Peking University, Apr. 26, 2011: The Beijing Forum 2011 is to be held from November 4 to 6 in Beijing, with the theme of “The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All — Tradition and Modernity, Transition and Transformation.”

The schedule was announced as Peking University (PKU) and the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS) signed an agreement for the annual forum.

The signing ceremony was held at PKU Tan Siu Lin Center for International Studies on April 25, 2011. PKU President Zhou Qifeng and KFAS President Kim Jae Youl signed the agreement on Beijing Forum 2011 on behalf of the two sides respectively.

Signing ceremony for Beijing Forum 2011

In his address, President Zhou Qifeng first extended a cordial welcome to President Kim Jae Youl and other representatives of the KFAS and expressed his gratitude for their long-term effort and support of Beijing Forum. He pointed out that the signing ceremony was “an important moment in the development of Beijing Forum and is definitely another milestone in its history.” Over the past seven years, Beijing Forum has lived up to all expectations and has become a noted international academic forum. With both distinctive features and a defined position among other international conferences, it has made a great contribution to the promotion of Eastern cultures, by encouraging academic exchanges and dialogues among many cultures. He also expressed his confidence in Beijing Forum and said that PKU is determined to hold a better forum this year.

President Zhou Qifeng addressing the agreement signing ceremony

Kim Jae Youl reviewed the period of past ten years in which Beijing Forum had become a reality from an ideal and thrives to an academic brand. He pointed out that the main theme “The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All” showed a strong sense of how Beijing Forum recognized its position in modern history, to guide the future development of mankind through integration of Eastern and Western civilizations. He spoke highly of the annual theme — “Tradition and Modernity, Transition and Transformation” and thought that it corresponded to the current international situation and featured the significance of the traditional values of Eastern civilization. In addition, he expressed his belief that Beijing Forum 2011 would contribute both wisdom and intelligence to the future development of mankind. 

KFAS President Kim Jae Youl addressing the agreement signing ceremony

During the ceremony, Yan Jun, secretary-general of Beijing Forum, delivered a report on the preparations for Beijing Forum 2011. He stated that at present the preparations for Beijing Forum 2011 are going exactly to plan.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Li Yansong, vice president of Peking University. Professor Wu Zhipan, executive vice president of PKU; Professor Chi Huisheng, vice chairman of PKU Council; and Professor Yang Kaizhong, secretary-general of PKU attended the signing ceremony.

Also present at the ceremony were Xia Wenbin, director of the Publicity Department; Cheng Yuzhui, vice dean of Asia-Pacific Research Institute and editor-in-chief of Journal of Peking University; Chen Zhenya, director of the Overseas Exchange Center; Geng Qin, deputy director of Office of Humanity and Social Sciences; Gu Xue, executive vice secretary-general of Beijing Forum; Xu Baiyu, vice secretary-general of Beijing Forum; Zhang Lin, director of Office of News and Publicity, the Publicity Department; and representatives of the panel sessions.

Background Info:  

Approved by the State Council of China and the Chinese Ministry of Education, Beijing Forum is an international forum co-sponsored by PKU, Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, and the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies. Since its inception in 2004, Beijing Forum has been held for seven consecutive years and over 2700 outstanding scholars have attended the forum. It has become one of the most important world class forums in humanities and social sciences.

Beijing Forum 2011 is scheduled to be held on November 4 to 6 in Beijing, with the theme of “The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All — Tradition and Modernity, Transition and Transformation.” More than 300 noted scholars from around the world will come to Beijing and conduct heated discussions in various forms, such as panel sessions, round table conferences, workshops and dialogues.

Photographed by: Zhang Yuping
Edited by: Arthars
Source: Beijing Forum Secretariat