The 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will convene in Qufu, Shandong Province, from July 9-10, 2025, bringing together over 500 global thought leaders to address humanity's most pressing challenges through cultural dialogue. Established in 2010, this biennial event has evolved into a vital platform for fostering mutual understanding between East and West.
This year's theme, "Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization," reflects China's commitment to preserving cultural pluralism while advancing sustainable development. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, the forum will explore solutions through four key lenses: the evolution of civilizations, Confucian philosophy's modern applications, family structures in social development, and AI's transformative potential.
Notable attendees include 300 international participants from 70+ countries – diplomats, UN representatives, and leading academics. The choice of Qufu as host city carries symbolic weight: birthplace of Confucius, it represents China's historical role as a cradle of philosophical thought.
For business leaders, the forum offers insights into China's cultural diplomacy strategy and its implications for international cooperation. Researchers will find value in cross-cultural analyses of technological ethics, while diaspora communities can engage with contemporary interpretations of traditional Asian values.
