Beijing, China – Over 150 experts, leaders, and scholars gathered at Tsinghua University on Saturday for the 3rd Global Development and Health Communication Forum to discuss the crucial role of media in fostering empathy and equality worldwide.
In his opening remarks, Yang Bin, deputy dean of Tsinghua University, highlighted how technology, while reshaping lives at an unprecedented pace, has also widened global inequalities. “The media plays an essential role in changing this situation,” Yang said, emphasizing the need for media to bridge gaps and promote understanding across diverse communities.
Zheng Zhijie, chief representative to China at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the importance of empathy for human survival as a social species. “Empathy is key for us now to shape a healthy and equal world in the face of challenges we have never seen before,” Zheng stated, calling for collective efforts to address global issues.
Cui Shixin, deputy chief editor of People’s Daily, noted that “empathy is premised on knowledge, and knowledge is disseminated through communication.” He stressed that media is a powerful tool to foster shared understanding and bridge societal divides.
Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, discussed the pivotal role of digital technology in health communication. “Failing to spread accurate and scientific information may lead to more deaths as people may not recognize imminent threats,” Chatterjee warned, highlighting the responsibility of the media in disseminating critical health information.
Zhou Qing’an, head of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, identified three factors contributing to risks in global development and health agendas: lack of a shared vision, knowledge gaps, and scarcity of communication resources. He called for enhanced collaboration and resource allocation to address these challenges.
Adding an interactive dimension to the forum, this year’s event featured a virtual reality experience zone. Visitors were able to immerse themselves in Zambia, observing the interactions between frontline health workers and residents. The VR experience showcased how efforts on the ground are contributing to the global fight against polio, providing participants with a firsthand look at the impacts of health initiatives.
The forum underscored the media’s vital role in promoting empathy, disseminating knowledge, and fostering global equality. As challenges such as health crises and technological disparities persist, experts at the event called for sustained efforts to leverage media and communication as tools for positive change.
