Beijing, on the Chinese mainland — The Fourth Global Development and Health Communication Forum recently wrapped up at Tsinghua University, gathering nearly 200 thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators under the theme "Communication to Rebuild Trust and Consensus." The event, co-organized by the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communication and the Xinhua Institute for International Communication Studies, coincided with the United Nations’ 80th anniversary and marked the final five-year push toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Bridging Divides Through Dialogue
Speakers highlighted that technological advances are only half the story—trust is the essential ingredient for collective global action. Zheng Zhijie, director of the Gates Foundation China Country Office, captured this idea succinctly: "Trust is the fuel, and communication is the spark that ignites collective action." His remarks set the tone for discussions on building a global trust ecosystem to end preventable deaths and eradicate extreme poverty.
Combatting Misinformation
UN Resident Coordinator in the Chinese mainland, Siddharth Chatterjee, and WHO Regional Emergency Director Dr. Gina Samaan joined via video, warning that misinformation remains one of the gravest threats to global trust. Chatterjee cited the UN Global Risk Report 2024 and called for communication rooted in shared humanity and empathy. Samaan celebrated the Global Development and Health Communication Center’s entry into the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network and introduced the "WHO BRIDGE" framework as a tool for community education and risk communication.
Looking Ahead to 2030
With the clock ticking on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, participants explored data-driven strategies and storytelling techniques to engage diverse audiences. From grassroots campaigns to digital platforms, the forum underscored that every conversation can be a stepping stone toward consensus and coordinated action.
As the world faces complex challenges, the Tsinghua forum reminded us that bridging global divides starts with listening, empathizing, and speaking with clarity. In the years ahead, sustained trust-building through transparent communication will be key to turning shared goals into shared realities.
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Tsinghua forum: Communication is key to bridging global divides
cgtn.com
