Background
It is noted in the I Ching, or Book of Changes, a Chinese ancient classics, that “maintaining Taihe will help develop everything smoothly.” That said, Taihe stands for a supreme harmony. Such harmony can be achieved through coordination and collaboration among all things and the unity of their nature. Taihe symbolizes the ancient wisdom of life which guides people to rediscover the true meaning of their world. The purpose of Taihe is to obtain continuous wisdom and momentum through the creation of common values.
Nowadays, lack of Taihe seriously challenges contemporary human civilizations. Rapid technological development, climate change and environmental degradation, uneven wealth distribution, and geopolitical tensions are some of the significant threats undermining our common values and civilizations. Human civilizations may fall into the abyss without gathering wisdoms and taking actions.
Objectives and Participants
The Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) has been initiated to engage global leaders of all fields in supporting "the harmonious development of common values and the advancement of human civilization." The TCF focuses on global and regional challenges, explores root causes, identifies and promotes possible solutions, as well as facilitates communication and impacts creation across borders.
Forum Principles
The TCF follows four principles to define the research agenda, guide its work and actions, and effectively contribute to the overall Forum objectives:
• Impartiality: maintaining a diverse, open, also rigorous mindset and aligned actions;
• Globality: fostering international participation and collaboration;
• Foresight: focusing on far-reaching trends and long-term solutions;
• Impact: transforming insights into actions and impacts.
Previous Event Review
The first Taihe Civilizations Forum was held in Beijing from August 25th to 27th, 2017, focusing on advancing human civilizations and developing common values. Approximately one hundred leading experts from business, governmental, international organizations, and academic sector gathered together to discuss on the topics such as people-to-people exchange, climate change and sustainable development, and artificial intelligence.
Keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of 2017 TCF included:
Boping GU, member of the National Committee of CPPCC, and the Chief Cultural Scholar of Taihe Institute;
Thorsten Jelinek, Director of the European Center of Taihe Institute;
Hailong WU, President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs;
Stephen Orlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations;
Hongjun YU, former Vice Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee;
Cheng Li, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center and Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy program at Brookings Institution;
Liru CUI, Senior Advisor and Researcher of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations;
Yifan DING, former Deputy Director of the Institute of World Development, Development Research Center of the State Council.
About 2022 TCF
The sixth Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) will be held from September 3th to 6th, 2022. This forum will continue the theme of “Science Culture · Future Ethics · Common Values”, where we will gather for an in-depth discussion on these critical topics.
Since its foundation in 2017, the forum has become an influential international exchange platform bringing together approximately 800 leading experts from, among many others, governmental and academic sectors from China and abroad. The forum provides a constructive environment for extensive, in-depth, and forward-looking discussions on a number of important issues, such as the continuing development of a harmonious and sustainable human society.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic is not under complete control, the forum will be held online in order to facilitate a convenient and safe attendance of all participants. The 2022 TCF will comprise three sessions: Education and Culture, Advanced Technology, International Relations.
Sub-session on Education and Culture
High-quality economic development is inseparable from high-quality technical personnel. Cultivating diverse talents, inheriting technical skills, improving worker quality, and promoting employment and entrepreneurship are essential connotations of vocational education. This sub-session will focus on "High-Quality Vocational Education and High-Quality Economic Development."
Topic 1: Promoting High-Quality Vocational Education and Employment.
To promote high-quality economic development, we need to prioritize boosting employment, which is a key driver of economic growth, give full play to the role of micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in employment, expand the real economy, create more higher-quality jobs, double down on vocational education and skills training, improve worker quality, and prevent large-scale unemployment risks. How should we implement the new requirements of the Vocational Education Law and scientifically understand the profound connotations, fundamental tasks, and main contradictions of the high-quality development of vocational education? Can the existing vocational education reform ameliorate the employment situation? How can we balance the urgent needs for jobs and the forward-looking needs for emerging industries?
Topic 2: High-Quality Vocational Education and Rural Revitalization.
The key part of the rural revitalization strategy is to promote high-quality and high-efficiency agriculture, improve livability and employment in rural areas, and help farmers live a well-off life. The agricultural boom is underpinned by technology, industry, and culture. To this end, we need to pay special attention to the cultivation of well-educated farmers who can adapt to the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. What kind of people do we need to bolster the development of new industries and business formats? How can we improve the quality of vocational education in developing the county economy? How do we cultivate local technicians and skilled talents in rural areas, and how do we help young people who are willing to stay in the countryside with their personal development? How should social forces support the development of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers?
Sub-session on Economy and Technology
Carbon peak and carbon neutrality have become shared global goals, due to the threats of climate change.
They are set to bring a series of profound changes to: resource extraction, logistics, manufacturing, lifestyles, and governance, and the political, economic and social structures they have rested on.
Under the theme of "Relying on Technology and Innovation to Create a New Zero-Carbon World," the Sub-session on Economy and Technology will look into the: reform and development of state-owned enterprises, carbon credit finance, low-carbon innovations and technology, ESG technology, and management innovation, etc.
Topic 1: Carbon Finance Innovation and Metrics. How can Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Goals Be Measured and Achieved?
This topic will focus on how to finance carbon peak and neutrality. What financial instruments are available and what needs to be created?
Topic 2: Key Low-Carbon Innovations and Technologies.
This topic will focus on the key technologies for energy conservation and carbon emission reduction, as well as ways to fast-track the innovative application of related technologies.
Topic 3: The Top-Level Mechanisms and Policy Designs for Achieving Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Goals.
This topic will explore the appropriate coordination and guarantee mechanisms, and favorable policies for achieving carbon peak and neutrality.
Sub-session on International Relations
Topic 1: Great Power Competition, Regional Cooperation, and Asia-Pacific Security and Development.
In terms of development, the Asia-Pacific is the world's most promising region, but the region's geopolitical environment is increasingly complex and difficult to read.
Great power competition has increased the complexity of the Asia-Pacific region's security and development. The situation has become increasingly delicate and sensitive, embracing both risks and opportunities.
How can the parties concerned agree on essential dialogues, improve communications, and jointly explore pathways to promote security, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific?
Topic 2: The Changing European Security Landscape and Its Impact on the International Order.
The security situation in Europe presents new crises and challenges. Its evolution has aroused widespread concern in the international community, but also concerns about the direction and future development of the international order. The competition between major powers has intensified, increased and complicated the variables involved in the world's politics, economy, security understandings and structures.
How these crises can be resolved, while maintaining regional peace, stability, and promoting the construction of a benign international order, has become a topic of heated discussion, which we intend to explore.