperation, as well as the future development of classical wisdom and global education.

Special Representative of the Ambassador of Greece to China delivers a speech (Photo/Xuelin Mu)

At the event, the Special Representative of the Ambassador of Greece to China, Deputy Representative of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago delivered the opening remarks. They spoke highly of the crucial role that the forum has played in promoting dialogues among civilizations and international cooperation in the field of education, and expected the expanding multilateral cooperative network.

The Sino-Hellenic University Alliance for Mutual Learning Among Civilizations was launched (Photo/Xuelin Mu)

The Sino-Hellenic University Alliance for Mutual Learning Among Civilizations was launched at the forum, which marks the cooperation between Chinese and Greek universities has entered a new stage of institutionalized and platform-based development, moving from bilateral interactions. Meanwhile, new publications standing for the important academic achievements were also released at the forum.

At the end of this event, participants reached a consensus, and they unanimously agreed that, in a time when the world is accelerating toward multipolarity and digital transformation, higher education is not only a vital driver of knowledge creation but also a key force in advancing civilizational dialogue and shaping the future of humanity. The Chongqing Initiative was formed as a result of this forum. 

Prof.Grigoris Zarotiadis from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki said that collaboration among cultures and universities can find progressive solutions to problems existing today by gaining mutual understanding and respect.