The infinite creativity of mankind is the fundamental driving force for societal development over the millennia. Today, with each rapid iteration of scientific advancement, bursting and explosive new ideas and new technologies have led to significant restructuring of industries and profound transformation of societies. What confronts us in this era is how to address the unprecedented pace of advancement as our societies drive onto the superhighway of innovation.
Innovation empowers advancement and we experience improved lives as a result – from crafting stone tools to the invention of steam engines, from electric lights in dark nights to the worldwide web that connects the world. It is the innovative spirit that drives the constant exploration of “no man’s land,” crossing boundaries and expanding the possibilities for the betterment of human lives.
Innovation kindles civilizations as peoples of all kinds spark their unique and colorful brilliance in history, with each of these societies being enriched by the progress made possible by keeping up with the time.
Innovation also leaps, riskily, along with the development of societies. Each bursting spark of wisdom can light up the darkest night but it can also burn up the status quo. Today’s advancement of new technologies brings surging energies but also challenges traditional ethical orders and values. It is the power of civilization that always safeguards mankind during such transformations across time; hence it is most imperative to increase dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations in order to address the crises and changes brought on by the innovation era.
The first twenty years of the Beijing Forum have greatly facilitated substantive and meaningful collaborations in the fields of humanities and education worldwide. As we stand at this milestone embarking on the next twenty years, the Beijing Forum selects the annual topic of the Era of Innovation and Advancement of Mankind, aiming to continue the power of civilizations. Under the overarching theme of Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All, Beijing Forum strives to conduct academic exchanges with the principle of encompassing all while seeking advancement through innovation and reaching consensus through civilization. May the power of civilization, science and technology be the soaring wings that propel the mankind to an even better future.