The 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations recently took place from July 10 to 11 in Qufu, Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius. With the theme \"Traditional Culture and Modern Civilization,\" the forum attracted global thinkers to discuss the integration of ancient philosophies into today's world.
Representing South Africa, Clea Schultz Mofokeng highlighted the Confucian virtue of \"ren\" or benevolence, drawing a parallel to the local concept of Ubuntu, which emphasizes kindness and community support. \"Ubuntu encourages us to be kind to others, much like the Confucian idea of benevolence,\" Mofokeng explained.
Another South African participant, Greta Frieslaar, emphasized the importance of education, aligning her views with Confucius' long-standing advocacy for universal access to learning. \"Confucius championed education over 2,500 years ago, and I believe universal access to education is still crucial today,\" Frieslaar stated.
The participation of South African voices at the forum underscores the universal relevance of Confucian values and their resonance across different cultures. By bridging traditional philosophies with modern ideals, the Nishan Forum fosters a global dialogue on building a harmonious and educated society.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
