By JIANG SHIXUE*
Mutual learning between civilizations is important. China and Brazil belong to different civilizations. So they need to learn from each other.
As one of the greatest thinkers in human history, Confucius is known for many of his notable ideas, one of which is to promote mutual learning between civilizations.
The diversity of human civilization is the basic characteristic of the world and the source of human progress. Differences in ideology, social system and development models should not become obstacles to exchanges between human civilizations, much less grounds for confrontation. In the face of ongoing major changes, the need to further promote mutual learning between civilizations has become increasingly prominent.
First, mutual learning among civilizations helps promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. The ultimate goal of a community with a shared future for humanity is to establish partnerships based on equality and mutual understanding, create a fair and equitable framework built on shared development, pursue inclusive growth, promote harmonious yet diverse cultural exchanges, and build an ecological system that respects nature and supports green development.
Thus, it is clear that the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity aims at the well-being of all humanity. This concept encompasses both realistic considerations and a future-oriented vision. It not only paints a picture of a beautiful vision, but also provides practical paths and action plans. Indeed, this goal cannot be achieved overnight, but humanity must not abandon the courage and bravery to pursue it.
Second, mutual learning among civilizations helps promote globalization. Globalization is an inevitable path for human society, a requirement for the development of social productivity, and a natural result of technological progress. It also represents a trend toward a more unified world.
In this trend, the horizontal international division of labor is becoming more important, the allocation of resources is increasingly extending beyond the scope of nation states, and the interdependence between different countries is growing ever greater. Thus, globalization is transforming the world into a community of shared destiny, where the prosperity or adversity of one is linked to that of all.
However, in this process, nation-states have not disappeared, and differences in civilizations, ideologies, social systems and development models among them continue to exist. Moreover, along with the advancement of globalization, there is often a powerful and persistent backlash from anti-globalization movements that often cause trouble. Therefore, to ensure the continued progress of globalization, it is essential to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusion so that globalization continues to advance, strengthening civilizational mutual learning and overcoming differences between different national interests.
Third, mutual learning among civilizations helps maintain world peace. As globalization continues to advance, the world has become a global village, with the level of interdependence between countries continuously increasing. Although peace and development are the hot topics of the day, there are still many factors that hinder them from prospering in the world, and the “peace deficit” persists. Therefore, maintaining world peace and promoting global development remain the enduring dreams and aspirations of mankind.
The theory defended by Samuel Huntington in the book clash of civilizations It is undoubtedly flawed, but throughout human history, conflicts between civilizations have indeed led to war or other types of deadly confrontations.
Therefore, bridging the gaps and misunderstandings between different civilizations, approaching other countries and peoples with an attitude of equality and inclusiveness, abandoning notions of civilizational superiority, arrogance and prejudice, deepening mutual understanding and tolerance, and learning from each other while making joint progress are always essential methods for maintaining world peace and development.
The course of history repeatedly proves that without mutual learning between civilizations, distances and barriers will arise between individuals, nations and countries, thus increasing the difficulty of peaceful coexistence and increasing the risk of conflicts and wars.
Fourth, mutual learning among civilizations helps to defend and promote the shared values of all humanity. Peace, development, justice, equity, democracy and freedom are the shared values of all humanity. These shared values are not only the philosophical foundation of the community with a shared future for humanity, but also the noble goals of the United Nations.
They are the fundamental principles of the new international relations. They provide a value basis for building a community with a shared future for humanity and offer intellectual guidance for human advancement. They reflect the inevitable progression of human history from national to global dimensions and represent the greatest common denominator in the pursuit of progress by different civilizations.
The shared values of all humanity seek commonalities among different individuals, nations and countries. Furthermore, these shared values recognize the diversity and plurality of civilizations, and strive to bridge differences in ideology, political or social systems and levels of development. However, people living in different civilizations often have very different understandings of these shared values. Therefore, to promote these shared values, it is essential to advocate mutual sharing and learning.
