The 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations took place from July 10 to 11 in Qufu, east China’s Shandong Province, under the theme “Traditional Culture and Modern Civilization.”
Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, welcomed scholars and thinkers from around the world to explore the relevance of ancient philosophies in today’s society.
In an effort to bridge cultures, CGTN Stringer visited South Africa to gather perspectives on Confucianism from locals.
Clea Schultz Mofokeng, a South African resident, drew parallels between the Confucian virtue of “ren,” or benevolence, and the South African concept of Ubuntu. “Both philosophies encourage kindness and recognize our shared humanity,” she said.
Another interviewee, Greta Frieslaar, expressed her admiration for Confucius’s advocacy for universal education. “Access to education for all is something I strongly support,” she noted. “It’s inspiring that Confucius championed this over 2,500 years ago.”
The exchange highlights the universal values that connect different cultures across time and space. The reflections from South Africa emphasize how ancient wisdom continues to resonate and find relevance in diverse contexts around the globe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
