Dr. Li Ruohong and Dr. Marielza Oliveira, Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing Office

Dr. Li Ruohong, President of China World Peace Foundation (CWPF) and Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation (BJIPCF) and Dr. Marielza Oliveira, Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing office, held a productive meeting recently on pragmatic matters of the cooperative project between the two parties – “Interactive Atlas of Cultural Interactions along the Belt and Road” (Interactive Atlas) and the Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dr. Li Ruohong introduced to Dr. Marielza Oliveira the joint launch of the Interactive Atlas project by CWPF, BJIPCF, and UNESCO headquarters. During the Expert Meeting on the Development of an Interactive Atlas of Cultural Interactions along the Silk Roads, experts and scholars defined the scope, structure, targets and themes of the Interactive Atlas and ways to demonstrate items such as: science and technology; music and other arts; language and literature; religion, spirituality, rituals and celebrations; food production and preparation, gastronomy and costume, via online platforms and by traditional means. The two parties exchanged ideas on plans for a joint project, the “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads” Photo Contest.

Dr. Li Ruohong and Dr. Marielza Oliveira also discussed ways to mobilize the five nations in Northeast Asia (China, South Korea, DPRK, Japan, and Mongolia) to further cooperate and become more interconnected. Special projects combining each of the nation’s unique cultural elements can promote cross-civilization dialogue, which will engage the youth and touch the world.

A meeting was held at the UNESCO Beijing Office

Dr. Marielza Oliveira emphasized the significance of UNESCO’s cooperation with the foundation. She said that when Mr. Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Ms. Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, they made special mention of the cooperative Interactive Atlas project between UNESCO and CWPF & BJIPCF, regarding it as a special contribution of the United Nations to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Dr. Marielza Oliveira also said that it was exciting to know so many interesting and meaningful new projects proposed by the foundation, which would offer new opportunities for future cooperation. The Interactive Atlas is a flagship project reflecting in-depth cooperation between China and the international community. She hoped that the two parties would maintain close contact, influence governments, mobilize enterprises, and promote world peace.