Fifth, mutual learning between civilizations helps to highlight the diversity and distinctive features of human civilization. Diversity is a characteristic of nature and an essential attribute of human civilization. With nearly 200 countries and more than 2.500 ethnic groups in the world, people living in different regions have created a wide variety of civilizations due to differences in geography, climate, lifestyle, cultural traditions, and religious beliefs.
Thus, throughout history, the diversity of civilizations has been a fundamental characteristic of human civilization and a source of human progress. In other words, the diversity of civilizations creates opportunities for mutual learning and progress and highlights the value of civilization itself.
There is no doubt that in the foreseeable future, even if the world becomes more and more a global village, the diversity of human civilization is unlikely to disappear. Therefore, in order to preserve this diversity and highlight the distinctive features of different civilizations, countries around the world must uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusion. Through communication and mutual learning, they should respect each other, build on each other's strengths, embrace a variety of perspectives and coexist harmoniously.
Sixth, mutual learning between civilizations helps promote economic growth. International relations are built on mutual understanding between people, and this understanding depends on the connection between hearts and minds. This can be achieved by strengthening international cultural exchanges in various ways, such as trade in cultural and creative products. Various business opportunities and jobs can be created directly or indirectly, thus promoting economic growth and improving people's living standards.
For example, according to UNESCO statistics, in 2019, the export value of cultural and creative products closely related to civilizational mutual learning reached US$389 billion, accounting for 3,1% of the world's GDP. The number of employees in this sector constituted 6,2% of the global workforce. This demonstrates that mutual learning between civilizations not only promotes the development of spiritual civilization, but also drives material progress.
Seventh, mutual learning among civilizations helps promote global governance. Globalization is not the root cause of global problems, but as globalization advances, global problems do indeed continue to emerge. Persistent global problems such as climate change, environmental degradation, cybercrime, infectious disease outbreaks, terrorism, poverty and hunger have caused significant harm to humanity.
The solution to global problems lies in global governance. Since every country and every individual living in different civilizations is a victim of various global problems, it is natural and essential for every country and every person to actively participate in global governance.
It should be noted that different countries and individuals have varying understandings of global governance, and their perspectives on global governance may differ significantly. According to psychological principles, beliefs are closely linked to an individual's cognition, which is closely related to factors such as political systems, levels of economic development, social relations, and civilizations.
Therefore, in advancing global governance, promoting mutual learning among civilizations is one of the essential means to overcome cognitive differences in views on global governance. Only by minimizing these cognitive differences to the greatest extent possible can countries work together effectively in advancing global governance, pooling their efforts and continuously enriching the concepts and practices of global governance.
Last but not least, mutual learning between civilizations helps promote self-improvement and progress of human civilization. The world is home to a diverse range of civilizations. Each civilization has its own unique charm and profound heritage, and each is a spiritual treasure of humanity. Civilizations are not ranked by superiority or inferiority, but rather distinguished by their regional characteristics and differences.
Since all human civilizations are equal in value, each has its strengths and weaknesses, and therefore no civilization is perfect in every way, nor is any civilization entirely devoid of merit.
Human civilization requires equality as the basis for communication and mutual learning, which enables self-improvement and progress. The course of human history shows that as society advances, the need for enhanced mutual learning between civilizations becomes even more crucial. This is because civilizations become more vibrant through communication and more enriched through mutual learning.
On the one hand, diversity is a fundamental characteristic of the world and the essence of the charm of human civilization. On the other hand, each civilization in the world carries the spiritual heritage of different countries and peoples and has its own logic and needs. Therefore, different civilizations can only complement each other and enhance their mutual strengths through communication, further advancing the progress of human civilization.
In conclusion, mutual learning between civilizations is important. China and Brazil belong to different civilizations. So, they need to learn from each other.
*Jiang Shixue is a senior researcher at the Charhar Institute (China).
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